(Phyo Hein Kyaw/AFP via Getty Images)Government restrictions on religion rose to a record high in 2018, while religion-related social hostilities fell slightly but remained near peak levels, according to Pew Research Center’s 11th annual study of restrictions on religion. To measure global restrictions on religion in 2018 – the most recent year for which data is available – the study rates 198 countries and territories by their levels of government restrictions on religion and social hostilities involving religion. Most countries in the region had reports of governments harassing religious groups, interfering in worship, favoring some religious groups and using force against others. India also ranks high on government restrictions and reached an all-time high in its government restrictions score (5.9 out of 10). Harassment against religious groups, both by governments and individuals or social groups, was reported in 185 out of the 198 countries in 2018.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 10, 2020 15:00 UTC