HRP: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
IRF: Annual Reports to Congress on International Religious Freedom
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
IRF 2000
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, provided that religious
practices are consistent with "public order and morality;" however, the
Government imposes some restrictions on freedom of religion, and citizens
may not always be allowed to practice the religion of their choice. According
to the Constitution, Islam is the state religion.
HRP 1998-2000
IRF 1999-2000
Baha'is face some societal and official discrimination. Their faith is
not recognized officially, and Baha'is are classified as Muslims on official
documents, such as the national identity card.
HRP 1991, 1998-2001
IRF 1999-2001
The Baha'i community is too small to sustain its own court, and Baha'i
family legal matters, including marriage, must be handled in the Shari'a
courts. Most Baha'is are unwilling to be married in these courts.
HRP 1999-2000
IRF 1999-2001
The Government does not recognize the
Druze or Baha'i faiths as religions but does not prohibit the practice
of the faiths.... The Government does not record the bearer's religion
on national identity cards issued to Druze or Baha'is.
HRP 1999-2001
The Government notes individuals' religions (except for Baha'is) on the
national identity card and "family book" (a national registration record
issued to the head of every family that serves as proof of citizenship)
of all citizens.
HRP 1993
In December the Ministry of Interior agreed to accept Baha'i marriage certificates
as proof of marriage for the issuance of passports and other official identity
documents.
HRP 1992
The Government does not recognize the Bahaíi Faith as a religion,
and the small Bahaíi community continues to encounter discrimination....
HRP 1991
The Government does not recognize the Bahaíi faith as a religion,
and Baha'is have experienced some problems in the past with the registration
of community property.
EDUCATION
HRP 1998-2000
IRF 1999-2001
Religious instruction is mandatory for all Muslim students in public schools.
Christian and Baha'i students are not required to attend courses in Islam.
HRP 2001
IRF 2001
The Government does not permit Baha'is
to register schools or places of worship.
HRP 1992
Baha'is suffer various forms of discrimination. An October 1991 government
decree requires all students to be classified on student identification
documents as either "Christian" or "Muslim." Previously, Baha'i students
were permitted to be so identified. A further stipulation requires
that Bahaíis take national postsecondary examinations on Islam,
unlike Christian religious minorities who take examinations on Christianity.
BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY
IRF 2001
Over 95 percent of the population are Sunni Muslim. Official government
figures estimate that Christians make up 4 percent of the population; however,
government and Christian officials privately estimate the true figure to
be closer to 2 percent. There also are at least 20,000 Druze, a small number
of Shi'a Muslims, and less than 800 adherents of the Baha'i faith.
SOCIETAL ATTITUDES
IRF 2001
Baha'is face some societal and official discrimination.