A.R.M. Imtiyaz, PhD.

 

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A.R.M. Imtiyaz, PhD.

Affiliated Scholar, South Asian Center,
University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Dr. A.R.M. Imtiyaz, a native of Sri Lanka, is an affiliated faculty member at the South Asia Center at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. He previously taught in the Political Science Department at Temple University from 2009 to 2016 and in the Department of History at Nanjing University from 2016 to 2020. His research focuses on Democratic values among Muslims, nationalism and ethnic conflict ( in Sri Lanka and China). Dr. Imtiyaz has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed journals, including World Affairs, Asian Ethnicity, Journal of Asian and African Studies, and South Asia. His articles examine the intersection of politics, identity, and conflict, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex realities faced by ethnic minorities.

 

The Rise of Religious Authoritarianism Among Sri Lankan Muslims: Implications for Pluralism and Democratic Stability in Sri Lanka

Muslims in Sri Lanka largely define their ethnic identity through Islam, which unites them across diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. While they have traditionally coexisted peacefully with non-Muslim communities, recent trends of religious authoritarianism within the Muslim population threaten this pluralism. These authoritarian tendencies include rigid interpretations of Islam, social regulation, and political mobilization through religious rhetoric. Although political parties have sometimes used exclusive language, the rise of religious authoritarianism stems from historical, socio-political, and global religious influences. This paper explores these factors and situates them within the context of Sri Lanka's democratic state, also contending with Buddhist nationalist pressures. Through qualitative research, including interviews with key stakeholders, this study analyzes how religious authoritarianism affects both intra-Muslim relations and broader intercommunal dynamics.

Key Words: Sri Lanka, Muslims, Islam, authoritarianism, violence, democracy