Exploring Religious Leaders' Perspectives on Peacebuilding Across Different Faith Traditions: A Comparative Qualitative Study in Post-Conflict Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/ijis.v3i4.1132Keywords:
Peacebuilding, Religious Leaders, Interfaith Dialogue, Positive Peace, Reconciliation, Social Cohesion, AmbonAbstract
Religious diversity presents both opportunities for social cohesion and challenges for sustainable peace in multicultural societies. Religious leaders often play influential roles in shaping ethical values, promoting dialogue, and facilitating reconciliation following communal conflict. However, comparative qualitative evidence on how religious leaders from different faith traditions conceptualize peacebuilding within the same post-conflict setting remains limited. This study explores the perspectives of religious leaders from multiple faith traditions on peacebuilding in Ambon City, Indonesia, and identifies shared ethical principles contributing to peaceful coexistence. A qualitative multiple case study examined twelve participants representing Islam, Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, customary leadership, interfaith organizations, civil society, and academia, selected through purposive sampling based on their leadership roles in interfaith relations. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, supported by field observations and document analysis, and analyzed using thematic analysis, with trustworthiness strengthened through triangulation and member checking. The analysis identified six themes: peace as positive coexistence rather than mere absence of violence; shared ethical values such as compassion and forgiveness; compassion through practical cooperation; justice as a prerequisite for trust; reconciliation as a gradual dialogic process; and tolerance without doctrinal assimilation. Findings also highlight the local tradition of Pela Gandong, reinforcing kinship across communities. The study concludes that sustainable peace depends on ethical leadership, social justice, and culturally grounded reconciliation, offering insights for policymakers and civil society.
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