Inter-religious conflicts: a review of Zimbabwe’s religious landscape, post-independence

Abstract

The study sought to explore inter-religious conflicts in post-independent Zimbabwe and respective resolution measures. This followed a clear dominance of the religious terrain by one religion and the observance of one religious‟ rites in public forums in a secular state. The qualitative study following a historical exploratory design was influenced by Social Dominance Theory. 32 religious participants were sampled purposively from the four main religious fronts; African Traditional Religion (ATR), Pentecostal Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Data were collected using structured interviews, and analysis of archival material. The paper argues that the peace and co-existence of the different religions is a result of institutional „diplomatic quite policy‟ through settlement planning, education curricula, ridicule and demonization, suppression of activities and deprivation of public space. It found that Christianity suppresses other religions as a way of preventing potential religious conflicts.

Keywords: Conflict resolution, Religion, Conflict prevention, Circumstantial coercion