The overwhelming majority of people who populate the Middle East and North Africa are Muslim. Indeed, Islamic civilization has dominated the region for hundreds upon hundreds of years. And it is a testament to the civilization's embrace of diversity that other religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and many other lesser-known religions have flourished in this place.
And while many would like to frame the conflict in Palestine as a conflict between Jewish people and Arabs, there is plenty of history that shows that the story isn't so simple. From North Africa to Saudi Arabia, Jewish sites dot the region, some dating back over a thousand years. Here are a few you probably didn't know about.
1. Khaybar, Saudi Arabia
The oasis had a strong Jewish population until the 6th or 7th century A.D. Due to it's relatively lush setting and it's strategic location, Khaybar was an important stop on the incense trade route between the Levant and Yemen.
2. Maghen Abraham Synagogue, Lebanon
Located in Beirut and originally constructed in 1925, the synagogue was renovated after Lebanon's civil war. Renovations began in 2009 and were supported by all the country's major political and sectarian factions.
"This is a religious place of worship and its restoration is welcome," Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's Secretary General said about renovation. A spokesperson for the group added, "We respect the Jewish religion just like we do Christianity. The Jews have always lived among us. We have an issue with Israel's occupation of land."
3. Yusef Abad Synagogue, Iran
The Yusuf Abad Synagogue in Tehran is one of the largest and most renowned of many synagogues Iran. First established in 1950, the current facade was completed in 1965 to accommodate a growing Jewish population.
4. Temple Beth-El, Morocco
Casablanca alone has more than 30 synagogues. Considered to be a major center for the city's Jewish community, Beth-El was refurbished in 1997.
5. Ahrida Synagogue, Turkey
One of the oldest in Istanbul, the synagogue dates back to the 1400s. It was renovated in 1992 and it is located in Balat, the city's Jewish quarter.
6. Grand Synagogue of Tunis, Tunisia
Inaugurated in 1937, the synagogue was restored in 1996 and also in 2007. While the Jewish community in the North African country remains small, Jews are represented in the national government.
7. Bahrain Synagogue, Bahrain
While the synagogue is nondescript and sits in a state of disuse, a very small Jewish community remains in Bahrain. The community still has representation in the kingdom's parliament. Houda Nonoo, a Jewish woman, served as the country's ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013.