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Religion in the Middle East

The Middle East is very religiously diverse. The three major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, are interconnected and each originated within the Middle East. Islam in its many forms is by far the most heavily represented religion in the region though many branches and sects diversify and segment it. In addition to the widely acknowledged religions, smaller, minority religions such as Bahá'í, Druze, Yazidi, Mandean, Gnosticism, Yarsanism, Shabakism, Zoroastrianism are also prevalent throughout the Middle East.

Islam
Islam is the most widely followed religion in the Middle East. About 20% of the world’s Muslims live in the Middle East. Islam is monotheistic believing in Allah and follows the teaching of the written sacred text, the Qur’an. Islam is believed to be an extension of Judaism and Christianity with the belief that Muhammad is the true prophet. A major source of conflict in the Muslim Middle East is the divisive nature between the two main sects of Islam: Sunni and Shi’a. Sunni is the largest branch of Islam and dominates most countries in the Middle East. Shi’a has its largest populations in Iraq (60-65%), Iran (90-95%), Lebanon (45-55%), Yemen (30%) and Bahrain (65%) and is generally scattered otherwise. Shias make up the majority of the Muslim population in Iran (around 90–95%), Iraq (around 60-65%) and Bahrain (around 65%). Minority Shia communities are also found in Yemen (30%) of the Zaydi sect, Turkey are of the Alevi sect (10-15%), Saudi Arabia (10%), and Syria (15%). Though these two sects agree on the fundamentals of Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an, they are in conflict about who would lead the Muslim community after the Prophet Muhammad’s death. The Battle of Siffin was a significant schism between the two sects. Throughout the years, other differences have arisen between practices, beliefs and culture. Many conflicts between the two communities have occurred.

Judaism
Judaism is concentrated in Israel. There are few other countries in the Middle East with a significant Jewish population, but there are small, scattered populations. Even Israel’s population is only 77% Jewish (17). The main text of Judaism is the Torah, the Hebrew bible. It is a monotheistic religion with a belief in the God of Creation, Yahweh (15). Judaism was also founded in the Middle East. One of Judaism’s foundational ideals is that God ensured the Jews a Promise Land, modern Israel, if they followed the guidelines delineated in the covenant. At the heart of the Israeli-Palestine conflict is this Jewish belief of ownership of the Israeli land. Judaism still awaits a messiah to come that will bring the age of peace.

Christianity
Similar to Judaism, Christianity in the Middle East has a scattered presence. Lebanon, with 39% Christian population, and the United Arab Emirates, with 10%, and Jordan, 6%, have the largest Christian populations in the Middle East (17). Christianity also lays claim to Israel as a Holy Land for its religion and has its origin in the Middle East. Christianity is a monotheism that believes Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God, was the messiah. The Hebrew bible is referred to as the Old Testament and is interpreted as prophecy for the coming of Jesus.

Bahá'í Faith
Within the Middle East, Bahá'í has noteworthy representation in Iran, United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Turkey. Founded in Iran in 1863, the Bahá'í Faith is one of the youngest world major religions. Baha’u’llah, a young Iranian, was the founder who called himself The Bab. He claimed that another of God’s messenger descendent from Muhammad, Moses, and Jesus Christ would be coming soon. The Bahá'í Faith is founded on the principle that each of the world’s religions has truth. In the line of prophets of the past and to come, God’s message will continue to be revealed; this is the Bahá'í Faith’s idea of progressive revelation. Another aspect of the ideal of common truth, is unity in Bahá'í faith. The Bahá'í Faith holds that all people must feel united with one another with a goal of improving all of humanity. According to most encyclopedias, in the early 21st century there are estimated between 5 and 6 million Bahá'í across the globe. Second to only Christianity, the Bahai Faith is considered one of the most geographically diverse religions spreading across the globe to every country except North Korea and Vatican City.

Druze
Druze, or Druse, is a monotheistic religion found in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Representation ranges from 100,000 in Israel, to 700,000 in Syria. Developing from Isma’ilite teachings, Druze incorporates Jewish, Christian, Gnostic, Neoplatonic and Iranian elements. It is a strict monotheism, they call themselves muwahhidun, meaning monotheists. The Druze prohibit all conversation to and from the religion. Much of their practices and beliefs are kept secret from outsiders and even within the faith only an elite group called the uqqal (“knowers”) are fully aware of Druze practices. Even if asked what religion a member is in the context of persecution, a Druze is able to directly deny his faith. Their doctrine is called the hikmah. They are thought to be one of the only lasting groups who believe that the sixth caliph of the Fatmid dynasty of Egypt, al-Ḥākim bī Amrih (“Ruler by His Own Command”) will return after centuries of hiding and bring in a golden age.

Yazīdī
Yazidi, Yezīdī, Azīdī, Zedī, or Izdī is found in Iraq, Syria, and Iran. It is a fusian of Zoroastrian, Manichaean, Jewish, Nestorian Christian and Islamic elements. They do not see themselves as descendent from Adam and maintain complete segregation from the rest of the population (5). They number fewer than 100,000 and worship a main divinity called Yazīdī is Malak Ṭāʾūs (“Peacock Angel”).

Mandeanism
There are between 60,000 and 70,000 Mandaeans worldwide and within the Middle East they are found in Iraq and Iran. They reject Jesus of Nazareth and view Christianity negatively, but are worshipers of Adam, Abel, Seth, Enosh, Noah, Shem, Aram and especially John the Baptist. It is a form of Gnosticism without a true religious doctrine and, instead, a focus on common heritage.

Gnosticism
In the Middle East region, Gnosticism is practiced in Egypt, Syria and Iraq.

Shabakism
There are about 60,000 Shabak people living today all in northern Iraq. They are an ethnic group with a religion similar to orthodox Islam and Christianity. The Shabak have much in common with the Yazidis.

Zoroastrianism
In the Middle East, Zoroastrianism is found in central Iran. Today, there are estimated to be under 20,000 Zoroastrians in Iran. It is one of the oldest religions as it was founder 3500 years ago and for 1000 years was the most powerful religion in the world. Now, however, it is considered one of the smallest religions with only 190,000 followers worldwide. There are two deities: Azhura Mazda, who fights for a person’s goodness, and Ahriman, who fights for a person’s evil. It is ultimately up to the individual to decide which deity they will follow. Zoroastreans follow the Avesta which is their primary sacred text.

Countries

 * I will be adding more to these sections. Each of the country sections will include religious demographics (as below) and tensions between them and any relevant info about the countries. This is where the 6 academic sources will be used.

Egypt
Egypt Islam (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, Christian 1%, other 6%

Iran
Iran Islam 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%); Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2%

Turkey
Turkey Islam (mostly Sunni) 99.8%, other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Iraq
Iraq Islam 97% (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), Christian or other 3%

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Islam 100% (17)

Yemen
Yemen Islam (including Sunni and Shiite), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu

Syria
Syria Islam (Sunni) 74%; Alawite, Druze, and other Islamic sects 16%; Christian (various sects) 10%; Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Israel
Isreal Judaism 77%, Islam 16%, Christian 2%, Druze 2% (2003)

Jordan
Jordan Islam (Sunni) 92%, Christian 6% (mostly Greek Orthodox), other 2%

Lebanon
Lebanon Islam 60% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite/Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite, Melkite, Syrian, Armenian, and Roman Catholic; Greek, Armenian, and Syrian Orthodox; Chaldean; Assyrian; Copt; Protestant), other 1%