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Libya: Religions & Peoples
INTRODUCTION
1. Political situation
2. Economy
3. Health & Education
4. Religions & Peoples
5. History
| RELIGIONS |
Islam
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5,650,000 |
98% |
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Sunnis
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5,600,000 |
97% |
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Ibadi
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65,000 |
1.1% |
Christianity
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100,000 |
1.8% |
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Roman Catholics
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50,000 |
0.9% |
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Copts
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50,000 |
0.9% |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Libyan Arabs
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3,700,000 |
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Berbers
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500,000 |
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Other Arabs
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1,000,000 |
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Europeans
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50,000 |
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Circassians
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20,000 |
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Practically all Libyans are Muslims, belonging to the Sunni branch, but there are also communities that belong to the Ibadi branch, but these count for less than 1% of the total Libyan population.
About 50,000 are Roman Catholics, mostly descendants of the former Italian colonialist community.
A large part of the population of Libya are non-Libyans, counting for at least 20%, and in some areas more than 50% of the total number of inhabitants. These are foreign workers mainly from other Arab countries like Sudan, Egypt, and Tunisia.
The native population of Libya are mainly considering themselves as Arabs, but there is a large influence of Berber origin, and in certain communities, the Berber culture is still the strongest.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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