This inaugural forum of the REL blog brings into focus the groundbreaking research of current doctoral candidates. Too often we only see the end product of these multi-year projects. Yet, PhD dissertations are often tackling some of the biggest questions in the field and in novel ways. The initial two contributions to this forum demonstrate this innovativeness. Negah Angha’s research project examins how Sufi practices of adab (ethical self-discipline) and khedmat (service) contribute to social h…
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Negah Angha, King’s College London My groundbreaking doctoral research delves into the Sufi practices of adab (ethical self-discipline) and khedmat (service), examining how they foster social harmony and actively contribute to community well-being both within and beyond Sufi communities. This dual focus is instrumental in fostering peaceful intercultural and interfaith relationships, while simultaneously enhancing and contributing to the academic literature in international relations and peace…
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What’s Religion Got to do With It?: A British Approach to Religious Engagement by Andrew Dickson
Feb 3, 2025
Andrew Dickson, London School of Economics In the first episode of 1670, a mockumentary following a family of 17th century Polish aristocrats, we are introduced to the scheming youngest son; according to his father, he is ‘already climbing the corporate ladder’. Fr Jakub explains he joined the priesthood because ‘I’ve always wanted a good job on a dynamic and evolving team in a fiscally stable organization with a strong market presence’. It's a good line, and a telling one. For those who regar…
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Archeology as an uncharted dimension of Religion in International Relations by Durgesh Kasbekar
Jul 31, 2024
Archeology plays a role in international co-operation and political relations between countries. Archaeological agencies of different countries often collaborate internationally across borders to restore and preserve historical sites. Nations lend workforce, financial resources, subject matter expertise, and technical knowledge to each other. Sometimes, archaeology may also function as an instrument of an international cultural and diplomatic strategy and assertion of civilizational identity. Th…
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(Blog about the new book: Sikh Nationalism by Gurharpal Singh and Giorgio Shani (Cambridge University Press, 2021; ISBN: 9781316479940). The Sikhs are a distinctive cultural and religious community in South Asia, with a vibrant diaspora and a territorial homeland. There are approximately 26 million Sikhs globally of whom 23 million live India where they are less than 2 per cent of the 1.4 billion population. The vast majority, 18 million (78 per cent) live in the state of Punjab where they const…