Panama, a reference for its successful accommodation of the de facto religious diversity and the peaceful coexistence between historical, tribal and new religions
This year, the ‘Faith and Freedom Summit’ organized by civil society organizations of Europe and America is taking place in Panama, a small country of 4.4 inhabitants in Central America.
While the last summit was hosted in the European Parliament in Brussels, it is the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (Parlatino), comprising 23 countries, which this year is opening its doors on 24-25 September to this prestigious event gathering more than 40 speakers: prominent academics, human rights defenders, religious and political leaders from Panama, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Spain, the United States, France, Holland, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
The Kingpin of this project is Giselle Lima, Co-Coordinator of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable of Panama.
Why a conference on freedom of religion or belief in Panama?
Panama has been specifically chosen for this international meeting because the fundamental principles of freedom of religion or belief established by the United Nations are met by Panama. Its Constitution and its laws have led to good practices that can be shown with pride to other big democracies in America and Europe which have not achieved the same level of harmonious coexistence between the state on the one hand and the full range of religious or belief communities on the other hand.
In Panama, a country which is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, everybody has the right to change his religion or belief. Freedom of association, of worship and of assembly is respected. Freedom of expression and of sharing one’s faith in the public space is unimpeded. As the country has no army, there is no military service, which is especially important for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Relations are harmonious between society and religions as well as between the various religions. No inter-religious conflicts, no campaigns inciting hostility or hatred against specific religious or belief minority groups. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientologists and other religious minorities are treated fairly in the media, which is not always the case in big democracies.
Panama’s modesty needed to be rewarded by a big international event. The Faith and Freedom Summit is doing it.
Statistical data
In a 2022 Panama National Institute of Statistics and Census survey,
65 percent of respondents identified as Catholic;
22 percent as Evangelical;
6 percent as having no religion;
4 percent as “other religion.”
Jewish leaders estimate their community at 15,000 members, centered largely in Panama City.
A Shia Muslim leader estimated the Muslim community (Shia and Sunni) amounts to 14,000, with most Muslims located in Panama City, Colon, and Penonome. Shia Muslims are primarily of Lebanese origin, and Sunni Muslims are primarily of other Arab and Pakistani origin.
Other groups making up less than 5 percent of the population include (in descending order of membership) Episcopalians, Baha’is, Buddhists, Methodists, Lutherans, and Rastafarians.
Other small religious groups, found primarily in Panama City and other large urban areas, include Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, Hindus, Pentecostals, Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches, the Church of Scientology, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Local religious leaders estimated only a few individuals are Babalaos, who follow the Yoruba religious tradition and are associated with Cuba’s Santeria religion.
Indigenous communities are home to numerous Indigenous religions, including Ibeorgun (prevalent among Guna Panamanians), Mama Tata and Mama Chi (prevalent among Ngabe-Bugle Panamanians), and Embera (prevalent among the Embera Panamanians).
Adherents of these religions live across the country, which complicates efforts to estimate their numbers. Indigenous representatives estimate the practitioners of Mama Tata and Mama Chi number in the tens of thousands, whereas the practitioners of Ibeorgun and Embera likely number in the thousands.
