6 facts about religious hostilities in the Middle East and North Africa
In 2014, the median level of religious hostilities in the Middle East and North Africa reached a level four times that of the global median.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
In 2014, the median level of religious hostilities in the Middle East and North Africa reached a level four times that of the global median.
Israeli Druze make up roughly 2% of the country’s population and live mostly in the northern regions of the Galilee, Carmel and the Golan Heights. Their tradition dates back to the 11th century and incorporates elements of Islam, Hinduism and even classical Greek philosophy.
Harassment and attacks against religious minorities continue in many countries there, and hostilities against Jews in particular have been spreading.
Of the 64 countries in this category, about half have Christian symbols (48%) and about a third include Islamic religious symbols (33%).
Here’s a region-by-region look at where religious harassment takes place, and to which groups.
As of 2012, at least 17 nations have police that enforce religious norms. Religion police forces are most common in the Middle East and North Africa, and are also found in the Asia-Pacific and in sub-Saharan Africa.
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