Religious Majoritarianism in Asia – Webinar Recording

On 28 June 2023, ConnexUs hosted an event as part of the Asia Religious & Ethnic Freedom (Asia REF) project, where we delved into the topic of religious majoritarianism in Asia. This event aims to foster an understanding of the challenges and implications associated with religious majoritarianism and its impact on religious freedom in diverse contexts. Through engaging presentations and an interactive discussion, experts and practitioners shared their knowledge and experiences.

The recording is available here:

Speakers:

Suvechchha Chapagain is a Senior Program Officer at Accountability Lab Nepal. She has 4 years of experience in promoting civic engagement, good governance, and democracy in Nepal. She frequently writes and organizes policy dialogues about various challenges facing Nepal’s democracy. She also co-hosts “Accountabili-tea Podcast” to discuss different facets of Nepal’s development with experts. She did her Master’s degree in International Relationship and Diplomacy from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. She is also a fellow of the Community Engagement Exchange Program (CEE), a program of the US State Department administered by IREX.

Andrew Khoo graduated in law (LLB) and history and philosophy of religion (AKC) from King’s College London. He has been called to the Bar of England and Wales and the High Court of Malaya in Malaysia. He has been in legal practice for 28 years. For the last 22 years he has also served as Chancellor (Legal Advisor) to the Anglican Bishop of West Malaysia. He has advised on religious freedom issues, including the rise in religious fundamentalism, violent extremism, threats of terrorism, abuse of freedom of expression and the use of hate speech. Since February 2023 he is a member of the worldwide Anglican Consultative Council and has been elected to its Standing Committee. He was a member of the Bar Council of Malaysia for 11 years (2009-2020) and was Co-Chair of its Human Rights Committee (2009-2018). He currently Co-Chairs the Constitutional Law Committee (2018 to present). He has acted for the Malaysian Bar, the Malaysia Human Rights Commission, the Diocese of Malaysia, the Council of Churches Malaysia and Bible Society of Malaysia in pro-bono watching briefs involving various aspects of constitutional law and human rights before the Malaysian courts, and for the Malaysian Bar in inquiries on enforced disappearances before the Malaysian Human Rights Commission.

Shaloom Naeem Gill is a Christian scholar and peace advocate from Pakistan. He holds a Master’s degree in political science and has actively worked towards fostering interfaith harmony and understanding. Shaloom‘s research and published work on religious and ethnic nationalism in postcolonial states have provided valuable insights into this topic. He is passionate to achieve more peaceful and tolerant society.

This event was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of Search for Common Ground and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.