Historians estimate that over 15 formerly Christian-majority countries and territories were conquered during the early Islamic conquests and Ottoman expansion. However, the vast majority were not immediately forced into Islam.
Instead, early Muslim rulers generally allowed Christians to keep their faith under the dhimmi system—a legal status that required the payment of a special tax (the jizya) in exchange for protection and the freedom to practice their religion.
While there were instances of forced conversions by certain militant dynasties (such as the Almohad Caliphate in North Africa and Spain), the shift to an Islamic majority in these regions largely occurred over centuries. This transformation was driven primarily by indirect pressures, such as heavy taxation, social and economic discrimination, and the desire for upward mobility within the ruling Islamic societies.
Historically, the notable Christian regions and ancient nations that eventually transitioned to Islamic majorities following conquests include:
- The Levant: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine.
- North Africa: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
- Mesopotamia & Anatolia: Modern-day Iraq and Turkey (formerly the Byzantine Empire).
- Europe: Large parts of Spain, Portugal (al-Andalus), Sicily, and parts of the Balkans (e.g., Albania and Bosnia) under the Ottoman Empire































































