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Jordan: Religions & Peoples
INTRODUCTION
1. Political situation
2. Economy
3. Health & Education
4. Religions & Peoples
5. History
| RELIGIONS |
Islam
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5,600,000 |
95% |
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Sunnis
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4,700,000 |
80% |
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Shi'is
|
900,000 |
15% |
Christianity
|
300,000 |
5% |
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Melkite Greek Catholics
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120,000 |
2% |
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Syrian Orthodox
|
60,000 |
1% |
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Armenian Orthodox
|
50,000 |
0.8% |
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Roman Catholics
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25,000 |
0.4% |
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Greek Orthodox
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20,000 |
0.3% |
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Armenian Catholics
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15,000 |
0.3% |
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Syrian Catholics
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10,000 |
0.2% |
Baha'i
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18,000 |
0.3% |
Druze
|
15,000 |
0.2% |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
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Palestinian Arabs
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4,000,000 |
60% |
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Bedouins and Jordanian Arabs
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2,600,000 |
38% |
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Armenians
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70,000 |
1% |
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Circassians
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40,000 |
0.6% |
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Around 95% of the Jordanians are Muslims. Sunnis make up 80% of the whole population, while Shi'is, mainly living in the East represent about 15%. The third group are the Christians, who represent about 5% of the population of Jordan.
The Christians belong to several churches, the largest is the orthodox. The largest Christian group is the Palestinians, other groups are Armenians and Cherchessians. According to Jordan law, the country is Muslim, but minority religious groups have autonomy in certain questions.
60% of all Jordanians are Palestinians. Most of these have the status of being refugees. If the refugees are not counted, Jordanian Arabs represent the majority, while Armenians and Circassians both count for less than 1% of the population.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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