Strengthening Interreligious Studies and Interfaith Dialogue in Asia: A Preliminary Overview

Abstract

This paper attempts to elucidate the future of interreligious studies and interfaith dialogue in Asia’s landscape, which deals with the critical phase of religion and politics relationship. Nowadays, Asia is moving along a dangerous track, as religion is actively involved in political contestation. Thus, the emergence of what is called ethnopolitics is defining Asia’s trend. This article argues that the crisis in many Asian countries has crucial implications for inter-group relationships and coexistence. This paper also argues that the development and examination of interreligious studies and interfaith dialogue in this situation is not solely an academic activity. Interreligious studies can produce productive tools and mechanisms for challenging and reducing the negative impact of the relationship between religion and politics. Keywords: Religion; Politics; Conflict; Crisis; Interreligious Studies; Interfaith Dialogue; Asia