"Why are many Arabs turning atheist? Surveys reveal the factors and impacts of the atheism phenomenon in the Arab world."
The Arab region has played a significant role in the history and civilization of Islam. The majority of Arab countries are dominated by populations practicing Islam, with some implementing Islamic Sharia law as the state's legal system.
However, in recent years, there has been a surprising phenomenon in the Arab world: many individuals are transitioning to atheism or non-religiosity.
Atheism is a belief system that denies the existence of God or deities in any form. Atheism differs from agnosticism, which holds doubts about the existence of God or deities. Atheism also differs from deism, as deists believe in the existence of God or deities but do not believe they intervene in worldly affairs.
Surveys Revealing Atheism Phenomenon in the Arab World
The phenomenon of atheism in the Arab world is not merely a fabrication. Several surveys have revealed a significant increase in the number of Arab individuals identifying as atheists over the past decade. One such survey conducted by BBC International in 2019 showed that the percentage of non-religious Arabs rose from 8% in 2013 to 13% in 2019.
Similar regional surveys have produced comparable results. In Iran, a study involving 40,000 respondents in 2020 revealed that 47% of them claimed to have transitioned from being religious to becoming atheists.
In Turkey, a country with a 99% Muslim population, there has been an increase in the number of atheists over the past decade. According to a survey by the Konda research institute in 2019, the percentage of Turkish people identifying as Muslims decreased from 55% to 51%. This decline does not indicate a shift to another religion but rather a shift towards atheism.
In Egypt, a survey conducted by Cairo's Al-Azhar University in 2014 also uncovered surprising facts. Out of Egypt's 87 million population, approximately 10.7 million individuals, or 12.3%, identified as atheists³. A similar situation exists in Saudi Arabia, a country known as the center of Islam. According to the "Saudi Arabia 2021 International Religious Freedom Report," approximately 224,000 Saudi citizens have chosen not to adhere to any religion, either as atheists or agnostics.
Causes of the Increasing Number of Arab Atheists
What causes many Arabs to transition to atheism? There is no definitive answer to this question. However, several factors can explain this phenomenon from various perspectives.
One factor is the political exploitation of religion by governments to maintain power and protect their interests. This can generate critical and skeptical attitudes among citizens towards a religion that has become politicized by those in power.
An example of this is the case in Saudi Arabia, where the government strictly enforces Islamic Sharia law and harshly punishes any violations⁴. This can lead to feelings of oppression and a lack of freedom for individuals to think and express themselves.
Another factor is the advancement of information technology and communication, which enables people to access and interact with diverse sources of information and like-minded communities in the virtual world. This broadens their knowledge and awareness of different perspectives and thoughts beyond their own religious beliefs. It also provides support and a sense of security for those who wish to openly declare their atheism without fear of isolation or criminalization.
Another contributing factor is the social and economic crises afflicting many Arab countries due to political conflicts, civil wars, corruption, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and discrimination. These factors can lead to frustration and disappointment among individuals towards a religion that should provide solutions and hope. They can also raise philosophical questions about justice, goodness, and the existence of God.
Impacts and Challenges of Atheism Phenomenon in the Arab World
The phenomenon of atheism in the Arab world undoubtedly has both impacts and challenges for Arab individuals themselves and for the broader Islamic world. One of the impacts is the demographic and social changes in Arab societies, which are becoming more diverse and pluralistic in terms of beliefs and worldviews. This presents an opportunity to foster dialogue and cooperation among different groups in order to create peace and collective prosperity.
However, this phenomenon also poses challenges to the stability and social harmony in Arab societies, which are still largely influenced by traditional and conservative religious values. It can lead to conflicts and discrimination between the majority and minority groups in terms of civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and religious rights. It can also provoke strong reactions from those who feel threatened by this phenomenon.
Therefore, a tolerant and inclusive attitude is necessary from all parties involved to respect and appreciate the diversity of beliefs and worldviews as part of human diversity. A critical and rational mindset is also essential for individuals to sift through the information and ideas present in both the virtual and real world by employing reason and logic. An ethical and humanistic approach is required to uphold moral values, humanity, social justice, democracy, pluralism, and tolerance.
Conclusion
The increasing number of Arabs transitioning to atheism is a real phenomenon that has occurred over the past decade. This phenomenon is supported by several surveys, indicating a rise in the number of Arabs who identify as non-religious or do not believe in any form of God or deities.
The causes of this phenomenon can be attributed to factors such as the political exploitation of religion, advancements in information technology and communication, and social and economic crises affecting many Arab countries. These factors have influenced individuals' attitudes and perspectives towards religion, leading them to question and reject traditional beliefs.
The phenomenon of atheism in the Arab world has both impacts and challenges. It brings about demographic and social changes that promote diversity and pluralism, but it also poses challenges to social stability and harmony. To address these challenges, it is crucial to foster tolerance, critical thinking, and ethical principles that uphold human values and respect for different beliefs and worldviews.
Source: cnbc
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