Religion in LIbya

Religion

• The population is 97% Sunni Muslim
•  Most Christians in the country are immigrants and migrant workers, mainly from other north African countries and parts of Europe/America
•  (RNS) Church leaders in Libya remain hopeful that Christians in the mostly Muslim country will be allowed to practice their faith, even as the country appears to be moving towards Shariah law. In December, Libya’s General National Congress voted to make Shariah the source of all legislation and institutions. The vote came amid international concerns over the diminishing Christian populations in North Africa and the Middle East, and increased Islamist influence in countries engulfed by the Arab Spring revolution.
• There is one Orthodox church known to the State Dept. ,  run by the Ukrainian embassy.
•  There are no known places of worship for non-Judaic religions such as Hinduism, or Buddhism, although adherents are allowed to practice in their home.
  
•  The TNC (gov't) posted a statement declaring Islam to be the state religion and that Islamic law is the basis for the country's legislation, but non-muslims are "accorded the freedom to practice their beliefs"
•  Religious instruction in Islam is required in all public schools, but there is no law concerning non-Muslims in schools.
•  David Gerbi
• David Gerbi is a Jewish psychiatrist who attempted to restore Tripoli's main synagogue during the revolution against Gaddafi, after returning from exile in Italy. He was barred from entering the synagogue, and a massive protest was held against the return of exiled Jews
• Libya has an Anti-Semitic history, With Anti-Jewish pogroms/massacres/riots in 1945 and 48

Sources

• http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/193109.pdf
• http://www.religionnews.com/2014/01/10/christians-libya-cast-anxious-eye-religious-freedom/ 
• http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/04/libyan-jew-blocked-tripoli-synagogue