SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This address was delivered as part of the Sunday Evensong address series at Jesus College Chapel, themed 'Re-examining Religious Ideas'. This series invites exploration of concepts and practices central to religious thought and identity, while also examining their commonalities across diverse traditions and faiths. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of shared ideas and practices, encouraging reflection on what they reveal about the human condition. In this context, Safet HadžiMuhamedović, an anthropologist of religion, conflict, and interfaith relations, examines the concept of ritual as a powerful social and spiritual phenomenon. Through academic insights, personal reflections, and examples from Bosnia and beyond, he explores how rituals can mediate human experience, heal fractured communities, and transform reality. His address contributes to the broader theme by highlighting ritual's universal significance, while emphasising its capacity for inclusivity, creativity, and interfaith connection in the face of division and conflict.