Religious segregation facts for kids

Road sign on a highway into Mecca: One direction is "Muslims only" while another direction is "obligatory for non-Muslims". Religious police are stationed beyond the turnoff on the main road to prevent non-Muslims from proceeding into Mecca.

Religious segregation is when people are separated or treated differently because of their religion. This can happen through laws or social rules. Sometimes, a country's laws might only apply to people of a certain faith. For example, Sharia law is a set of rules that applies to Muslims.

The term religious apartheid is also used. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that happened in South Africa. Religious apartheid means separating people by religion in a similar way.

Examples of Religious Segregation

Education and Faith in Iran

In Iran, some students have been removed from university because they are not Muslims, but follow the Baha'i religion. According to a publication called Times Higher Education, Baha'i people who want to teach in Iranian universities are asked to give up their faith.

The Baha'i faith is not one of the "recognized religious minorities" in Iran's Constitution. This is because Baha'is believe in a prophet named Bahá'u'lláh who came after Muhammad. Islamic teachings say that Muhammad was the last and final messenger sent to people.

Holy Cities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia considers the cities of Mecca and Medina to be very holy places. Because of this, only Muslims are allowed to enter or travel through these cities. If someone who is not Muslim enters one of these cities, they might have to pay a fine. Non-Muslims found in Mecca can also be sent out of the country.

Images for kids

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  A "peace line" in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 2010. These walls separate Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods.

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  Map of colonial India, which was divided to create Pakistan as a homeland for Indian Muslims.

See also

In Spanish: Segregación religiosa para niños