National identity is never built on politics alone, instead drawing strength from culture, memory, and symbols that resonate in everyday life. Religion, in particular, often serves as a reservoir of meaning, linking individuals to their community and their nation at large. Nowhere is this more visible than in Southeast Asia, where Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and indigenous traditions coexist within close proximity. This diversity makes the region one of the world's most vivid laboratories for examining how religion can unify societies under a shared identity, but also how it can sharpen divisions when national narratives collide.
Religion and National Identity
The Pew Research Center has conducted extensive studies on the role of religion in people’s lives and on religious diversity across countries. A 2023 survey found that many Southeast Asian nations rank among the highest globally in the percentage of respondents who consider religion very important in
...
Loading comments...