Religion and middle east...

Religion is a very important factor when it comes to ethnic conflicts in Muslim states but history shows that this is more dominant in Middle Eastern states. One of the reasons for this could be that the Middle East is a region that gave birth to three of the world’s most important religions. When a country or state’s religious population is very diverse, it is more likely to have violent domestic conflicts. And when religion is a dominant factor in these conflicts then ethnic , political, economic and culture discrimination and rebellion all then to increase. Also religious differences increase the likelihood of international wars.

It is religion that shapes discrimination against ethnic minorities. Religious and non-religious discrimination is more likely in states, such the states of the Middle East, where it is lawful to use religion in political discourse and in clashes where religious issues are important. Religious discrimination is likely against minorities which although might be culturally similar to the majority group but religion is the chief differentiating characteristic between the majority and the minority. Perhaps connected, religious minorities seeking autonomy are likely to suffer non-religious discrimination than ethnic minorities who are not distinguished by religion.

Also, autocratic regimes are more likely to discriminate against religious minorities, as compared to than non-autocratic regimes. One study finds that Muslim states are the most autocratic states in the world. And the Middle East is the most autocratic and least democratic region in the world. For this, history may provide an explanation. Democracy and the liberal ideologies upon which it is based were developed in the West. Accordingly, it is not surprising that the West is the most democratic region of the world. Thus, the link between the Middle East and autocracy may be due to historical and cultural forces than anything else. Also, the link between Islam and autocracy may be due to the fact that most Islamic states are in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, the regions that appear to have the highest levels of rejection of Western styles of government.


Sonal Arshad Siraj