The Future of Christianity in North Africa and West Asia

The outlook for Christianity in North Africa and West Asia is closely tied to the region’s highly volatile and unpredictable geopolitical dynamics. Religious and ethnic minorities need institutional protection of their physical and economic safety as well as inclusive, pluralistic government policies. Increased inter-religious dialogue and solidarity–both between Christians and Muslims as well as among Christians of different denominations–are also vital. The current trend away towards increasing Islamization of society has tended instead to decrease Christians’ societal inclusion and legal rights. International solidarity will be key to preserving a physical Christian presence, not to mention their ancient intangible cultural heritage, in North Africa and West Asia.