abstractAl-Enizycorrected

Religious rights and freedom of belief was never expected to be a reason for waging a war. In contrast, they were granted to all and respected by all, including the enemies. Unfortunately, in recent years, this protection has been subject to consecutive violations. Religious differences have become a common excuse to wage wars. People are forced to change their religion or discard their belief, or at least pretend to believe in a certain religion, just to be safe. Moreover, religious personnel and worship places have become main targets of military attacks. The aim of this article is to examine the legal protection given by international law to religion, religious personnel, and worship places, in both, peacetime, and in times of armed conflict. Section one; explains how the protection of religious rights has changed over the years. Section two explores the definition of religious rights and freedom of belief in international law. It also attempts to define religion and belief. Section three focuses on the protection of religious rights and freedom of belief in peacetime. It also discusses the instruments that provide such protection. Section four, however, focuses on the protection of religious rights and freedom of belief in times of armed conflict. This section also clarifies the importance of religion in times of armed conflict. Finally, section five addresses the jurisprudence of the international criminal courts pertaining to religious rights and freedom of belief. Last but not least, this article concludes how religions could maintain a peaceful relationship among nations, and how believers of all religions should love each other, and not allow officials or individuals to abuse religious matters for political goals.