Algeria
Algerian Christians face challenges at various levels. Since 2006, any group wanting to use a building for non-Muslim worship must obtain permission…
Bahrain
Expatriate Christians enjoy considerable freedom in Bahrain, provided that their activities are restricted to designated compounds and, in particular, that they…
Egypt
Christians have traditionally enjoyed good standing in society, with guaranteed representation in Parliament. However, restrictions apply to…
Iran
Officially recognised churches have been subjected to increasingly restrictive controls since 2011. Churches are effectively banned from using the Farsi…
Iraq
The advance and military offensive of Daesh (so-called ‘Islamic State’) in June 2014 led to mass displacement, including of Christians whose heartlands…
Israel
Messianic believers have at times faced social prejudice and harassment. In some cases Jewish people seeking to enter Israel under the Law of Return…
Jordan
Christians generally enjoy good standing in society, even having guaranteed representation in Parliament (at a disproportionately high level, given…
Kuwait
Expatriate Christians enjoy comparative freedom in Kuwait, provided that their activities are restricted to designated compounds and, in particular…
Lebanon
Christians generally enjoy good standing in society and a high degree of religious freedom. Blasphemy and contempt for religion provisions of the Penal Code…
Libya
Key challenges faced by the tiny group of national Christians are family and societal pressure. Family and clan ties are very strong in Libya.,,
Mauritania
Christians face severe restrictions in practice. While expatriate Christians are permitted to worship, such activities are restricted to designated…
Morocco
Registered expatriate Christian communities enjoy considerable freedom in Morocco, provided that they avoid interaction with Muslims that could be construed…
N Cyprus
In recent years some reconstruction and renovation of Greek Orthodox church buildings has been permitted, especially in tourist areas, including a monastery…
Oman
Expatriate Christians enjoy considerable freedom in Oman, provided that their activities are restricted to designated compounds and that they avoid…
Palestine
Some of the challenges facing Christians in Palestine vary by area according to the governing authorities. In recent years, Christian communities in the…
Qatar
Expatriate Christians enjoy considerable freedom in Qatar, provided that their activities are restricted to designated compounds and, in particular, …
Saudi Arabia
Calls for expatriate Christians to be permitted to worship in public have not yet been accepted by the Saudi authorities. Expatriate Christians…
Somalia
Due Somalia’s strong clan and family culture, Somalis who choose to leave Islam are likely to face strong family and societal pressure, including…
Sudan
Sudanese Christians face intense pressures. Recognised Christian communities have increasingly been marginalised and their freedom to worship obstructed…
Syria
Syria’s Christian communities face multiple challenges within the context of the current conflict. In the majority of the country that is under government control…
Tunisia
Both expatriate and local Christian communities enjoy relative freedom in Tunisia, provided that they avoid activities that could be construed as…
Turkey
Christians in Turkey enjoy a considerable degree of freedom, though pressures persist. Those who choose to leave Islam face family and societal pressure…
UAE
Expatriate Christians enjoy considerable freedom in the UAE, provided that they avoid activities that could be construed as proselytism. In recent years…
Yemen
Pressures faced by Christians come principally from non-state actors, given the weak application of the rule of law in many parts of the country…