The Lebanese Student Association is an organization aiming to unite and serve the Lebanese community on campus while educating the general student body of the University of Michigan about Lebanese culture and society. The association is committed to benefiting the Lebanese, the non-Lebanese and the non-Arabic communities while promoting Lebanese culture and heritage, thus adding to the diversity of the campus, as well as increasing public awareness about Lebanese.

In order to gain a better understanding of the occasions that LSA members celebrate and the events we put on, we'll try to give you an overview of Lebanon's culture and people. This is no easy task in and of itself. The tiny country that nests the eastern Mediterranean coast is an eclectic mix of several cultures, religions, landscapes, and the product of a rich and ancient history.

Lebanon is home to 5 million people, although it is estimated that there are 15 million more Lebanese expatriates all over the world. The country's official languages are Arabic and French.  English, Armenian, and Greek are also widely spoken and understood. Many Lebanese in fact speak a combination of these five languages. Virtually all Lebanese are at least trilingual, with Lebanese, Arabic, and English or French.

Because the French ruled Lebanon for half of a century, it is curiously different from any of the Arab states. In fact, it is commonly known as the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. Lebanon gained it's independence from France on November 22, 1943, a proudly celebrated date for all Lebanese people inside and outside of the country.

The mosaic of religions in Lebanon adds another dimension to the diversity of the country. There are 18 different religious sects: Alawite, Armenian Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic, Copts, Druze, Evangelical Christian (incl. Protestant groups such as Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists), Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Isma'ili, Jewish, Maronite, Roman Catholic, Sunni, Shi'a, Syriac Catholic,  and Syriac Orthodox.

Of all Arab countries, Lebanon is the most religiously diverse and has the most equal proportion of Muslims to Christians. It is commonplace to see elaborate celebrations in Lebanon on Christmas, Eid, Easter, and Ramadan.