ROLE OF RELIGION IN SOCIETY & HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Does Religion Matter At All?• the greater part of the world's population is religious• the proportion of the religious population is growing• despite a mainly secular Western world, religion still informs many of

a society's underlying values• no complete separation between state and religion in any nation• religion influences the private sphere, civil society and the political

stage• in times of existential crises religion plays an even more important

roleFor communities• the number of faith-based organizations (FBOs) – ranging from

moderate• To fundamentalist – is increasing

A Word of Caution• The role of religion in socienty varies greatly with many factors

such as• form of government• dominance of one single religion• authority of religious leaders

The role of religion in humanitarian action also depends on• emerency relief vs. religious conflict• the role religion plays in the affected community/society• the presence of other FBOs or secular organizations

• → Context does matter!

Religion in Society (Present)

• Politics:• Political parties formed on the bases of

religion• Vote for a specific party to go to haven \

clerics influence\ rates of illiteracy (Egypt)• parties claiming the ownership of religions

Religion in Society (Present)

• Education• Teaching religion in schools as a subject (state

approved curriculum)• religious based schools (Christian or Islamic)

West & East• depending on the school; one sided

interpretation of religion \ no free though

Religion in Society (Present)

• Business:• Holy dirt: Israeli company exporting dirt from

Jerusalem to the US• Halal food restaurants in the west• Head-scarves, crosses, Icons, praying carpets• Religious tourism; tourism companies

organizing only pilgrimage trips to Mecca

Religion in Society (Present)

• Media:• preaching• contempt other religions• censorship? (politicized – hate speech-

citizens or acknowledged clerics)

State & Religion

Political unit

Institution Practices and beliefs

Distinction Form of Government

Example

Military Army Order & security

Right & wrong

Dictatorship North Korea

Minority Ethnicity, Group

Superiority & discrimination

Us vs. others HegemonyAutocracy

South Africa,Colonies

Science Experts Efficiency & objectivity

Expertise vs. corruption

Technocracy Italy, Greece

Economy Market Liberalise & profit

Private vs. public

PlutocracyOligarchy

Southern Europe (crisis)

Religion Deity Supernatural being

Sacred vs. profane

Theocracy Vatican, Saudi Arabia, Iran?

Religion in Society (Future)

• A role in the public sphere.

• But not take control of the State.

• Neither imposing a way of living.

• Religion cannot substitute State’s institutions.

Religion in Humanitarian Action (Present)

Religion has its own dynamic logic. However Through FBO in humanitarian action, religion may have political effects (McGinnis)

• FBO are inspired by 2 motivations• Humanitarian Action, religion and conflict resolution• Humanitarian action and religion and access to population

FBO are inspired by 2 motivations (McGinnis)• Spread influence / conversion;Ex 1- Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse and other U.S.-based aid

groups admitted that they hoped to contribute to the reconstruction process by converting locals to Christianity, which they felt would make Iraqis more amenable to democratic governance)

Ex 2- , Goal of IIRO is the re-Islamization of Muslim countries in former Soviet Union. (Benthall 2006:4)

• Assist those whom are suffering or disadvantaged core values of any religion, to provide spiritual, material, etc • Christian, including political activism (ex, Advocacy for human

right and democratic values, social participation and empowerment, (caritas)

Within Conflict resolution, religion is a partner with multilateral organizations collaborating within the framework of peace building. In which one cornerstone is rebuild relationship and improve governance.

•Track 2 conflict resolution: integrative and exchange power dominance, interconnection between top don and bottom up diplomacy. Such synergies may contribute to peace process and creates institutions for sustainable peace ( ej. inter/intra religious dialogue, organization of committees (as mentioned by Caritas)•Reconciliation: taking place in post conflict process, and as component of transitional justice (true telling), le inter/intra religious dialogue/activities

Access to population in need.

• Based on religious values/states, beneficiaries and organization s can facilitate access to beneficiaries (Taiwanese-based Tzu Chi Ogr. Was allowed to access earthquake victims in China)

• Geographical presence: religion can facilitate access to humanitarian action ( grassroots structure within the society (proximity) ex, Colombia san José de Apartado)

Religion in Humanitarian Action (Future)

A greater role in peace talks (Mediation, negotiation etc.)

- A paradigm shift from present track II to track I

- Or - Fill the present Gaps ?

Role in Conflict Prevention

Peace Education ToleranceCoexistence

Respect for diversity

Better Impact !

Diversification of faith based organization

Or

Islamic Relief in Islamic states?Christian Aid in Christian

countries?

Conclusion• Religion plays a very important role in the life of the community

in general in normal times and is accorded higher status during an emergency.

• The presence of faith based organizations in society and in humanitarian regime in particular has increased considerably. Estrangement to Engagement (Clark & Jennings, 2008)

• There is a diversity in faith based organizations and from secular to militant FBO: It is a continuum: No, low and high religious pervasiveness (Carlo, 2006) or secular, passive, active, pervasive, exclusive (Clark and Jennings, 2008).

• FBOs sometimes have their own mission “Proselytizing ”, “Dawa” and “Umma”.

• Do no harm?

Conclusion• Coordination key (secular-FBOs and among FBOs) • Religious institutions have been a great source for

mobilizing resources (Church, Zakat, Seva, Bhikshu).• More funds to FBOs {10 (2001) to 25 % (2008) USA}• Most of the FBOs put higher priority of aiding

community of their own faith (Carlo, 2006)• The challenge is also to differentiate between faith

based humanitarian agencies and religious bodies with political objectives (Kirmani and Khan, 2008)

• There might be a contradiction between FBO and Government policies (Kirmani and Khan, 2008)

Food for Thought

• Whether faith based organizations should promote diversity of faith/pluralism and have the basis of their interventions focusing on the faith of the community?

• Can secular organizations care take of the religious and spiritual needs of the community? Is poverty reduction or relief distribution all about material needs?

Thank You

• Rahat Chowdhary• Nada Yehia• Maximiliano Verdinelli• Alfonso Basanta• Karolin Etterer• Shakeb Nabi