Studies in Inter Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme

15/04/2026

In his new RSIS commentary, Mohamed Nassir, Head of the SRP Programme, explores the vision behind the upcoming Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). By integrating classical Islamic theology with the social sciences through a unique partnership with SUSS, the SCIS aims to nurture future religious leaders who are "learned in text and literate in context" for a modern, pluralistic society.

Read his full insights here:🔗 https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/co26078/

21/03/2026

Eid Mubarak from all of us at the SRP Programme, RSIS! 🌙✨

As we celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, our hearts go out to the many communities around the world living through conflict, displacement, and uncertainty. At a time when peace feels fragile in so many corners of the globe, we are reminded of how precious and how hard-won harmony truly is.

Let us also keep in our prayers the less fortunate around the world — those who are hungry, homeless, or caught in the crossfire of wars beyond their control. May they find relief, safety, and hope.

We are blessed to live, work, and celebrate side by side, across faiths, cultures, and communities. Let us cherish and nurture the peace and harmony, and carry it forward in the way we treat one another every single day.

To all celebrating — may this Eid bring you joy, togetherness, and renewed hope. Eid Mubarak! 🤝🙌

23/02/2026

We are still buzzing from the insights shared at the 7th edition of our Distinguished Lecture & Symposium ! A huge thank you to our speakers, participants and organising team for making this DLS 2026 event a memorable one.

Browse through the album to see the highlights of the day. 📸

23/02/2026

16/02/2026

Highly recommend this new report by our very own SRP Programme's Professor of Interreligious Studies, Prof Paul Hedges! 📖

​He provides a fascinating look at the "anatomy" of polarisation, identifying the six key signs that dialogue is breaking down. It’s a timely reminder of the importance of education and discourse analysis in protecting our social fabric.

Available now on the RSIS website: https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/srp/what-is-polarisation-a-policy-guide/

As polarisation increasingly shapes public discourse, understanding how it emerges has become a pressing challenge.

Professor of Interreligious Studies, Paul Hedges, introduces a six-part framework for identifying polarisation early, explaining how polarised discourse takes shape across contemporary debates and what this means for policy, governance, and social cohesion.

Read the Policy Report “What is Polarisation? A Policy Guide” here: https://rsis.edu.sg/PR160226

For a deeper dive into the topic, read the Working Paper “Defining Polarisation: An Analysis and Typology” here: https://rsis.edu.sg/WP349

16/02/2026

The SRP Programme wishes everyone at RSIS a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!

​May the Year of the Horse bring everyone boundless energy, success and continued harmony in our plural society. Enjoy the festivities and the time spent with family and friends!

🐎🧧Galloping into the new year with warm wishes!

May the Year of the Horse bring you strength, good health, and the drive to chase after all your goals.

12/02/2026

A huge thank you to our Distinguished Lecturer and Keynote Speakers for their enlightening insights and expertise. We also want to extend our sincerest appreciation to all the participants who took the time from their busy schedules to join us for the 7th SRP Distinguished Lecture and Symposium 2026.

12/02/2026

A busy and inspiring day of SRP side events on 11 Feb 2026!

First, our DLS 2026 speaker, Prof. Perry Schmidt-Leukel, led a seminar on "Santideva & Paul: Reciprocal Illumination" for academics and students from the Buddhist Studies Group, NUS, who the event was co-hosted with.

In the evening, the momentum continued with another of our esteemed DLS speakers, Dr. Suphatmet Yunyasit. She joined "Dialogues that Heal: Building Understanding Across Divides," a workshop jointly organised with Hash.peace. Drawing on decades of peacebuilding experience in Thailand, Dr. Yunyasit shared profound insights into the real-world impact of dialogue.

12/02/2026

Kicking off today's DLS 2026 with a powerful opening presentation from Prof. Kumar Ramakrishna, Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), reminded us:

"In facing the challenges of pluralism, we do not turn away from our traditions. Rather, we return to them with openness, critical reflection, and a willingness to listen, so that the words that have shaped communities for centuries may continue to be a force for understanding, harmony and collective resilience".

- Prof Kumar Ramakrishna, Dean of S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS)

10/02/2026

Kicking off the week of our upcoming Distinguished Lecture and Symposium, Prof. Perry Schmidt-Leukel spoke on his fractal interpretation of religious diversity at a lecture jointly organised by Trinity Theological College and the Studies in Inter Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme. The lecture was followed by a response by Dr Tan Loe Joo, a Lecturer in Systematic and Historical Theology at Trinity Theological College.

Not only is Prof. Perry Schmidt-Leukel's Fractal Structure of Religious Diversity theory meaningful in providing a different vision of religious diversity, but it also presents diversity as a sign towards wholeness where others may learn from differences.

With this glimpse of what's to come in our Distinguished Lecture and Symposium, we look forward to the events and conversations we will have this week.

Thank you Trinity Theological College for co-organising this lecture and shaping such thoughtful discussion!

09/02/2026

Join us in this event jointly organised by the Buddhist Studies Group, NUS and the Studies in Inter Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme.

We are pleased to host Professor Perry Schmidt-Leukel (University of Münster) for an upcoming seminar titled “Śāntideva and Paul: Reciprocal Illuminations.” Drawing on his landmark work "Buddha Mind–Christ Mind" and his essay “Śāntideva and Paul—An Unexpected Encounter,” Professor Schmidt-Leukel explores Buddhist–Christian dialogue through a creative encounter between the apostle Paul and the Mahāyāna master Śāntideva (7th–8th century).

The seminar examines key questions of ultimate reality, the human predicament, liberation, and shared humanity, demonstrating how interreligious learning can proceed by seeing central teachings of Buddhism and Christianity in each other’s light. The talk will take place on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Political Science Meeting Room (AS1-04-01), and will be chaired by Dr. Sherice Ngaserin Ng Jing Ya. The event is jointly organized by the NUS Buddhist Studies Group and the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies Programme at RSIS, NTU.