Panama, a reference for its profitable lodging of the de facto non secular variety and the peaceable coexistence between historic, tribal and new religions
This 12 months, the ‘Religion and Freedom Summit’ organized by civil society organizations of Europe and America is happening in Panama, a small nation of 4.4 inhabitants in Central America.
Whereas the final summit was hosted within the European Parliament in Brussels, it’s the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino), comprising 23 nations, which this 12 months is opening its doorways on 24-25 September to this prestigious occasion gathering greater than 40 audio system: distinguished teachers, human rights defenders, non secular and political leaders from Panama, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Spain, the USA, France, Holland, Mexico and the UK.
The Kingpin of this venture is Giselle Lima, Co-Coordinator of the Worldwide Non secular Freedom Roundtable of Panama.
Why a convention on freedom of faith or perception in Panama?
Panama has been particularly chosen for this worldwide assembly as a result of the elemental ideas of freedom of faith or perception established by the United Nations are met by Panama. Its Structure and its legal guidelines have led to good practices that may be proven with delight to different huge democracies in America and Europe which haven’t achieved the identical degree of harmonious coexistence between the state on the one hand and the total vary of non secular or perception communities alternatively.
In Panama, a rustic which is a celebration to the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all people has the precise to alter his faith or perception. Freedom of affiliation, of worship and of meeting is revered. Freedom of expression and of sharing one’s religion within the public area is unimpeded. Because the nation has no military, there isn’t a army service, which is particularly essential for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Relations are harmonious between society and religions in addition to between the assorted religions. No inter-religious conflicts, no campaigns inciting hostility or hatred in opposition to particular non secular or perception minority teams. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists and different non secular minorities are handled pretty within the media, which isn’t all the time the case in huge democracies.
Panama’s modesty wanted to be rewarded by a giant worldwide occasion. The Religion and Freedom Summit is doing it.
Statistical information
In a 2022 Panama Nationwide Institute of Statistics and Census survey,
65 p.c of respondents recognized as Catholic;
22 p.c as Evangelical;
6 p.c as having no faith;
4 p.c as “different faith.”
Jewish leaders estimate their group at 15,000 members, centered largely in Panama Metropolis.
A Shia Muslim chief estimated the Muslim group (Shia and Sunni) quantities to 14,000, with most Muslims situated in Panama Metropolis, Colon, and Penonome. Shia Muslims are primarily of Lebanese origin, and Sunni Muslims are primarily of different Arab and Pakistani origin.
Different teams making up lower than 5 p.c of the inhabitants embody (in descending order of membership) Episcopalians, Baha’is, Buddhists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Rastafarians.
Different small non secular teams, discovered primarily in Panama Metropolis and different massive city areas, embody Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, Pentecostals, Greek and Russian Orthodox Church buildings, the Church of Scientology, and the Worldwide Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Native non secular leaders estimated only some people are Babalaos, who observe the Yoruba non secular custom and are related to Cuba’s Santeria faith.
Indigenous communities are residence to quite a few Indigenous religions, together with Ibeorgun (prevalent amongst Guna Panamanians), Mama Tata and Mama Chi (prevalent amongst Ngabe-Bugle Panamanians), and Embera (prevalent among the many Embera Panamanians).
Adherents of those religions stay throughout the nation, which complicates efforts to estimate their numbers. Indigenous representatives estimate the practitioners of Mama Tata and Mama Chi quantity within the tens of hundreds, whereas the practitioners of Ibeorgun and Embera doubtless quantity within the hundreds.
