Middle East
The Middle East is not a precisely defined geographic area. It includes parts of southwest Asia (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia) and North Africa (Egypt, Libya) as well as Turkey. Arabic is the language of the majority, and Islam is the dominant religion, although Judaism and Christianity also originated there. Constant conflict, some of it ethnically based, undercuts political and economic stability and often affects global prospects for peace. Most projects are located in Israel/Palestine and include schools, human rights projects, and services for the disabled and children. All United Methodist missionaries are in Israel/Palestine.