South Asian Journal of Religion and Philosophy (SAJRP)

The Political Socialization of Pakistani Youth: A Quantitative Study of Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

Jafar Riaz Kataria — 2025-12-30

Educational institutions do not only impart formal education but also serve as agents of political socialization. The present quantitative study examines how higher education institutions in Pakistan contribute to the political socialization of youth and to what extent these institutions encourage political participation and informed citizenship. A survey of 100 university students across three cities (Muzaffarabad, Gujrat, and Lahore) was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Results indicate that the political socialization process among university students is dynamic and multi-faceted, involving various formal and informal agents. Family, peers, media, and educational experiences all significantly shape the political awareness, the attitudes and the behaviour of youth. Notably, while most respondents’ value democratic participation, gaps in political knowledge and trust in media were observed. The findings underscore the need to integrate civic education and open up discourse in university environments to foster informed, active citizens. In the light of these findings, policy measures to strengthen the role of universities regarding political socialization are recommended.

Mittā Suhadā Veditabbā: The Buddha’s Teaching on True Friendship in the Sigālovāda Sutta

Dr. Ajith Wellington — 2025-12-30

In Buddhist thought, kalyāṇamitta (spiritual friendship) is regarded as essential for awakening, guiding one along the Noble Eightfold Path. However, the Sigālovāda Sutta introduces a less-examined but vital form of friendship in the words, mittā suhadā veditabbā, or friends who are seen as good-hearted. Unlike the spiritually focused kalyāṇamitta, suhadamitta emphasizes emotionally supportive, socially grounded relationships. The Buddha uses the term suhada (good-hearted) rather than kalyāṇa (noble/spiritual), marking a key distinction in the dimensions of friendship. In the Sutta, he reinterprets the ritual of worshiping the six directions as a symbolic framework for maintaining harmony in six core human relationships: parents, teachers, spouse, friends, religious mentors, and workers, stressing mutual duties over rights. The discourse identifies both harmful and beneficial friendships, highlighting traits of loyalty, compassion, and wise counsel. It also promotes ethical living, prudent wealth management, and mutual care. While suhadamitta supports worldly happiness and moral living, kalyāṇamitta leads to spiritual liberation. Together, these friendships embody Buddhism’s dual goal: fostering social harmony and guiding individuals toward Nibbāna.

Faith and Friction: Underlying Causes of Religious Conflicts in 21st Century

Dr. Uzma Naz — 2025-12-30

Religious wars have existed since the beginning of the humankind and in the 21st century they have also become more complicated and intense because of the globalization process, technological discovery, socio-political changes and the cultural identity crisis. This paper digs deeper into the background of modern religious wars by investigating motives which include political factors, cultural and historical aspects and identity issues. The main objective of the research is to examine the interaction of all these varying issues that promote tensions between various religious groups in various regions. This will help to gain additional insight into the nature of religious conflicts and how they can develop into violence. Areas of the research include the importance of struggle for political power, resource-related rivalries, past resentments, social inequalities, media interventions and the fear of identity-loss, which have all been key factors leading to the continuation and stretching of religious wars. This article has a qualitative approach since it is based on the use of case studies located in different regions of the globe to study the patterns and dynamics of religious conflict. It also has a multi-theoretical approach that integrates Social Identity Theory, Relative Deprivation Theory and Instrumentalism to analyse the psychological, social and political aspects of these conflicts. Research indicates that religious conflict does not have one definite cause but is a result of an interplay of structural inequalities, political exploitation, and cultural unwillingness to change as well as the globalization of ideas and stories. In this research, the current technologies of communication serve two purposes, which include the contribution to the emergence of tensions and the possibility of creating a dialogue. This paper can contribute to the process of policy-making, interfaith interaction and peacebuilding across an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world by uncovering major causes of religious conflict and the implications of dealing with them.

The Ontology of Logic: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Nature of Reasoning

Muhammad Ansar Mehdi — 2025-12-30

This article aims to explore the ontological status of logic while tracing its journey from Classical Greek philosophy to the works of renowned contemporary thinkers. Classical thinkers explored the definite nature of logic in either Plato’s transcendent world of Ideas or Aristotle’s Universal Forms in matter. In the Enlightenment period, Emmanuel Kant positioned logic within the formal structure of thought, while Frege and Russell, two prominent contemporary philosophers, advocated for the objective existence of logic. In contrast, Quine and Wittgenstein questioned the traditional metaphysical grounding of logic and reconsidered logic as linguistically constructed and empirically revisable. The paper proposes Synthesis through phenomenological perspectives, particularly Heidegger’s notion of being-in-the-world and thrownness (Geworfenheit), to reveal how logic is encountered within the human condition. This approach allows for the synthesis of divergent views, aiming to provide a coherent and rational account of logic’s ontological status. From the primary texts, secondary scholarship, and credible tertiary sources, this study explores the ontological status of logic and establishes the influence of logic on epistemology, mathematics, and artificial intelligence. Drawing on the understanding of logic by realists as the method of organizing rational inquiry, conventionalists as a social construct, and my phenomenological resolution as a continued lived experience, the paper argues that various understandings in explaining the role of logic are crucial in structuring the course of rational inquiry across the disciplines.

The Dual-Edged Sword: Generative AI, Theological Bias, and the Global Challenge of Countering Violent Extremism

Muhammad Hassan Abbas — 2025-12-30

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and deepfakes, plays a complex dual role in both advancing and combating online extremism, raising critical ethical and theological questions. While extremist entities exploit AI for recruitment and ideological dissemination, counter-extremism initiatives are increasingly using AI to identify and disrupt radical content. This article explores this tension and discusses illustrative case studies to show how online radicalization can lead to real-world violence. It also addresses theological concerns about AI’s interpretation of sacred texts, which may reflect biases across various religious traditions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism. The paper proposes the formation of "Ethical AI Oversight Committees" comprising religious scholars, technologists, and policymakers to ensure a balanced approach that safeguards security, religious liberty, and cultural diversity. Integrating perspectives from AI ethics, religious studies, and policy, this study advocates for a proactive, ethically guided digital environment to counter the threat of violent extremism.

Between Text and Terrain: 7th-Century Meccan Residential Structures

Faruk Tuncer — 2025-12-30

The houses of 7th-century Mecca have not been a subject of significant scholarly research. In fact, not only the houses of Mecca but also studies examining Mecca as a city with an urban identity are notably absent. Mecca has primarily been studied for its sacred status as the site of the Kaaba, a revered place of worship. While analyzing Mecca in terms of its sacred spaces is not inherently a deficiency, the focus of this study is to set aside Mecca's sanctity and investigate whether its houses, as part of an urban identity, hold any architectural significance or value. As far as can be observed, during the era in which the Prophet Muhammad lived and the Qur'an was revealed, the general appearance of Meccan houses did not represent an advanced level for its time. Based on the limited information available about the appearance of these houses, it isn't easy to provide a definitive depiction. However, an informed conjecture can be made. Accordingly, if the Kaaba and other sacred spaces in Mecca are excluded, it could even be questioned whether the area qualifies as a city. In this article, we have set aside Mecca's sanctity and examined the city not in all its aspects but solely in the context of its houses.