Jonathan Goodhand, Jonathan Spencer, Humeira Iqtidar, Alan Keenan, David Mosse

Date: 19 January 2015 – Time: 5:30 PM

Finishes: 19 January 2015 – Time: 7:00 PM

Venue: Russell Square: College BuildingsRoom: Meet 116

Checkpoint, Temple, Church and Mosque is based on fieldwork in Sri Lanka’s most religiously diverse and politically troubled region in the closing years of the civil war. It provides a series of new and provocative arguments about the promise of a religiously based civil society, and the strengths and weaknesses of religious organisations and religious leaders in conflict mediation. It argues that for people trapped in long and violent conflicts, religion plays a contradictory role, often acting as a comforting and stabilising force but also, in certain situations, acting as a source of new conflict. Additionally, war itself can lead to profound changes in religious institutions: Catholic priests engage with Buddhist monks and new Muslim leaders, while Hindu temples and Pentecostal churches offer the promise of healing.

This event will discuss key themes related to the book with a distinguished panel.

Speakers

Jonathan Goodhand (SOAS/Melbourne)
Jonathan Spencer (Edinburgh)
Humeira Iqtidar (Kings College London)
Alan Keenan (International Crisis Group)
David Mosse (SOAS)

Free and open to all

Organiser: SOAS South Asia Institute
Contact email: jg27@soas.ac.uk
Contact Tel: +44(0)207898 4390
Sponsor: SOAS South Asia Institute