German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

Religion, Conflict, and Peace

Religion is a key facet of society and affects politics and socio-economic development in a multitude of ways. In the name of religions, terrorist attacks are committed, armed conflicts are fought, and xenophobia is justified. At the same time, religion can also be a vital contributor to peace. Our research explores the interplay between religion and security.

Contact

Current Research

Countries and Regions

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau

Director of the GIGA Institute for African Affairs / Editor GIGA Focus Africa

T. +49 40 42825-517 [email protected]

Resources conflicts
Religion and violent conflict
Civil–military relations
Political institutions

Sub-Saharan Africa
Mali
Niger
Chad
Botswana

Prof. Dr. Renate Hartwig

Associate

Family economics, social norms and marriage
Fertility and religion
Health and religion
Political representation, public policies and gender

Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Malawi
Indonesia

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

T. +49 40 42825-584 [email protected]

Regional Explanations for Authoritarianism
Statethood and Political Domination in the Middle East (with a focus on Jordan and Syria)
The War in Syria
Regional Politics and the Relationship between Arabism and Islamism

Jordan
Syria
Palestine/Israel
Turkey (Near East Politics)

Dr. Jens Heibach

Research Fellow

T. +49 40 42825-715 [email protected]

Saudi Foreign Policy towards Sub-Saharan Africa
Political Opposition in Authoritarian Regimes
Political Islam
International Relations of the Persian Gulf

Yemen
Saudi Arabia
Sub-Saharan Africa

Dr. Hakkı Taş

Research Fellow

T. +49 40 42825-537 [email protected]

Democratization
Civil-Military Relations
Political Islam
Identity Politics in the Middle East
Power and Resistance

Turkey
Egypt

Theodora Benesch

Research Fellow

[email protected]

Julia Köbrich

Doctoral Researcher

T. +49 40 42825-620 [email protected]

Religion
Social Identities and Social Psychology
Moral Foundations Theory
Reconciliation
Post-Conflict Societies

Africa

Spotlight on... | 25/04/2022

"Spotlight on..." Julia Köbrich and Lisa Hoffmann on Field Work

In the framework for her dissertation project on religion and peace Julia Köbrich recently went to Togo and Sierra Leone to conduct field research together with Lisa Hoffmann, Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for African Affairs and DP Alumna. Read more about their field research experiences.

Award | 29/02/2016

GIGA Researchers Win Journal of Peace Research Prize

GIGA scholars Dr. André Bank and Dr. Alexander de Juan have been awarded the Nils Petter Gleditsch JPR Article of the Year Award for their findings on the Syria conflict.

Research | 21/02/2024

Latest Scientific Findings: GIGA Researchers Present their Work in Barcelona

This month, GIGA researchers will present their research findings on the topics of security, conflict, and peace processes at a workshop organised together with the Institute for International Studies in Barcelona (IBEI).

Research Project | 01/04/2023 - 31/03/2029

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity, Phase II

The Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM) based in Tunis is the first and only Institute for Advanced Studies in North Africa. MECAM’s ambition is to become an intellectual hub that contributes to the emergence of cutting-edge, internationally relevant and visible research in the humanities and social sciences on, from and in the Maghreb and in particular with scholars from the Maghreb. The GIGA coordinates MECAM's publications as well as outreach and transfer activities.
BMBF, 2023-2029

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Accountability and Participation"

Research Project | 01/11/2020 - 31/07/2024

Religion for Peace: Identifying Conditions and Mechanisms of Interfaith Peace

Religion has become an increasingly contentious phenomenon, with religious violence and discrimination on the rise worldwide. However, there are also many societies that are examples of peaceful interreligious coexistence. We contribute to the rigorous empirical study of the link between religion and interfaith peace, especially regarding elements of positive peace like interreligious cooperation.
DFG, 2020-2024

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau

Dr. Lisa Hoffmann

Julia Köbrich

Research Project | 01/04/2020 - 31/03/2023

Merian Center for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb (MECAM): Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity, Phase I

The "Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb" (MECAM), founded in 2020, is a platform for regional and international scientific exchange in Tunisia based on the central theme "Imagining Futures - Dealing with Disparity". The centre is located at the renowned Université de Tunis in the Tunisian capital. Its research work focuses on the effects of multidimensional disparity on models, visions and ideas about political, social, economic, and cultural futures.
BMBF, 2020-2023

Dr. André Bank

Prof. Dr. Thomas Richter

Dr. Alyssa Miller

GIGA Focus Africa | 1/2025

Ten Things to Watch in Africa in 2025

Despite progress in some countries and issue areas, increasing pressure on governments is set to continue in 2025. Democratic prospects are mixed; security challenges persist. Regional integration stands at a crossroads as German and EU Africa policy navigates competition with China and others.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau

Dr. Julia Grauvogel

Dr. Niklas Krösche

Contribution | 10/2024

Putting Interreligious Peace Together: Insights from Two Years of Research

The project „Religion for Peace: Identifying Conditions and Mechanisms of Interfaith Peace“ explored ways to build and maintain peace between different religious groups. This illustrated summary presents key findings and highlights what we learned about interreligious peace, challenges involved, and ideas about what can be done to put interreligious peace together.

Theodora Benesch

Research Fellow

Julia Köbrich

Doctoral Researcher

Chapter in Edited Volume | 09/2024

Erfolgsbedingungen interreligiösen Friedens

The success of interreligious peace hinges on the concept of peace. By adopting an expanded concept of peace, we can apply it to interreligious relations. Our approach defines four elements of interreligious peace from the dimensions of negative and positive peace, as well as behavior and attitude.

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau

Dr. Lisa Hoffmann

Julia Köbrich

Dr. Eric Stollenwerk

Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding | 09/2024

Correlates of Peace: Religious Determinants of Interreligious Peace

While the study of interreligious conflict is a growing field of research, interreligious peace lacks conceptualisation and empirical investigation. This article proposes a concept of interreligious peace that distinguishes between positive and negative elements as well as attitudinal and behavioural aspects.

Dr. Lisa Hoffmann

Julia Köbrich

Dr. Eric Stollenwerk

Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau

GIGA Focus Middle East | 3/2024

Purification of the Higher Education System and Jihad of Knowledge in Iran

“Purification” of the higher education and “jihad of knowledge” have assisted the Iranian government in advancing its military, cyber-based, and nuclear capabilities. This paper reviews these strategies and evaluates their outcomes.

Dr. Sara Bazoobandi

Associate

GIGA Forum | 19/01/2022

With the Help of God(s)? Religious Actors and Sustainable Development in Africa

Religious actors can both promote and undermine sustainable development. Many stakeholders and scholars recognise the relevant role of religious actors and place great hope in their potential. Alongside GIGA scholars, members of the “Africa Multiple” Cluster of Excellence from Universität Bayreuth discussed this topic in depth. Video of event now online!

GIGA Talk | 17/05/2021

Can Freedom of Religion and Belief Promote Sustainable Development? Inclusive Education Systems in Focus

Education, sustainable development, and freedom of religion or belief are closely interrelated, yet this has been little studied to date. At this GIGA Talk, organised in cooperation with the BMZ, we exchange ideas between politics and science on the global status of freedom of religion.

GIGA NDR Series "Crossing Borders" | 29/05/2019

In God's Name: Religion and Violence in Africa

Religion – Christianity, Islam, or mixed forms with a range of traditional beliefs – is a central element of cultural life in many African countries. The extent to which religion is the trigger for violent conflicts in African countries and what other factors play a role will be discussed by moderator Julia-Niharika Sen, Prof. Dr. Matthias Basedau, Caroline Hoffmann, and Jens Borchers.

GIGA Forum | 29/03/2023

Iraq 20 Years after the US Invasion: Domestic Politics and the Role of Civil Society

This GIGA Forum sheds light on the often-overlooked domestic transitions occurring since the invasion in 2003, and the role of Iraqi civil society in shaping them. Video now online!

GIGA Forum | 19/01/2022

With the Help of God(s)? Religious Actors and Sustainable Development in Africa

GIGA Talk | 17/05/2021

Can Freedom of Religion and Belief Promote Sustainable Development? Inclusive Education Systems in Focus

GIGA NDR Series "Crossing Borders" | 29/05/2019

In God's Name: Religion and Violence in Africa

GIGA Forum | 19/01/2022

With the Help of God(s)? Religious Actors and Sustainable Development in Africa

GIGA Talk | 17/05/2021

Can Freedom of Religion and Belief Promote Sustainable Development? Inclusive Education Systems in Focus

GIGA NDR Series "Crossing Borders" | 29/05/2019

In God's Name: Religion and Violence in Africa

Tagesspiegel | Interview | 09/01/2025

Einen Monat nach Assads Sturz: Was machen die Islamisten aus Syrien?

Wie ist es um das einstige Bürgerkriegsland Syrien einen Monat nach dem Sturz des Diktators Assad bestellt? Dr. André Bank mit Einschätzungen zum bisherigen, von der islamistischen HTS dominierten Übergangsprozess und den politischen und wirtschaftlichen Perspektiven für das Land.

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

Deutschlandfunk | Interview | 03/01/2025

Baerbock-Besuch in Damaskus: Syrien-Politik der EU

Außenministerin Baerbock ist mit ihrem französischen Amtskollegen Barrot überraschend nach Damaskus gereist. Vor diesem Hintergrund analysiert GIGA-Experte Dr. André Bank die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen einer neuen Syrien-Politik der EU.

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

ARD Tagesthemen | Quote | 27/12/2024

Syrien: Ungewissheit über Kurs der Rebellen

Seit dem Sturz des Regimes von Diktator Assad herrscht in Syrien Ungewissheit über den Kurs der siegreichen Rebellen. Dr. André Bank mit Einschätzungen zur sogenannten Syrischen Nationalarmee und den Interessen der Türkei

Dr. André Bank

Senior Research Fellow

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | 05/09/2024

Interreligious relations in Togo and Sierra Leone: Construals of the relationship status

Organiser: German Institute for Global and Area Studies Julia Köbrich (Speaker)

Declining interreligious peace and rising religiously motivated violence make it important to find ways to foster interreligious peace. Theoretical discussions suggest that construals of intergroup relations, that are people’s understanding of the status of intergroup relations, can sustain both violence and peace. Hence, research on peacebuilding should study construals of intergroup relations.

Julia Köbrich

Doctoral Researcher

Workshop | 22/02/2024 - 23/02/2024

Building Interreligious Peace: Determinants of Preferences for Interreligious Contact

IBEI-GIGA Workshop Security, Conflict and Peace, IBEI, Barcelona Julia Köbrich (Speaker)

Presentation of collaborative work with Tobias Stark, Borja Martinović, and Seyram Adiakpo engaging with the question what shapes individual preferences for intergroup contact focusing on changeable factors that can be targeted by interventions.

Julia Köbrich

Doctoral Researcher

Conference | 25/09/2023 - 26/09/2023

Workshop Lomé: Religion for Peace? Identifying Conditions and Mechanisms of Interfaith Peace

Workshop Lomé: Religion for Peace? Identifying Conditions and Mechanisms of Interfaith Peace, Hotel Onomo, Lomé Dr. Lisa Hoffmann (Panelist, Organiser), Julia Köbrich (Panelist, Organiser)

This workshop discussed facets of interreligious relations, focusing on the role religion can play for peace. It aimed to identify the conditions and mechanisms that facilitate interfaith peace and looked at the actors and approaches involved in strengthening peaceful relationships across religious communities.