Christian political participation in the Arab world

Middle East
History
National identity
Citizenship
Identity politics
Political participation

Author: Fiona McCallum

Publisher/Publication: Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations

Volume/Issue: 23(1)

DOI/ISBN: 10.1080/09596410.2011.634593

This article examines the nature and extent of the Christians political participation within the wider political context throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Given the authoritarian tendency within the region, the author examines the political constrains of participation vis-à-vis the ruling elites’ strategies, exploring the notion of ‘loyal’ citizenship, institutionalization of quotas as well as equal treatment of Christians in a Muslim-majority state. Furthermore, the article engages with the religious identity of the Christian political participation and the challenges that emerge with the concept of national unity in an all-increasing Islamic environment in the region.