In various regions around the world, certain religions often find themselves in the minority, leading to potential conflicts due to cultural, political, and social tensions. For instance, Christians represent a minority in predominantly Muslim countries such as Iran and Afghanistan, where laws and societal norms may marginalize their practices, often leading to persecution and violent conflicts, as seen in the historical events surrounding the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Similarly, Hinduism is in the minority in countries like Bangladesh, where tensions between Hindus and the Muslim majority have escalated into violence and discrimination, particularly noted during the communal riots in the late 20th century. In contrast, Buddhism is often a minority religion in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, where Buddhist communities have faced hostility and attacks, exemplified by the destruction of Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan in the 1980s. These conflicts frequently arise from the struggle for political power, territorial rights, and cultural identity, as minority religions navigate their existence within dominant religious frameworks that may not tolerate differing beliefs, creating environments ripe for unrest and discrimination.
Twenty-seven percent of the world’s population lives in a country where their religion is in the minority. Explain which religions are more likely to be in the minority in different areas, giving at least three examples, and explain why conflict may arise in these areas, giving historical examples. Your response should be a paragraph in length.
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