Prince Charles has spoken of the “indescribable tragedy” threatening Christianity in the Middle East, a region where people of different faiths had “lived peaceably for centuries”.
His comments were made on Tuesday in a video message to mark the publication of a report by the Roman Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need, which found that global religious freedom had entered “a period of serious decline” in the past two years.
Arguing that religious tolerance was essential for a free society, the prince said faith leaders had a “responsibility” to ensure people within their own tradition respect people of other faiths.
The report, launched in the House of Lords, concluded that “Christians remain the most persecuted religious minority, due partly to their wide geographic spread and high relative numbers”. It added: “However, Muslims are also experiencing a serious degree of persecution and discrimination, both at the hands of other Muslims, and from authoritarian governments.”
Muslim countries predominate the list of states with the most serious religious violations, the report stated.
The prince, pictured with the Countess of Cornwall in Mexico this week as part of their Latin American tour, has expressed to wish to become “defender of faith” rather than “defender of the faith” upon his coronation, said his own Christian faith had enabled him to “speak and listen to” people from other traditions, including Islam.
In the video he said it was “essential” that governments uphold the right of people to practise their faith. “Even in the west this is often challenged,” he said. “Sadly, in many other countries an absence of freedom to determine one’s faith is woven into laws of the nation.”
