Religion - The Middle East Background Current Affairs Lecture by scholar of religion Heleen Murre-van den Berg

Announcement

To what extent can the role of religion explain current tensions and relations in the Middle East, and when is it overrated? Come listen to religion scholar Heleen Murre-van den Berg and learn more about religion in the Middle East.

Indispensable

The role of religion is a defining factor for the history and current situation in the Middle East. The area is the cradle of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and all of these religions are still represented in the region today. Yet it is too easy to see religion as the most important incentive of tensions in the Middle East. Often factors such as land, power, oil and weapons play a much bigger role. But if we are to understand issues such as national identity formation, political alliances and the historical dynamics of the region, religion is indispensable.

Come in your lunch break and learn more about the background of the turmoil in the Middle East in this third of four Background Current Affairs Lectures on the Middle East. 

This programme is in English.

About the speaker

Heleen Murre-van den Berg is professor of Comparative Religious Studies. She conducts research on Christians in and from the Middle East. She focuses on their history in this region and the settlement of these Christians in Europe. Language, literature and imagery play an important role in her research on their religious practices.