Christianity in North Africa and West Asia

The North Africa-West Asia region is predominantly Muslim, represented by 92% of the population (2015), a result of great historical development in a region of central importance in the history of Christianity. Today, many Christian communities—Christians represent 5% of the region’s population—face severe persecution both in governmental and non-governmental contexts. However, the situation of religious freedom varies widely among the countries that make up the region, with a spectrum of tolerance and interfaith dynamics that depend on political alignment, cultural dhimmitude, and forced migration, among other elements. Study of the region with respect to Christianity must account for cultural application of belief, societal norms (e.g., the proliferation of Believers from a Muslim Background), geopolitical conflicts (e.g., Syria and Iraq), and the subjectival considerations that place Islam at the centre of discussion. Furthermore, in terms of interdenominational relations, the emphasis on the national identity of the church remains an enduring concern across different Christian groups claiming their history in the region.