Christians, Muslims are most persecuted

Christians and Muslims are persecuted in more countries than any other religious group, according to a decade-long Pew Research Center study of religious restrictions around the world.

The analysis found high levels of persecution in 42% of countries studied and an overall rise in social hostilities involving religion.

Christians and Muslims, the largest and most widespread globally of any groups, experienced government and/or social religious persecution in 143 and 140 countries respectively, Pew researchers found.

The most harassment for both groups occurred in the Middle East-North Africa region. The Asia-Pacific region showed the second highest levels of Christian persecution. Europe came in second in persecution of Muslims. (BP)