Religion and Conflict in South Asia: A Study of Transnational Bangladeshi Muslim Women

Abstract

Study of religion and conflict are sensitive and complex areas to navigate but of major importance. Any conflict analysis requires sound theoretical foundations and clearly defined concepts. South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions in the world, with a population of over one-fifth of the world. It is a well-known fact that South Asia represents a broad variety of western political systems as well as presents indigenous religious traditions. Religion appeared as a key factor in the partition of British India; subsequent communal conflicts, sectarian violence perpetrated by different religious communities in the countries of the region could not influence religious influence (Abidi, Azrai. Muslim women and their representation in South Asian politics.; Islam and Muslim Societies—a Social Science Journal 6.2 (2013): 11-27.) Compared to other regions of the world, Asia is one that is especially prone to conflict because of identity-related household disputes, particularly those centred around historicity. Also, prominent domestic disputes over identity at low intensities characterise the conflicting environment in Asia. It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that there hasn’t been any contemporary tendency in Southeast Asia toward the increased culturalization of violence. Instead, identity disputes in Southeast Asia appear to be deeply ingrained, and as such, de-escalation tactics often encounter significant resistance. However, cultural conflicts