[24][3], Religiously motivated violence is present in some countries, particularly ones that have a high level of political instability or active insurgencies.[25][26]. The constitution of Niger prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of religion and worship consistent with public order, social peace, and national unity. [36], Religious leaders are also involved in managing the country's wealth. Muslim, Catholic, and Protestant groups operate primary and secondary schools, in which representatives of religious groups give religious instruction. [35] However, some policies favor Islam in practice. [23][38] The constitution also forbids religiously-based political parties in Article 6. Syria could not be included due to the difficulty of access. pop 2,000[49]) historically would rely on sympathetic government clerks to get their ID cards marked with either a dash, "other", or Bah. [18] For certain civil cases, such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, where all parties involved are Muslim, the constitution provides for special qadi courts to adjudicate based on Islamic law. Pewforum.org. There exists a minority of Ibadi who mostly resides in the M'zab Valley region. Africa: prevalence of Christianity by country 2023 | Statista Those who do not fulfill the requirement forfeit their position. [61] Protestant and Muslim groups have alleged that the government discriminates against them. While some time limits are officially imposed on public religious activities, Evangelical Christian groups often hold activities outside the prescribed period without government intervention. The religious curriculum focuses on Christian teachings but also incorporates comparative studies of Islam, Hinduism, and traditional beliefs. 24 June 2019 Arabs are increasingly saying they are no longer religious, according to the largest and most in-depth survey undertaken of the Middle East and North Africa. [2], The constitution of the Gambia guarantees and protects the freedom of religion in Articles 17, 25, 32, 33, and 212. There is no state religion. Members of other religious groups combined constitute less than 1 percent of the population and include a small Christian community, a small Sufi Muslim community, and an unknown number of Shia Muslims. 5 Ousmane Kane, "Moderate Revivalists: Islamic Inroads in Sub-Saharan . Almost all of the population are practicing Sunni Muslims, although there are a few non-Muslims. Laws of inheritance are principally based on requirements in sharia, but there are some provisions that allow for exceptions as outlined in the Code of Personal Status. [24], The imams and administrative staff of the principal mosque in the capital city of Conakry, and the principal mosques in the main cities of the four regions, are government employees. [5], While the study of Islam is not compulsory in public schools, the tenets of Islam are sometimes taught in conjunction with the Arabic language in public schools at the middle school level. During World War II, Morocco fell under the Nazi-backed Vichy Regime, which attempted to deport the Jewish population to concentration camps. Application of Sharia by country - Wikipedia [78] Requests to make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha national holidays have been made since 1995, and have not been implemented. The finding is one of a number on how Arabs feel about a wide range of issues, from women's rights and migration to security and sexuality. [1], The constitution of Tunisia establishes that Islam is the state religion of Tunisia and requires the president to be Muslim, but also provides for the freedoms of belief, conscience, and religious practice. [11], Atheists or irreligious people cannot change their official religious status, thus statistically they are counted as followers of the religion they were born with. Understanding Sharia: The Intersection of Islam and the Law [63][64], The constitution establishes Qadi courts, with Muslim judges trained in the Islamic legal tradition for matters pertaining to marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance for Muslims. Private schools may provide religious instruction. PDF Islam in Africa [36], The government indirectly monitors Muslim activities through the pro-government High Islamic Council. The Prophet said: " The fire of Muslims should not be seen with the fire of polytheists. [7], The constitution of Ethiopia codifies the separation of religion and the state, establishes freedom of religious choice, prohibits religious discrimination, and stipulates that the government will not interfere in the practice of any religion. [95] Despite this, in the past few years, religious leaders have raised concerns about polemical and aggressive proselytization by Christian and Muslim fundamentalist groups, which have been further characterized as a foreign influence. People of the Book are looked upon by Muslims as God-fearing, God-loving, and God-conscious. . [8] [29] The study found more Muslims in the United Kingdom or France than in Lebanon and more in Russia or China than in Syria. Lester [ 14 ] reviewed research in Muslim countries and found that the suicide rate was consistently lower in countries where Islam was the predominant religion, which has been further confirmed . The Grand Mufti's position is attached to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, and he advises the Government on matters of Islamic faith and ensures that Islamic laws are respected. [60], The constitution and laws protect religious freedom in Eswatini, but "minority religious groups enjoy fewer protections under traditional laws and customs, which include traditional courts and the authority of approximately 360 chiefs", according to a U.S. State Department report on religious freedom. Missionary groups are present and operate without impediment. [25], South Africa is a secular democracy with freedom of religion guaranteed by its constitution. Religious groups other than Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims must register with the government. [24], The Guinean government's Secretariat of Religious Affairs aims to promote better relations among religious denominations and ameliorate interethnic tensions. [24] It has been reported that in the town of Dinguiraye, a holy city for African Muslims, public celebration of non-Muslim religious holidays or festivals are not permitted. BBC Arabic are covering this subject all this week. The government also prohibits open-air, public proselytization events due to stated safety concerns. Conversion from Islam to another religion has been socially unacceptable in all areas of Somalia. It grants religious groups autonomy in and the right to teach their religion. Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Religion and Society". Islamic Finance - World Bank Group Since 2013, the number of people across the region identifying as "not religious" has risen from 8% to 13%. [19] By law all faith-based organizations must register with the government to acquire legal status as an association, and the government monitors groups to ensure that they operate within the terms of their registration. Arabs are increasingly saying they are no longer religious, according to the largest and most in-depth survey undertaken of the Middle East and North Africa. In every place questioned, research suggested at least one in five people were considering emigrating. article 2 of the Egyptian constitution (starting from Constitution of 1971, and all following ones (2007, 2012 and 2014)), Lawrence, Bruce B. The government of Zanzibar appoints Muslim religious officials in Zanzibar. Individual cases of religiously motivated violence have occurred against both Christians and Muslims. These countries make up the rest of the "developing world"; they include all the non-Muslim-majority countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia-Pacific (excluding Australia, Japan and New Zealand), and Central and South America, including the Caribbean. Consequently, adherents of any other faith (or no faith) became unable to obtain any government identification documents (such as national identification cards, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports) necessary to exercise their rights in their country unless they lied about their religion. [86] Islam and Christianity are the two major religions. The project interviewed 25,407 people face-to-face in 10 countries and the Palestinian territories. In Mauritania, Tunisia, Somalia, Western Sahara, Algeria, and Morocco, at least 99. The government does not regulate religious education in private schools but must approve employment of headmasters and teachers at those schools.[4]. Region: Sub-Saharan Africa | Pew Research Center The Catholic Church estimates that 55 percent of the population is Catholic. Muslims who live in non-Muslim countries are of three kinds Bahs became virtual non-citizens, without access to employment, education, and all government services, including hospital care. The public schools remain secular, although the Ministry of Islamic Affairs instituted a program in which religious leaders visit the secular schools for an hour to answer religious questions in non-mandatory events. [83], Religious education is allowed in public and private schools, at both the primary and high school levels. [54][55] In 2013 an Egyptian newspaper reported that 3 million out of 84 million Egyptians are atheists. For example, the government provides the Catholic Church with free television broadcast time for religious purposes (an estimated 85% of the population of Cape Verde is Catholic). When asked which countries posed the biggest threat to their stability and national security, after Israel, the US was identified as the second biggest threat in the region as a whole, and Iran was third. Ethnic Somali and other Muslim communities reported difficulties in obtaining government-mandated identification documents, citing heightened requirements for Muslim communities. Non-Muslims in Muslim History - IslamiCity Believers practice openly and without interference, with Muslim clergy being permitted access to prisoners and Bah schools allowed to close on that religion's holy days. [40], Constitutionally, freedom of belief is "absolute" and the practice of religious rites is provided in Egypt, but the government has historically persecuted its Coptic minority and unrecognized religions. [16], The government subsidizes mosques and synagogues, appoints imams, and pays their salaries, and also pays the salary of the grand rabbi. [78], Businesses are legally required to close on Sunday for municipal street cleaning, which Muslim citizens view as a pretext to force them to observe the Christian sabbath. [67], The constitution of Guinea establishes that Guinea is a secular state where all enjoy equality before the law, regardless of religion. The Arab Barometer is a research network based at Princeton University. So many former and contemporary scholars have issued the Fatwa that living in non-Muslim countries without any need or necessity is prohibited. In principle, the grand imam has the authority to restrict proselytizing by other Islamic groups throughout the country, regulate the content of sermons in mosques, and exert control over activities of Muslim charities operating in the country. A 1961 constitution established Islam as the state religion, and later governments have maintained this policy. The seat rotates between Muslim and Christian leaders every 4 years. [70], There were 3 days of ethno-religious fighting in the city of Nzerekore in July 2013. "Global Restrictions on Religion Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life" (PDF). [31], The Constitution of Burundi provides for the freedom of religion and the government enforces this in practice. Asia Europe North America Oceania South America Religion portal v t e Religion in Africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. [78], Starting in 2015, there has been a political campaign to pass a constitutional amendment that would name Liberia a "Christian nation". [4], The government of Zimbabwe has on several occasions in 2017 arrested religious leaders and disrupted or prohibited religious gatherings which were perceived to be critical of the government. These pilgrims number a few thousand per year. [96] The Somali Democratic Republic, which existed from 1969 to 1991, propagated an ideology merging elements of Islam and Marxism. [4], The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MPSE) sets curricula for public primary and secondary schools. The government distinguishes between witchcraft and traditional indigenous religious practices; witchcraft is defined by the law as attempts to do harm by spiritual means and is a common explanation for diseases. Freedom of religion in Africa by country - Wikipedia Muhammed's teachings have been perverted by controlling men, who seek to create a society of authoratative control. Quiz 1: Northern Africa 4.3 (4 reviews) Get a hint Which two countries were split by civil wars between Arab Muslims in the north and non-Muslim groups in the south? In some schools, the religious curriculum is a Christian-oriented Bible knowledge course, while in others it is an interfaith moral and religious education course drawing from the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and Bah faiths. Every place surveyed put Donald Trump's Middle East policies last when comparing these leaders. During the 1990s, sub-Saharan Africa's non-Muslim population grew at a slightly faster rate than the Muslim population. The law provides for the establishment and operation of religious institutions and requires practicing religious groups to register with the government; registration requirements were simple and implemented in a nondiscriminatory manner. [107], The 2019 transitional constitution of Sudan guarantees freedom of religion and omits reference to sharia as a source of law, unlike the 2005 constitution of Sudan's deposed president Omar al-Bashir whose government had outlawed apostasy and blasphemy against Islam. Islam is the official religion in 26 countries in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East. [94], Compulsory religious education in schools is against the law. Unofficial reports and surveys estimate Muslims constitute between 10 and 20 percent of the population. Islam portal v t e Islam in Africa is the continent's second most widely professed faith behind Christianity. One day after six church members were attacked and severely beaten (leaving one in a coma as a result), an armed mob attacked the church at night, injuring 25 church members. [100][101] The Equality Act does not apply to unfair discrimination in the workplace, which is covered by the Employment Equity Act. [21], Permits are required for door-to-door proselytism. Quiz 1: Northern Africa Flashcards | Quizlet " Just imagine how it would be to live among them. The Qadi courts are located in each of the country's seven regions. Mali: 95% of the overall population. [41] Non-Islamic marriages are not legally recognized by the government, which only recognizes marriages performed in accordance with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs or the Ministry of the Interior. A five-member Qadi panel has purview over appeals regarding decisions of the Qadi courts and non-Qadi district tribunals relating to sharia. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems [12], The Constitution of Benin provides for freedom of religion, and the government enforces this practice at all levels. The constitution prohibits forced religious instruction, forced participation in religious ceremonies, or taking oaths that run counter to an individual's religious beliefs. According to the law, local school management committees, elected at parent-teacher association meetings, decide on which religious curriculum to use. Top 10 Least Religious Countries (by percentage) - Pew Research 2020 Czech Republic - 78.4% North Korea - 71.3% The government may initiate administrative and legal procedures to remove imams whom authorities determine to be preaching divisive theology. [80] Mass graves of executed Coptic Christians have been found in areas previously held by the Islamic State. Although post-secondary education continues to be dominated by state institutions, private schools affiliated with religious denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, and Qur'anic schools, have been among the best schools at the primary and secondary levels for many years. The poor quality of Chad's educational system has prompted many Muslim families to look to Islamic schools as an opportunity for educating children who would otherwise have little or no access to formal schooling. Freedom of religion in Algeria is regulated by the Algerian Constitution, which declares Islam to be the state religion (Article 2) but also declares that "freedom of creed and opinion is inviolable" (Article 36); it prohibits discrimination, Article 29 states "All citizens are equal before the law. The state has developed separate curricula for a number of world religions, including Christianity and Islam. Public debates are impregnated by religiously inspired arguments. [89][90], The constitution of the Republic of the Congo states that the Republic of the Congo is secular, prohibits religious discrimination, provides for freedom of religion, bans the use of religion for political ends, and stipulates impositions on freedom of conscience stemming from religious fanaticism shall be punishable by law. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented serious violations of the right to freedom of religion. In practice, the government generally respects this, with some limited exceptions. When imposing sanctions, the Ministry of Interior may decline to register, suspend the operations of, or ban any organization that it deems offensive to public morals or likely to disturb the peace. Religious groups are not taxed, and proselytization is allowed. In the past the Association of Evangelical Churches criticized government-sponsored Hajj trips as eroding the traditionally secular stance of the country. Africa was the first continent into which Islam spread from Southwest Asia, during the early 7th century CE. It is a battle within the Muslim world. Roughly nine-in-ten people living in the region . Most societal pressure and discrimination occurs behind closed doors at the village level. There were reports of religiously motivated threats of societal violence and intolerance, such as Muslim communities threatening individuals who converted from Islam to Christianity. In exchange for this financial support, the government chooses a significant portion of the students who attend. In April 2018, the National Assembly passed a law making the death penalty mandatory for "blasphemy". [2], Catholic, Muslim, and Protestant leaders meet regularly and work together to promote religious tolerance. The most solidly Muslim countries in Africa are: 1) Morocco, 2) Somalia, 3) Tunisia, 4) Mauritania, and 5) Sudan. It grants religious groups autonomy and the right to provide religious instruction. The extent to which this is enforced in practice varies greatly from country to country. At grant-aided schools, a board appointed by the school's operators decides whether the Bible knowledge or the moral and religious education curriculum will be used. [92], The constitution of So Tom and Prncipe provides for freedom of religion and worship and equality for all, irrespective of religious belief.