Islam:
The predominant religion of the Middle East is Islam, which is divided among various sects, the most important
of which are Shi'a and Sunni Islam. Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the holy text called the Qur'an.
The five pillars of Islam are the Shahadah (there is no God but Allah, and
Mohammad is his prophet), Salah (five daily prayers), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Hajj
(pilgrimage to Mecca). Practitioners of Islam are called Muslims.
Christianity:
The lack of official data on the Christian populations of the Middle East makes it
difficult to confirm, but it is estimated that there are between 12 and 16 million Christians living in the
Middle East. Christianity is also a monotheistic religion with its origins in the Middle East, and its
teachings are based on the old and new testaments of the Bible. Many different Christian sects have their
origins in the Middle East and are still present in the region. Just a few examples of these sects include
Maronite Christians, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic and Chaldean Christians, among many others.
Judaism:
The historical predecessor of both Christianity and Islam is Judaism, and it is practiced by approximately 6
million people in the Middle East. It is also a monotheistic religion based on the Torah, which is also the
old testament of the Christian Bible. Judaism is the official religion of the state of Israel.
Druze:
The Druze populations live primarily in Lebanon and Syria, and they are another monotheistic religion of the
Middle East. Although commonly not regarded as Muslims by others, the Druze do consider themselves a sect of
Islam that split from the Shi'a. The Druze believe that the Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim was an incarnation of God
who disappeared in 1021 but will return, bringing a Golden Age to believers.
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