Abstract
This study explores how the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has fostered spiritual revitalization within the Hindu community in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. ISKCON’s teachings, rituals, and community activities provide vital support in preserving religious traditions, cultivating spiritual identity, and addressing challenges of social isolation in a predominantly Muslim society. By emphasizing religious education, communal practices, and pilgrimage, ISKCON contributes to the socialization of Hindu values and ways of life. This research employs qualitative methods, including interviews and participant observation, to analyze ISKCON’s role as a spiritual and cultural institution. The findings illuminate how ISKCON fosters religious commitment and resilience in minority communities, reflecting broader themes of religious community, socialization, and interfaith coexistence.
Presenters
Qudsia FirdousSenior Lecturer Islamic Studies/Religions, Islamic Studies/Religions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Riphah International University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Community and Socialization
KEYWORDS
ISKCON, HINDU SPIRITUALITY, RELIGIOUS SOCIALIZATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, INTERFAITH HARMONY,PAKISTAN, BAHWALPUR
