This international conference will examine the factors that are responsible for violence in the name of religion. Examples of the way violent action is connected with religion and politics can be found in different countries of the world. Those who cause violence often claim to find the inspiration and the justification for their actions in the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism or Hinduism. But what precisely is the relationship, if any, between these religions and the violence perpetrated in their name? Violence in the name of religion is often based on a misinterpretation of texts from the holy books of either one of these world religions. This conference will investigate the various ways in which people make use of religion for their own political and social purposes even if this requires the use of violence.

Sub-themes

• An analysis of specific examples of the manipulation of religion for political ends
• The reality of state and non-state terrorism in the name of religion
• The search for ways to reduce violence in the name of religion against women, minorities and other groups or sects
• The re-examination of some relevant texts in the Holy Books of all the religions that may have been misinterpreted to justify religious violence
• Should violence in the name of religion be understood in terms of religious factors only or as a mixture of political, social, cultural and psychological factors as well?
• Can the wounds caused by violence due to the misinterpretation of religious texts be addressed and healed?

Language

Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts in English and Urdu Only in MS Word