The Middle East is a region famous for the overwhelming numbers of Muslims, particularly Sunni and Shia.
Even though with such tiny numbers, Christians across the region still practice their faith in the middle of adversity such as persecution, displacement, discrimination and even violence.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia does not allow the construction of churches within its borders. Despite this, an estimated 2.1 million Christians, primarily foreign workers, live and worship in private homes, company compounds, and discreet locations.
While unofficial gatherings take place, some reported within Riyadh and Jeddah compounds, they are not publicly recognized.
Historically, an ancient 4th‑century church ruin points to early Christian presence, but today no functioning church buildings are permitted. This creates a contrast: a sizable Christian population but zero visible churches.
Yemen
Yemen is officially hostile to Christian worship and has virtually no functioning churches, especially amid ongoing conflict. The country's Christian population is estimated at a mere few thousand, and public worship is impossible.
No reliable data exist on church buildings with only historical remnants are all that remain. The Christian presence is nearly invisible, underscored by the absence of any contemporary church infrastructure.
Iran
Iran, home to 300,000–370,000 Christians, primarily ethnic Armenians and Assyrians, has roughly 600 registered churches serving their minority communities. These include Armenian Apostolic, Assyrian, Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical denominations.
While new converts from Muslim backgrounds face persecution, longstanding ethnic‑based Christian communities maintain church life.
Notably, though Iran restricts evangelism, authorities protect many ancient churches, which paradoxically enjoy more preservation than in some officially secular countries.
The Gulf States Beside Saudi Arabia
The UAE boasts around 54 churches, the most in any Gulf state. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman also permit churches for expatriate Christians. Oman has 21 Catholic and 21 Protestant congregations, including four Catholic parishes.
Reliable counts for other Gulf states are limited, but construction of new cathedrals like Bahrain’s “Our Lady of the Arabs” illustrates growing institutional presence. These churches primarily serve foreign workers from India, the Philippines, and elsewhere.
Egypt
Egypt’s Christian population, largely Coptic Orthodox, is estimated between 7.5 and 15 million, or roughly 9–10% of the population. Church density is comparatively low: one Orthodox church serves approximately 5,800 Copts, while mosques outnumber churches by about 8 to 1.
Construction of new churches has increased recently, characterized as “an unprecedented pace”, and major cathedrals have been inaugurated, such as Cairo’s Nativity of Christ Cathedral. Still, building permits remain tightly controlled, requiring presidential approval.
Jordan
Christians in Jordan number around 250,000, approximately 2–3% of the population. They enjoy considerable freedom: public worship is allowed, churches are fully recognized by the government, and Christians hold reserved seats in parliament and business roles.
No exact count of church buildings is available, but Christian communities are well‑established in cities like Amman and Madaba, hosting Eastern Orthodox, Catholic (Latin, Melkite), and Protestant congregations.
Not only that, the government also maintains the famous baptismal sites along the Jordan River for pilgrims.
Syria
Before the civil war, Syria had Christians constituting around 5–9% of its 18 million population, that's about 800,000–1 million people. Major denominations include Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Assyrian, Armenian, and others.
Reliable counts of church buildings are lacking, but historically there were hundreds of churches across urban centers like Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Maaloula.
The conflict has damaged many, but remnants remain. Present Christian numbers have declined due to displacement and emigration.
Iraq
Iraq hosts a diminished Christian community of approximately 200,000–300,000, mostly Chaldean Catholics and Assyrians. Before 2003, their numbers were higher with several hundred churches.
This included the Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Greek Orthodox and Catholic ones, served these communities.
Many were targeted during the conflict with ISIS; others fell into disrepair. Today, some remain active, particularly in the Nineveh Plains and Kurdish region, but most are significantly reduced in number and capacity.
Israel and Palestine Territory
Israel has around 144,000–194,000 Christians, mostly Palestinian Arabs, with additional Russian and Ethiopian Christians.
The West Bank’s Christian population is about 30,000–35,000, down from 20% of the population forty years ago when some areas such as Nazareth were under the Israeli control.
East Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem, and other historic towns contain numerous churches from Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. Though no national tally of church buildings exists, they are highly visible and central to community life.
Lebanon
Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East where Christianity used to be the dominant religion with estimated percentage of 75% before World War I.
While the numbers have greatly diminished, Lebanon still holds the largest share of Christians in the Middle East: roughly 33–41% of its population, translating to around 1.6–1.8 million Christians.
The country guarantees half its parliamentary seats to Christians and hosts a remarkable diversity: Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Melkite, Armenian, Syriac, Protestant, and others.
Estimates of church buildings vary, but directories list over 182 churches with phone numbers, plus hundreds more without public contacts, suggesting a total in the hundreds.
Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, and Beirut together house the majority, with Mount Lebanon alone hosting nearly 300. Lebanon therefore ranks highest in the region both by proportion of population and number of church buildings.
