scholarly journals Religion, Conflict and Identity: Islam, Pakistani identity and the conflict in Swat

2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 416-427
Author(s):  
Syed Wasif Azim ◽  
Yaseen Ullah ◽  
Fazal Wahab
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Collective Identities ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Theoretical Position ◽  
Ethnographic Observation ◽  
The One ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Better Than

Other than an identity in itself, religion plays a central role in other forms of collective identities, like ethnic and national. Moreover, as the constructivist theoretical position argues that identities are fluid and can be impacted by different factors, we propose that conflict and violence have repercussions for religion and the associated identities. Extending the constructivist theoretical position, we contend that conflicts do not ‘soften’ or ‘harden’ identities, rather its impacts are complex, multiple and significant. In the backdrop of recent conflict and violence in Pukhtun region of Swat, Islam is substantial due to its centrality to Pakistani national identity (represented and promoted by the Pakistani state) and Pukhtun ethnic identity (represented by the Pukhtuns in Swat) and militant discourse in the region. This study argues that, amidst the conflict in Swat, three forms and positions of Islam have emerged, including the Islam adopted by Pukhtuns as marker of their identity, Islam used by Pakistan for framing a national identity and the one promoted, rather imposed, by the militants. Pukhtuns in Swat try to detach and distance their ‘form’ of Islam (having both symbolic and practical aspects) from that of the Pakistani state and the militants. Moreover, Pukhtun’s form of Islam is considered closer to that of the state with a sharp distance from that of the militants. Pakistani state, religious clergy and militants are blamed and criticized for using Islam for their interests. Militant’s Islam is termed ‘violent’ and only based on their form of justice and is thus rejected. Pakistani state’s Islam is considered least practiced and more symbolic and thus disowned. Islam adopted and practiced by Pukhtuns, majority, in Swat is considered as peaceful and in practice and thus assumed to be better than the other contesting forms of Islam. Thus, the conflict in Swat, involving militants and Pakistani state, has complicated the divisive role of Islam in relation to its unifying role as a component and marker of Pakistani national identity. This has repercussions for Pakistani national identity. The study is based on 45 open-ended in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions in diverse parts of Swat, coupled with ethnographic observation.

scholarly journals Landlords’ and Compound Managers’ Role in Improving and Sustaining Shared Latrines in Three Dhaka City Slums

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2073
Author(s):  
Farzana Yeasmin ◽  
Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Stephen P Luby ◽  
Jyoti Bhushan Das ◽  
Farzana Begum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Role ◽  
Organizational Changes ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Depth Interviews

(1) Background: Residents of Dhaka slums frequently lack clean and functional shared latrines. We explored the role of landlords and compound managers in promoting latrine cleanliness in the intervention arm of a randomized trial; (2) Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews with community health promoters, landlords, and compound managers to better understand the decision-making process, barriers to contributing to sanitation, and cleanliness of shared latrines. (3) Results: Landlords’ and compound managers’ engagement in promoting clean and functional latrines depended, in part, on their own proximity to the properties they own and manage. The compound managers played a leadership role through engagement with health promoters, oversight of implementation of a cleaning schedule, and support for installation and maintenance of sanitation hardware, resulting in improved sanitation practices; (4) Conclusions: Interventions in slums in Bangladesh should consider engaging landlords and compound managers in efforts to bring about structural and organizational changes to support the adoption of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices.

The making and transforming of a transnational in dialog: Confronting dichotomous thinking in knowledge production, identity formation, and pedagogy

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phan Le Ha ◽  
Azmi Mohamad
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Academic Mobility ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
East West

This article, through autoethnographic narrative and reflection, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, explores how the transnational academic mobility experiences of a Muslim scholar of Islam based in Brunei may influence his identity, research, and teaching. It pinpoints how transnational academic mobilities could (re)produce, sustain and endorse East/West, local/global, and religious/secular dichotomies and binary thinking. Likewise, it shows that transnational academic mobilities often generate ambiguous and divided spaces concerning knowledge production, pedagogy, and identity formation. The article also maintains that contextualizing and engaging (with) the specificity and particularity of place and academic discipline are pivotal in studying transnational academic mobilities. Methodologically, it highlights the role of autoethnographic reflection in bringing out complex experiences and accounts that academics undergo but rarely acknowledge and conceptualize in scholarly work. Such accounts and experiences serve as reminders of the importance of humility, trust, ethics, and reflexivity in academia. Transnational academic mobilities, after all, must not be privileged.

scholarly journals The emotional journey of motherhood in migration. The case of Southern European mothers in Norway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Herrero-Arias ◽  
Ragnhild Hollekim ◽  
Haldis Haukanes ◽  
Åse Vagli
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Emotion Work ◽  
Sociological Perspective ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Feeling Rules

Abstract Based on focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with Greek, Italian, and Spanish mothers living in Norway, this article contributes to an emerging body of literature on the role of emotions in migration by exploring migrant motherhood as an emotional journey. Drawing on the work of Arlie Hochschild on emotions and her theoretical concepts of framing rules, feeling rules, and emotion work, the article explores how migrant mothers reflect on their emotions when raising their children in the context of migration. Migrant mothers’ accounts illustrate the ambivalent and contradictory emotional experiences they have when they manage rules about how they should make sense of, and feel about their mothering in both host and origin countries. Emotions of guilt, blame, remorse, pride, satisfaction, confidence, and happiness shaped mothers’ experiences of motherhood and social interactions across countries. Through emotion work, migrant mothers managed interdependent emotions and related to different feeling rules establishing and maintaining relationships across places, and negotiating, in this way, their belonging to multiple contexts. Using an emotions-based sociological perspective, we look at motherhood as a field for studying the functions of emotions and their interactions in the context of migration.

scholarly journals REPRESENTASI IDENTITAS MUSLIMAH DALAM IKLAN WARDAH DI TELEVISI

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-63
Author(s):  
Bektiis Istiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Muslim Women ◽  
Islamic Culture ◽  
Reading Group ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Muslim Students ◽  
Women's Identity ◽  
Depth Interviews

The role of women in Wardah adverstisments on television is described as independent through activities such as work and study. Through the hijab, make-up, and women's roles Wardah tries to present the identity of contemporary Muslim women, not rigid and remain in accordance with the Shari'a. This study uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques using focus group discussions (FGD) and in-depth interviews. To analyze the data using the reception analysis. The results of the research indicate that each informant is different in receiving and interpreting the message. This difference of meaning is the result of different socio-cultural backgrounds. The meaning of informants is grouped into three categories of meaning according to Hall namely, dominant reading, negiotiated reading, and oppositional reading. There were two informants belonging to the dominant reading group in which the informant agreed in general about the popular Islamic culture. In the negotiated reading group there were four informants. In general, informants received a popular Islamic culture that was featured on Wardah's advertisements, however, the informants adapted to their preferences. In the oppositional reading position there is only one informant who meets the criteria because the informant rejects the message of popular Islamic culture because of his incompatibility on understanding the religious rules held tightly by the informant. Muslim students of FISIP Unsoed generally receive a message of representation of Muslim women's identity seen from aspects of role, dress, and makeup based on socio-cultural background.

scholarly journals Experiences of Girls and Mentors With an Urban Kenyan Afterschool Support Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benta A Abuya ◽  
Nelson Muhia ◽  
Peter Mokaya
Keyword(s):  
Support Program ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Mentor Support ◽  
Qualitative Component ◽  
Informal Urban Settlements ◽  
Depth Interviews

This article explores the experiences of female mentees and their mentors in an afterschool support program in two informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. We sought the perspectives of mentees and mentors to identify what has changed concerning the education and social lives of the girls because of this education intervention. Data come from a qualitative component of the midterm survey collected in May 2014 using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The results show improvements in the English and math courses in which support with homework was given; girls were motivated to stay in school and had a higher aspiration for school. However, challenges remained, as some parents did not provide adequate support to their daughters. Overall, the program highlights the role of other significant players and reinforces the out-of-school mentor support for girls’ success in school.

Identity in an Autocratic State: Or What Belarusians Talk about When They Talk about National Identity

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryia Rohava
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Political System ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Everyday Language ◽  
Identity Discourses ◽  
Identity Markers

How does the role of ordinary citizens change in the interpretation and production of national identity under an authoritarian political system? Exploring the discursive role of authoritarian political stability on perceptions of national identity, this study examines how categories of “national” are appropriated and internalized in identity talks among Belarusians. It offers a bottom–up perspective on national identification, drawing on analysis of six focus group discussions with Belarusian citizens. The main objective was to observe everyday language and how people construct symbolic significance for certain practices as “national” and what are the meanings invested in replicating and re-enacting different identity markers, given the contingencies of everyday life in an authoritarian political context. I evaluate cross-group and intergroup discursive variations in responses and repertoires of volunteer participants in terms of agreement and disagreement. Public conformity with regime ideational practices does not appear to equate with political allegiance to the current regime. Even when identity repertoires echo the identity discourses of official state ideology, people attach their own meanings and interpretations to these identity markers. However, I find that the authoritarian context affects how identity repertoires are enacted and talked about. Integrating performative aspects of identity talks into the analysis, I note how participants consciously reflect on the sensitivity of political topics, and prioritize politically neutral narratives.

scholarly journals Role of media and the media hypes in the aftermath of mass casualty incidents a qualitative thematic content analysis

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehjabeen Musharraf ◽  
Ambreen Aslam ◽  
Lubna Baig
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Thematic Content Analysis ◽  
Thematic Content ◽  
The Media ◽  
Depth Interviews

Objectives: To explore the role of media during mass casualty events and its impact on the people. Method: The qualitative thematic content analysis was conducted at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, from 2028 to 2020 and comprised semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving participants from the health sector and policymakers at the provincial level. Besides, frontline workers such as the ambulance drivers and the first-aid-givers were also included. Data was subjected to conventional content analysis to generate themes. Results: There were 5 in-depth interviews and 4 focus group discussions in the study. Qualitative analysis revealed that the media has a great deal to do in times of a disaster. The media is the strongest weapon and largely impacts people's mind and behaviour, but it has been playing with their emotions and creating unrest among them. Conclusion: There is a need for the policymakers to set guidelines and define the role of the media in times of a disaster. Key Words: Mass casualty, Media, Catastrophe.

scholarly journals Dakwah Bil Hal: Empowering Muslim Economy in Garut

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-144
Author(s):  
Ace Toyib Bahtiar ◽  
Bahri Ghazali ◽  
Yunan Yusuf Nasution ◽  
Shonhaji Shonhaji ◽  
Fitri Yanti
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
The World ◽  
Depth Interviews

The problems that occur to Muslims in the world including Indonesia are somewhat complex. Muslims are still in a circle of poverty. At the same time there is a gap between the lives of elite, Muslim leaders and the fate of most Muslims. This research was conducted to find out how important the role of dakwah bil hal (preaching by action) compared to oral preaching by preachers, preachers in Indonesia. This study uses descriptive qualitative methods that collect data by observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). From the research conducted, it was found that dakwah bil hal must be done in a balanced manner and in tandem with oral preaching, does not need to be dichotomized between the two. Both methods of da'wah must go hand in hand. Dakwah bil hal the case especially in the economic field increases the ability and independence of Muslims. Henceforth will increase the human resources of Muslims, away from backwardness. This has relevance to the theory of uses and gratification theory proposed by Elihu Katz, Jay G. Blumler and Michael Gurevitch. More serious and systematic efforts are needed by Muslim leaders, Muslim organizations in carrying out preaching activities. So that there is no gap between the lives of Muslim leaders, administrators of Islamic organizations and Muslims generallyPersoalan yang terjadi pada kaum muslim di dunia termasuk Indonesia terbilang komplek. Kaum muslim masih berada di dalam lingkaran kemiskinan. Pada saat yang sama ada jarak antara kehidupan elit, tokoh muslim dengan nasib sebagian besar kaum muslim. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui seberapa penting peran dakwah bil hal dibandingkan dengan dakwah bil lisan oleh para dai, pelaku dakwah di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif yang mengumpulkan data dengan observasi, wawancara mendalam dan focus group discussion (FGD). Dari penelitian yang dilakukan, ditemukan bahwa dakwah bil hal harus dilakukan secara seimbang dan beriringan dengan dakwah bil lisan, tidak perlu didikotomikan antara keduanya. Kedua metode dakwah tersebut harus seiring sejalan. Dakwah bil hal khususnya di bidang ekonomi meningkatkan kemampuan dan kemandirian kaum muslim. Untuk selanjutnya akan meningkatkan sumber daya manusia kaum muslim, menjauh dari ketertinggalan. Hal ini memiliki relevansi dengan teori penggunaan dan kepuasan (uses and gratification theory) yang dikemukakan oleh Elihu Katz, Jay G. Blumler dan Michael Gurevitch. Diperlukan upaya lebih serius dan sistematis yang dilakukan oleh tokoh muslim, organisasi muslim di dalam melakukan kegiatan dakwah bil hal. Sehingga tidak ada jurang (gap) antara kehidupan tokoh muslim, pengurus organisasi Islam dengan kaum muslim secara umum.

Nomadic Migration and Rural Violence in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-95
Author(s):  
Nsemba Edward Lenshie ◽  
Patience Kondu Jacob
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Migration Pattern ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Security Governance ◽  
North East ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

The relationship between Fulani herdsmen and farmers has in recent years become hot-tempered motivated by competitive control of land resources, particularly in central and north-east Nigeria. In Taraba State, the ongoing nomadic migration pattern from the Sahel in quest of pastures has led to violent confrontation between Fulani herdsmen and farming indigenous natives. Using a descriptive approach consisting of documented evidence, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, the analysis revealed that conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and indigenous native farmers have culminated in population displacement and destruction of life and property in numerous rural enclaves in Taraba State. Despite the consequences of the conflicts, the Taraba State government was unable to act proactively because of the centralization of command over Nigerian security agencies. Accordingly, the study suggests decentralization of security agencies in Nigeria, especially the police, as the way forward for effective security governance in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Civil Religion or Nationalism? The National Day Celebrations in Norway

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Pål Ketil Botvar
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
General Population ◽  
Civil Religion ◽  
Religious Nationalism ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Role Of Religion ◽  
Better Than ◽  
The Way

The Norwegian National Day (17 May, also referred to as Constitution Day) stands out as one of the most popular National Day celebrations in Europe. According to surveys, around seven out of every 10 Norwegians take part in a public celebration during this day. This means that the National Day potentially has an impact on the way people reflect upon national identity and its relationship to the Lutheran heritage. In this paper, I will focus on the role religion plays in the Norwegian National Day rituals. Researchers have described these rituals as both containing a significant religious element and being rather secularized. In this article, I discuss the extent to which the theoretical concepts civil religion and religious nationalism can help us understand the role of religion, or the absence of religion, in these rituals. Based on surveys of the general population, I analyze both indicators of civil religion and religious nationalism. The two phenomena are compared by looking at their relation to such items as patriotism, chauvinism, and xenophobia. The results show that civil religion explains participation in the National Day rituals better than religious nationalism.

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