Qalandar: Islam and Interfaith Relations in South Asia

Qalandar: Islam and Interfaith Relations in South Asia

http://www.islaminterfaith.org/

Publisher: Qalander

Almost four in ten South Asians are Muslims, and South Asian Muslims form
the single largest Muslim population in the world. Islam in South Asia has
had to co-exist, ever since its arrival in the region in the first century
of the Islamic calendar, with a bewildering variety of religions and cults.
Living in close proximity with people of other faiths has not always been
easy. Conflicts between Muslims and others have been as common a feature of
South Asian history as have accommodation and mutual respect.

Today, as militant Islamists and fascist Hindu supremacists gain increasing
power and salience, heralding mass murder and mayhem, the need for dialogue
between people of different faiths has never been greater before. Qalandar
is intended to help promote discussion and research on the issue of Islam
and inter-faith relations, with a particular focus on Islam and Muslims in
South Asia, past as well as contemporary.

It will also seek to highlight alternate visions and understandings of Islam
developed by South Asian Muslims, which we see as valuable resources in the
struggle against inter-communal violence and intolerance. This is no mere
academic luxury, however. If Qalandar could help people to change the ways
in which they imagine inter-faith relations, shed their ancient prejudices
and inspire them to work for communal harmony, peace and social justice in
our part of the world, it would more than have served its purpose.

Yoginder Sikand
Editor
Monthly Qalandar 

Email: ysikand@hotmail.com, ysikand@yahoo.com

Amna Khaishgi
Executive Editor
Monthly Qalandar 

Email: amnakhaishgi@hotmail.com, amnakhaishgi@yahoo.com

Content freely accessible online.

Current Issue: Issue 32 (May 2005)
 
Date: 17 May 2005