Research has found that tensions, conflicts, and wars worsen the views groups hold towards each other and, plausibly, increase social distance (Parks 1924; Bogardus 1925; Owen et al. 1981; Siber 1997; Parrillo and Donoghue 2005; Oswald 2005; Strabac 2016). Since the twentieth century the Middle East is caught up in interlocking pattern of crises, conflicts, wars, and terrorism. Almost every country in the region have serious problems in social and political stability. The focus of this study is to investigate levels of social distance in conflict areas like Iraq and Lebanon where thousands of people have been killed and displaced because of civil wars and counter-terrorism. I use Arab Democracy Barometer Survey data, Wave II to investigate the determinants of social distance. I am specifically interested to see the relative importance of: practicing religious rituals i.e. praying, fasting, attending Friday prayer/Sunday service; sectarian/denominational identification; and in-group favoritism as determinants of social distance. Findings indicate that Iraqis have higher levels of social distance than the Lebanese. Further, controlling for age, gender, education, and geographical area (urban vs rural) findings indicate that there is no association between practicing religious rituals and social distance. Finally, there is a positive association between the outcome variable and sectarian/denominational identification, as well as, in-group favoritism.