Living Among Arabs

The experience of living among Arab communities presents a complex and often challenging reality, particularly for Christians, non-Muslim, and Muslims who choose to convert to Christianity or other non-Islamic religion. This article delve into the harsh realities faced by these groups, underscoring the societal, cultural, and sometimes violent repercussions that follow those who stray from dominant religious narrative in many Arab nations.

The Religious Landscape in the Arab World

The Arab world is a region deeply intertwined with the Islamic faith, where religion significantly influences culture, politics, and daily life. Within this context, Christians, non-Muslims, and Muslim converts to other religions often find themselves in challenging and, at times, perilous situations. This article explores the myriad difficulties faced by these groups, from legal discrimination to social ostracism and, in the most extreme cases, violence and persecution.

The Historical Context: A Tense Coexistence

Christianity predates Islam in the Middle East by several centuries, with communities that have existed since the earliest days of the faith. Despite this, the arrival and spread of Islam in the 7th century dramatically altered the religious landscape. Although periods of coexistence have occurred, history is replete with examples of tension and conflict. The Crusades, colonial interventions, and the modern rise of political Islamism have all contributed to the often uneasy relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in the region.

The Impact of Colonialism and Nationalism

The colonial period brought European powers into direct control of much of the Arab world, often exacerbating religious divisions. Colonial rulers sometimes favoured Christian minorities, leading to resentment among the Muslim majority. After independence, many Arab nations adopted nationalist ideologies that sought to unify the population under a common Arab identity, yet religious minorities often found themselves marginalized within these movements.

Christians: The Silent Minority

Today, Christians in the Arab world are a minority, making up about 5% of the population. Their experiences vary significantly from one country to another. For example, in Lebanon, Christians enjoy relatively high levels of freedom and political representation. However, in countries like Saudi Arabia, they face severe restrictions on religious practices and public worship.

Legal Discrimination

In many Arab countries, Christians are subject to laws that favour Muslims. For example, in family law—covering marriage, divorce, and inheritance—Christians often find themselves at a disadvantage. In Egypt, Coptic Christians have faced restrictions on building churches, and many have suffered from violence in recent years, including deadly attacks on churches and Christian communities.

Social and Economic Marginalization

Beyond legal discrimination, Christians often face social and economic marginalization. They are sometimes perceived as foreign elements, especially in countries where Christian communities are small and isolated. This perception can lead to social ostracism, making it difficult for Christians to find employment or gain social acceptance. Economic discrimination also manifests in business regulations and practices that disadvantage non-Muslims.

Non-Muslims: A Life on the Margins

Non-Muslims, including adherents of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, as well as atheists and agnostics, face even greater challenges. These communities are often very small and lack the social infrastructure and communal support that Christian minorities may have.

The Jizya Tax

In some Arab countries, non-Muslims historically paid the jizya, a tax levied on non-Muslims in exchange for protection and the right to practice their religion. While the jizya is no longer officially enforced in most places, its historical memory contributes to the marginalisation of non-Muslim communities. In areas controlled by extremist groups like ISIS, the jizya has been re-imposed, further alienating and endangering non-Muslim populations.

Cultural and Religious Exclusion

Non-Muslims often face cultural and religious exclusion, with little to no representation in public life. Their religious practices are typically confined to private spaces, and public expressions of faith can provoke hostility. In some countries, conversion from Islam to another religion is illegal, and non-Muslims can face severe penalties if they attempt to proselytize.

Converts: The Ultimate Betrayal

Muslim converts to Christianity or other non-Islamic religions often find themselves in the most perilous position of all. Apostasy, the act of abandoning Islam, is considered one of the gravest sins in many Islamic traditions. In some Arab countries, apostasy is punishable by death, while in others, it can result in imprisonment, forced annulment of marriages, and loss of custody of children.

Legal Repercussions

The legal repercussions for apostasy vary across the Arab world. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, apostasy is punishable by death, though this sentence is rarely carried out. However, converts are often prosecuted under blasphemy laws, which can carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences or even execution.

Social and Familial Consequences

Beyond legal repercussions, converts face intense social pressure. Families may disown or ostracize them, and in some cases, convert to face violence from their own relatives. Honor's killings, though illegal, still occur in some regions, with authorities often turning a blind eye to such crimes.

The Role of Sharia Law in Perpetuating Discrimination

Sharia, or Islamic law, plays a central role in the legal and social frameworks of many Arab countries. While interpretations of Sharia vary widely, in many cases, it is used to justify discriminatory practices against non-Muslims and converts.

Inheritance and Property Rights

Under Sharia, non-Muslims often face restrictions in inheritance and property rights. In some cases, they may be denied the right to inherit from Muslim relatives, and their own estates may be distributed according to Islamic principles, regardless of their personal wishes.

Marriage and Family Law

Marriage and family law under Sharia also disadvantages non-Muslims. Interfaith marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslim men are generally forbidden, and if a Muslim man converts to another religion, his marriage is automatically annulled. Custody laws often favor Muslim parents in interfaith custody disputes, further marginalizing non-Muslim spouses and their children.

Extremist Violence: The Threat from Non-State Actors

The rise of extremist groups in the Arab world has dramatically increased the risks for Christians, non-Muslims, and converts. Groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram have explicitly targeted religious minorities, viewing them as enemies of Islam.

Targeted Killings and Forced Conversions

Extremist groups have carried out numerous atrocities against religious minorities. Churches have been bombed, religious leaders assassinated, and entire communities subjected to forced conversions. In areas under their control, these groups often impose harsh versions of Sharia, including the death penalty for apostasy and the re-imposition of the jizya.

The Impact of ISIS

The rise of ISIS had a particularly devastating impact on religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. The group declared Christians and other non-Muslims as targets for extermination, leading to widespread killings, sexual slavery, and forced displacement. The Yazidi community in Iraq suffered particularly brutal treatment, with thousands killed or enslaved by ISIS fighters.

Displacement and the Refugee Crisis

The violence and persecution faced by religious minorities have contributed significantly to the ongoing refugee crisis in the Middle East. Millions of people have been displaced by conflict, with religious minorities disproportionately affected.

The Exodus of Christians

The Christian population in the Middle East has been steadily declining for decades, a trend that has accelerated in recent years due to conflict and persecution. In countries like Iraq, the Christian community has been reduced to a fraction of its former size. Many Christians have fled to Europe, North America, and other regions where they can practice their faith without fear of persecution.

Refugees in Neighboring Countries

Neighboring countries like Jordan and Lebanon have taken in large numbers of refugees, including many from religious minority communities. However, these countries are struggling to cope with the influx, and refugees often face difficult living conditions, limited access to education and healthcare, and restricted employment opportunities.

The International Response: A Global Concern

The international community's response to the persecution of religious minorities in the Arab world has been mixed. While there has been some action, such as the granting of asylum to refugees and the imposition of sanctions on countries with poor human rights records, much more needs to be done.

Human Rights Organizations: Advocating for Change

Human rights organizations have played a crucial role in documenting abuses and advocating for the rights of religious minorities. Groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have brought attention to the plight of Christians, non-Muslims, and converts, pressuring governments and international bodies to take action.

The Role of Western Governments

Western governments have taken varying approaches to the issue. Some have been vocal in their condemnation of religious persecution, imposing sanctions and providing asylum to those fleeing persecution. Others have been more cautious, balancing human rights concerns with diplomatic and economic interests in the region.

The Need for Greater Awareness and Action

Despite the efforts of human rights organizations and some governments, there remains a significant lack of awareness about the challenges faced by religious minorities in the Arab world. More needs to be done to educate the public, support persecuted communities, and hold Arab governments accountable for human rights abuses.

Raising Awareness

Raising awareness about the plight of religious minorities is crucial to galvanizing international action. This can be achieved through media coverage, academic research, and public advocacy campaigns. Social media also plays a vital role in spreading awareness and mobilizing support for persecuted communities.

Supporting Persecuted Communities

Supporting persecuted communities requires a multifaceted approach. This includes providing humanitarian aid to those affected by violence and displacement, offering asylum and resettlement opportunities to refugees, and working to ensure that religious minorities have access to education, healthcare, and employment.

Holding Governments Accountable

International bodies like the United Nations, as well as individual governments, must hold Arab nations accountable for their treatment of religious minorities. This can be done through diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and by supporting civil society organizations within these countries that advocate for human rights.

Conclusion:

Living among Arab communities as a Christian, non-Muslim, or convert is a challenging and often dangerous experience. The persecution and discrimination faced by these communities are deeply ingrained in the fabric of many Arab societies, making it difficult for these groups to live freely and openly. While there are efforts to address these issues, much more needs to be done to ensure that religious minorities in the Arab world can live with dignity and without fear.