Despite a growth in fatalities resulting from organized violence with Shia–Sunni dimensions over the last two decades, in this study, we show, using existing data-bases on interreligious dialogue and peacemaking, that only less than two percent of the interreligious peacemaking organizations in the world are specialized in dialogue between Shias and Sunnis. Why is there so little institutionalized Shia–Sunni dialogue…
Search results for: religion
Survey: More Than Half of Arab World’s Young Adults Want to Leave
Lack of trust in Islamist governments, spike in non-religious identity are among chief reasons, report finds The results of a recent survey in the Arab world show that more than half of the region’s young adults are considering emigrating, and an increasing number of people are identifying as “non-religious.” The Big BBC News Arabic Survey, a joint assessment by BBC…
Arab Barometer for 2018-2019: A look at Morocco
The Arab Barometer for 2018-2019 has been published, “yielding fascinating insights into how Arabs feel about a wide range of issues” including corruption, economics, extremism, gender, governance, international relations, political institutions, religion, social justice, and youth. The Arab Barometer claims to be “the largest repository of publicly available data on the views of men and women in the MENA region,”…
Is EGYPT becoming a SECULAR country?
With over 95 million inhabitants, Egypt is the biggest country in the Arab world. In 2011, thousands of people protested for days to overthrow HOSNI MUBARAK, the dictator who ruled the country back then. A year later, the Muslim Brotherhood gained power, ready to turn the country of the pyramids into an Islamist Republic. But now, in 2017, Egyptian politics…
Could Morocco see the next uprising, after Sudan and Algeria?
A wide-ranging BBC survey shows almost half of Moroccans are considering emigrating and want immediate political change. So could Morocco follow in Sudan and Algeria’s footsteps and topple their leader, asks Tom de Castella. On a balcony overlooking Casablanca’s rooftops, a man draws on his cigarette and thinks about the dream that was snatched away. Saleh al-Mansouri is only in…
Lebanon’s political system leads to paralysis and corruption
“IT is difficult to escape the grip of religion in Lebanon. The rules that govern marriage, property rights and inheritance are administered by religious courts. Well-to-do secular Lebanese can fly to Cyprus to marry in civil ceremonies. But once back home, if their relationship goes sour, Muslims still have to deal with religious judges, who rule on divorce, alimony and…
Kroonprins Salman heeft hele veiligheidsapparaat van Saudi-Arabië stevig in handen
“Een deel van de Arabische wereld streeft naar meer religieuze vrijheid. Maar dat is nog geen politieke vrijheid. Als de opiniepeilers van Arab Barometer het bij het rechte eind hebben, is de Arabische wereld in beweging. Onderzoek leert dat de rol van religie in een goed deel van de regio afneemt. De steun voor de invoering van de islamitische wet,…
Migration of Palestinian Christians: Drivers and Means of Combating it
The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) conducted a public opinion poll among Palestinian Christians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the period between 27 January and 23 February 2020. The poll sought to explore the reasons that drive Christians to emigrate from their homeland in Palestine to other countries and the various means that…
Beyond the Arab Spring: Will economic and security challenges further test Tunisia’s democracy?
This paper examines Afrobarometer public opinion data to assess the extent to which citizens have embraced political challenges since 2011. Do Tunisians perceive an improvement of the country and the North Africa region since the events of the Arab Spring? Are they supportive of democracy and the way it is being implemented? What role do they think religion should play…