Religious Change in the Middle East and North Africa

Many parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are rich in natural resources, including but not limited to oil and gas, and human resources. However, for various reasons, such resources have worked against the interests of their nations in practice and have rarely led to economic prosperity and/or political and social freedoms. Other parts of the MENA also suffer acutely from inequality, poverty and hunger, drought and conflict. The Covid-19 pandemic has only made these conditions worse. This session focuses on the response of ‘religion’ to these societal conditions. How is ‘religion’ perceived and constructed in everyday life in tackling challenges, such as climate change, economic crisis or recovery in the post-pandemic era, poverty, patrimonialism and authoritarianism, and last, but not least, human rights, especially of ethnic or religious minorities and women’s rights? What is the role of ‘religion’ in addressing societal changes? Is it a ‘vehicle for change, challenge or conservation’?