Religious Cohesion in Times of Conflict: Christian-Muslim Relations in Segregated Towns

Description

In Religious Cohesion in Times of Conflict Andrew Holden presents the results and analysis of the key findings of a sociological investigation which seeks to establish the contribution that Christian-Muslim partnerships can make to community cohesion. Beginning with a historical and sociological overview of faith relations, a description of the empirical methodology and a discussion of the evolution of Christian-Muslim partnerships, Andrew Holden goes on to highlight how the fieldwork data demonstrates the challenges of uniting young people in segregated towns and cities. He considers the implications of the findings for education policy, examining some of the ways in which schools and colleges can promote faith cohesion, and further addresses the issue of faith leadership, considering how the changing faith landscape affects the work of Christian and Muslim clerics. He concludes by considering possible ways forward for Christian-Muslim relations both in Britain and in the international context and for the development of new partnerships between faith and secular organizations.

Andrew Holden is a Lecturer in Sociology at the East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education and an Associate Researcher at the University of Lancaster.

This is a pioneering sociological investigation into the impact of inter-religious initiatives on developing cohesion after the riots in northern cities in 2001. -- Journal of Islamic Studies "This book breaks new ground by considering how inter-faith dialogue can contribute to religious cohesion in situations of division. Its original research, and careful and realistic conclusions, will be of interest to many who work in local communities, as well as to scholars of religion and society." - Professor Linda Woodhead, Department of Religious Studies, Lancaster University, UK 'But in the chapter on young people meeting together, one glimpses an all too rare vision of purpose, faith, and the meeting of warm human beings across human divides.' -- De Numine