The Middle East is a diverse region where Muslims, Jews, and Christians live together, each encompassing many sects or denominations. This rich tapestry of faiths contributes to the region’s complex social and cultural landscape.
Ethnically, the Middle East is home to Arabs, Jews, Kurds, Armenians, and Berbers. In addition, many groups such as Assyrians, Copts, Samaritans, Yazidis, and Kakai maintain distinct ethnic identities despite often speaking Arabic. These communities add further depth to the region’s diversity.
Each religious sect has its own unique history and beliefs, which can lead to differing views about orthodoxy. Often, these sects consider one another at least somewhat heretical, highlighting deep-rooted theological disagreements.
While in many Western countries such theological differences rarely disrupt broader society, in the Middle East, sectarianism can escalate into conflict and violence. This dynamic underscores the challenges of coexistence in a region marked by overlapping religious and ethnic identities.
https://www.realclearreligion.org/2025/10/27/will_there_ever_be_peace_in_the_middle_east_1143470.html