Research has found that tensions, conflicts, and wars worsen the views groups hold towards each other and, plausibly, increase social distance. ... Since the twentieth century the Middle East is caught up in interlocking pattern of crises, conflicts, wars, and terrorism. Almost every country in the region have serious problems in social and political stability. The focus of this study is to investigate levels of social distance in conflict areas like Iraq and Lebanon where thousands of people have been killed and displaced because of civils wars and counter-terrorism. ... We are specifically interested to see the relative importance of: practicing religious rituals i.e. praying, fasting, attending Friday prayer/Sunday service; sectarian/denominational identification; and voting behavior as determinants of social distance.--Abstract
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