Interfaith Dialogue in a Multicultural Social Context and Its Practice in Sri Lankan State Universities: An Islamic Perspective

Abstract

In today's modern world, excessive religious and ethnic chauvinism, along with prejudice between communities, has led to increased violence and conflict within societies. This trend is steering countries with multi-ethnic social structures, like Sri Lanka, towards destruction and has become a significant threat to national peace and security. Therefore, it has been widely emphasized that interfaith dialogue should be prioritized in multi-ethnic societies to prevent escalation into outright conflict. This study aims to present Islamic guidelines on the necessity of interfaith dialogue in a multi-ethnic context and to assess the practical stance of Muslim students in this regard at Sri Lankan state universities. To achieve the objectives of this research, a mixed-method approach was employed. Primary data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were derived from previous literature. A total of 308 Muslim students from 12 faculties across 17 state universities in Sri Lanka were selected for data collection via questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Additional data were obtained through direct observation and elaborated within the study. The findings reveal that Muslim students studying at Sri Lankan state universities, guided by Islamic principles, exhibit strong interfaith relations. These include viewing individuals from other faiths as fellow human beings, engaging in respectful and meaningful dialogue, forming friendships with peers of other faiths, attending lectures together, playing sports jointly, inviting them home during holidays, assisting during difficulties, and participating in their joyous and sorrowful occasions. These actions indicate sustained interfaith relationships. However, it was observed that students of other religions studying at these universities had limited opportunities to independently learn about and understand the ethical teachings, values, moralprinciples, and belief-based aspects presented in Islamic sources such as the Qur'an and Sunnah. Consequently, this study offers recommendations and guidelines to expand such initiatives.