Religiosity and Terrorism: Evidence from Ramadan Fasting
CESifo, Munich, 2018
CESifo Working Paper No. 7313
![](https://cesifo.org/DocImg/cesifo1_wp7313.jpg?c=1689237136)
This study examines the effect of religiosity on terrorism by focusing on one of the five pillars of Islam: Ramadan fasting. For identification, we exploit two facts: First, daily fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan is considered mandatory for most Muslims. Second, the Islamic calendar is not synchronized with the solar cycle. We find a robust negative effect of more intense Ramadan fasting on terrorist events within districts and country-years in predominantly Muslim countries. We argue that this effect partly operates through a decrease in public support for terrorism, which in turn reduces the operational capabilities of terrorist groups.
Public Choice
Industrial Organisation