Islam
Political Islam has been a significant political force in some Middle East countries. This is good news as it can help the region's growth. With hundreds of thousands of members, the Muslim Brotherhood used to be the most powerful non-state group in the area. It also had a huge mobilizing power. It is not easy to predict what the future holds for Middle Eastern countries, given their recent instability.
Faksh contributes his analysis of the rise and fall of fundamentalist movements in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria to the growing literature regarding Muslim fundamentalism. He views Islamism today as the most pressing challenge.
Christianity
There are approximately 10-15 million Christians in the Middle East, most of whom live in the Arab world. These Christians are now under increasing threat from religious extremism. A significant drop in Christian numbers has occurred in certain countries, including Lebanon, since the late 70s. These changes can also be attributed to low birth rates and increased immigration as well as wars.
Christians made up 12.7%, but only a fifth of today's region's inhabitants. They are expected to make up 3% of the population by 2050. This will make them the largest group in the region.
Mandaeism
Mandaeism can be described as a religion that is practiced in Iran and Iraq. It is a Gnostic religion, with a dualistic outlook. Its followers respect the prophets Adam or Seth and reject Abraham. They believe Adam and his descendents were the sons or god. Mandaeans also believe in the existence of two worlds, one of light and the other of darkness.
The Mandaean people have endured persecution for thousands upon thousands of year. They are considered a minority within an Islamic society and are treated as second-class citizens. They may be acknowledged for their expertise in science, medicine, and craft but they are often treated with contempt. They are frequently targeted for attacks and rape as a result.
Maronite religion
The Maronite religion in the Middle East is a religion with roots in Syria and Lebanon. Its ideals are influenced by the monastic tradition, and the history of retreating into the mountains. Some of the early believers were hermits like St. Maron, who lived near Antioch in the mountains. His fame spread throughout this region. Many of his followers were also hermits. These people later built monasteries. They were also known as Maronite Christians.
Maronite Church is also a firm believer in the tradition of making an offering before Mass. In most churches, this preparation table is located to the right of the main altar. It is the beginning of the preparation. The priest will then make a confession and ask for spiritual support.
Sunni Shiite Islam
Sunnis and Shiites have many differences, including their views on the Mahdi (or end-time leader) who will bring justice to the world. Sunni Muslims see this in a wider context, while Shiites are waiting for it. Sunni Muslims are often claimed to be the Mahdi by many, including the Sudanese ruler Muhammad Mahdi (1844-1885), Mirza Ghulam Ahmad from India and Pakistan.
The prevailing wisdom on the conflict is that it is a conflict within Islam. Since the Islamic Prophet Muhammad died, there has been rivalry between the two groups. This conflict can be explained by the idea of tribal hatreds from ancient times. But such a view is not able to account for the diversity within the Middle East's Muslim communities.