Middle East & North Africa

reportMar 26, 2025

Light shines through the doors of Zionskirche, a Protestant church in Berlin.

In many places surveyed, 20% or more of all adults have left their childhood religious group. Christianity and Buddhism have had especially large losses.

reportJan 28, 2025

We asked people in three dozen countries how they see religion’s role in society, government and national identity.

reportMar 21, 2024

57% of Americans express some sympathy with both Israelis and Palestinians, including 26% who say their sympathies lie equally with both groups.

Filtered by:

short readsJul 8, 2013

Global restrictions on religion increased following the Arab Spring

In 2011, a strong majority of the world’s population lived in countries with high religious restrictions.
short readsJul 2, 2013

Egypt’s restrictions on religion coincide with lack of religious tolerance

In Egypt, the government’s restrictions on religion also are coupled with a Muslim public that is considerably less tolerant of religious pluralism than Muslims elsewhere.
short readsJul 1, 2013

Egyptian military gets higher ratings than most political parties

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_IOrcF1nNw The Egyptian military issued an ultimatum to both President Mohamed Morsi and his opponents today, declaring that the two sides must find a resolution to the country’s political crisis in the next 48 hours or the military will impose its own “roadmap for the future.” Since the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak two and […]
short readsJun 28, 2013

Egyptians plan nationwide protests as discontent grows under Morsi

June 30 will mark one year since Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi took office, and the country’s opposition movement is planning to commemorate the anniversary with nationwide protests that, even by recent Egyptian standards, are likely to be quite large. Over the last year, Morsi has presided over growing political polarization and increasing disappointment with the […]
reportJun 20, 2013

Arab Spring Adds to Global Restrictions on Religion

Pew Research’s fourth major report on global restrictions on religion finds that the share of countries with high or very high restrictions on religion rose from 37% in 2010 to 40% in 2011. The Middle East and North Africa continued to have the highest levels of restrictions in the year when much of the Arab Spring uprisings occurred, with social hostilities involving religion increasing markedly and government restrictions remaining high.
reportJun 17, 2013

Public Remains Opposed to Arming Syrian Rebels

Overview Broad majorities continue to oppose the U.S. and its allies sending arms and military supplies to anti-government groups in Syria. Last Thursday’s announcement that the U.S. would aid the rebels has not increased public support for action, and majorities of all partisan groups are opposed. Overall, 70% oppose the U.S. and its allies sending […]
short readsJun 14, 2013

U.S. aid to Syrian rebels: Public has opposed American involvement in the past

Public opinion surveys have consistently shown Americans to have little interest in the Syrian conflict and have been opposed — or lukewarm, at best, — to getting involved.
reportJun 11, 2013

Global Views of Iran Overwhelmingly Negative

Overview As Iranians prepare to elect a new president, the country’s international image is largely negative. Majorities in most of 39 countries surveyed have an unfavorable opinion of Iran, and most say Tehran does not respect the personal freedoms of its people. Meanwhile, any nuclear ambitions harbored by the Iranian government continue to draw strong […]
reportJun 11, 2013

Iranians’ Views Mixed on Political Role for Religious Figures

As Iranians prepare to elect a new president on June 14, a Pew Research survey shows that just 40% think religious figures should play a large role in politics, while a quarter say religious figures should have some influence, and three-in-ten believe they should have little or no influence. But an overwhelming majority of Iranians say they back the use of Islamic law.
short readsJun 7, 2013

As It Fights in Syria, Hezbollah Seen Unfavorably in Region

Hezbollah is widely unpopular among publics in the Middle East. Most in Lebanon, which is Hezbollah’s base, have an unfavorable view of it, but opinions differ among religious groups.