Abstract:
This paper proposes that religion can play an important role in the public sphere
by addressing the refugee Issue. Minorities in Asia especially religious minorities have
been the target of rising right wing nationalism. This paper will bring examples from
Srilanka, Myanmar and India. The thirty year war in Srilanka brought misery in the
lives of the Tamil people. The demonization of the minority did not only happen within
the nation but with the help of powerful nations who for their empire building oppressed
the minorities at the international level through international bodies through policies.
The rising right wing nationalism in India has demonized the religious minorities
especially the Muslims and Christians. The recent tribal conflict in Manipur state shows
the danger of religious nationalism. Religious nationalism in Asia has been causing
harm and violence to the minorities leaving people as refugees and internally displaced.
This paper proposes dialogical and ethical nationalism drawing from world Christianity
and Tamil hospitality. The proposed dialogical and ethical nationalism will be a global
community that places dialogue, ethics and hospitality at the heart of any nation.
Dialogism of Russian scholar Mikhail Bakhtin will be discussed as an alternative to the
existing nationalisms. Quoting the example from Mizoram in India is relevant: Mizoram
not only welcomed refugees from Myanmar against the popular nationalism, the state
also played a very important role in addressing the needs of Manipur people when they
fled in thousands during the ethnic violence. World Christianity being dialogic accepts
differences and has the capacity to hold different communities together. Resources from
world Christianity can be helpful to address the refugee crises.
