Religion in Libya

[4] Libya was until recent times the home of one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, dating back to at least 300 BC.

[5] A series of pogroms beginning in November 1945 lasted for almost three years, drastically reducing Libya's Jewish population.

Religious minorities can face intense pressure to convert or revert to Islam, especially in areas controlled by Salafist militant groups.

The SDF (Special Deterrent Force), a Salafist armed group previously affiliated with the GNA, have reportedly arrested several people accused of violating Islamic law.

Hence, popular Islam became an overlay of Qur'anic ritual and principles upon the vestiges of earlier beliefs - prevalent throughout North Africa - in jinns (spirits), the evil eye, rites to ensure good fortune, and cult veneration of local saints.

The educated of the cities and towns served as the primary bearers and guardians of the more austere brand of orthodox Islam.

The largest Christian group in Libya is the Coptic Orthodox made up entirely of Egyptian immigrant workers, with a population of over 60,000 people in 2016.

Once home to a very large and thriving Jewish community, Libya is now completely empty of Jews due to anti-Jewish pogroms and immigration to Israel.

[citation needed] During World War II, Libya's Jewish population was subjected to anti-Semitic laws by the Fascist Italian regime and deportations by German troops.

[citation needed] Thousands of Jews fled the country after Libya was granted independence and membership in the Arab League in 1951.

After the Six-Day War, the Jewish population of 7,000 was again subjected to pogroms in which 18 were killed, and many more injured, sparking a near-total exodus that left fewer than 100 Jews in Libya.

[citation needed] Under former ruler Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the situation became a lot worse, as all Jewish property was confiscated and all debts to Jews cancelled.