Inter-religious conference examines national situations of religious freedom and rights of religious minorities in Asia

Jakarta, Indonesia: The International Inter-religious Conference on Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities, held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 16 to 20 September 2025, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the challenges faced by religious minorities across Asia. The state of religious freedom and rights of religious minorities in different national contexts, and practical pathways to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and social harmony were presented at the conference by representatives of different religions.

India
Religious leaders from India underscored the growing challenges to religious freedom, stressing that minority rights must remain central to justice and democracy.

Bishop Dr Joshua Mar Ignathios of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church highlighted the escalating persecution of Christians in India, describing it as both violent and institutionalised. He detailed troubling trends including physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, destruction of churches, social exclusion, and forced reconversions. He warned that anti-conversion laws enacted in ten states have been framed so broadly that they criminalise basic religious practice, making the situation a serious threat not only to India but also to the global principles of religious freedom and democracy.

An eminent Islamic cleric and grand priest (Moulavi) of the Palayam Juma Masjid in Kozhikode, Kerala, Prof. Dr P. K. Hussain Madavoor noted that a society’s true measure of justice lies in how it treats its most vulnerable, urging that dialogue and compassion take precedence over dogma. He emphasised that religion must never be politicised, as faith loses its essence when turned into a weapon.

Bangladesh
Rev. John Karmakar, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Sangha (BBCS), highlighted the tradition of peaceful coexistence in the country for long time, and the respect Christian organisations received for their service in education, healthcare, relief, and social work. However, he pointed to the communal disharmony and persecution that erupted in recent years and the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities such as social discrimination, violence triggered by extremist groups, political marginalisation, and the vulnerability of converts and Christian women and girls.

Venerable Bhikkhu Sunandapriya, Chairman of the Buddhist Aid Foundation Bangladesh, and Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Jatia Hindu Mohajote, drew attention to the political turmoil following the events of August 2024, warning that minority communities have been targeted in times of instability. They shared information on vulnerable situations faced by the country’s religious minorities – adherents of Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian religions – targeted by extremist groups in the name of the majority Islamic religion.

Pakistan
Panelists speaking on the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan expressed deep concern over escalating threats to religious freedom, highlighting the systematic misuse of blasphemy laws, the abduction and forced marriages of young girls from minority religions, widespread social discrimination, and organised violence against minority communities Bishop Leo Rodrick Paul, Bishop of the Multan Diocese of the Church of Pakistan, described the continued persecution of Christians, noting rising religious intolerance and hatred leading to grave human rights violations. He observed that blasphemy allegations are increasingly misused by religious-political groups to advance political agendas, silence progressive voices, and target the land and property of minorities. Citing several instances of organised attacks against Christians in Pakistan, he voiced concern over the growing incidence of forced conversions and the challenges facing judicial independence.

Presenting the situation of the Hindu minority community in Pakistan, Aroon Kumar, a young Hindu lawyer and Coordinator of the Punjab provincial chapter of the Pakistan Hindu Council, highlighted persistent issues including the forced conversion of minor Hindu girls to Islam, discrimination in education and employment, vandalism of temples and religious sites, land seizures, and the absence of personal laws to safeguard Hindu families.

Aroon Kumar further noted that an estimated 5,000 Hindu families are compelled each year to migrate from Pakistan to other countries due to insecurity and persecution. He underscored the urgent needs of Pakistan’s religious minorities, including the strict enforcement of laws against forced conversions, curriculum reform to promote inclusive education, the implementation of quotas and representation policies, and stronger protection of places of worship and religious sites.

Malaysia
Archbishop Dato Dr Simon Poh Hoon Seng, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia and Member of the Office of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) of the Roman Catholic Church outlined the growing challenges posed by the increasing Islamisation in Malaysia. He noted rising religious intolerance, discrimination, shrinking spaces for religious expression, and affirmative government policies that disadvantage non-Muslims. The introduction of Shariah legal frameworks and laws requiring non-Muslims who marry Muslims to convert were highlighted as pressing concerns of religious minorities in Malaysia.

He acknowledged that despite these challenges, Malaysians across faith traditions remain committed to peace and harmony. “We are to reach out to join hands with people of goodwill for dialogue and work for the common good of all people,” he affirmed.

Timor-Leste
Rev. Levi Vasconcelos Pinto, an ordained minister of the Igreja Protestante iha Timor Lorosa’e (IPTL) and currently serving as Coordinator of the Center of Theological Formation and Head of the Department of Justice and Peace of IPTL, reflected on Timor-Leste’s progress in advancing religious freedom and minority rights, while also recognising the challenges that persist.

Rev. Levi V. Pinto noted that although the Constitution offers strong protections, discriminatory practices are entrenched, and social structures continue to hinder full equality. He stressed that the path forward lies in strengthening education, fostering interfaith collaboration, and promoting a theology rooted in fraternity and human dignity. These steps, he said, are vital to ensuring justice, solidarity, and peace for all citizens.

Myanmar
Recalling the early inter-religious initiatives in Myanmar that opened space for dialogue and cooperation among diverse faith communities, Rev. Mahn Palmerston, General Secretary of the Myanmar Council of Churches, outlined how the growing religious intolerance and hatred is affecting peaceful coexistence and mutual respect in the country’s plural society.

Kyaw Myint, State Brigade Officer of Mon State with the Myanmar Red Cross Society, observed that while the Constitution nominally guarantees religious freedom, minorities, particularly the Hindu community, continue to face societal discrimination and political challenges. Mr Myint emphasised the need for actionable plans to safeguard minority rights through collaboration among faith leaders, scholars, parliamentarians, and government representatives, stressing that urgent steps are needed to address the growing challenges to religious freedom in Myanmar.

Thailand
Rev. Prof. Dr Pradit Takerngrangsarit, a member of the Executive Committee of Religions for Peace – Inter-religious Council of Thailand, reflected on the role of Christianity in Thai society. Although a small community, Christians have historically contributed to education and social development. 

Although the Constitution of the country guarantees religious freedom, challenges remain in balancing this freedom with majority religion’s special status, lack of adequate mechanisms in addressing discrimination against minority groups and ensuring integration while maintaining social harmony. He observed that Christian minorities are active in civil society and have some political representation, though their voice remains limited at the national level.

In his presentation, Prof. Dr Suchart Setthamalinee, Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, addressed the rising Islamophobia in Thai society and the fragile relationship between Buddhists and Muslims, especially in Southern Thailand. He analysed its causes and emphasised the need for initiatives to overcome prejudice, mistrust, and religious hatred. 

Prof. Suchart pointed out good practices for strengthening communal harmony such as the establishment of the Wasatiyah Institute for Peace and Development by the Sheikhul Islam. The institute promotes the principle of balance in Islam, encouraging Muslims in Thailand to live peacefully within a diverse society and to help shape a truly moderate nation.

Sri Lanka
Mike Gabriel, Head of the Religious Freedom Programme of the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, highlighted the gap between constitutional safeguards and the reality on the ground. He noted that while legal protections exist, they are often misapplied, leaving minority communities vulnerable. Harassment frequently goes unpunished, with the State itself at times acting as a perpetrator. He stressed that Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, and increasingly Hindu fundamentalism, are key drivers of violation of right to freedom of religion. While the new reformist government has avoided overtly nationalist rhetoric, he warned that state policy and practice remain majoritarian, particularly at institutional levels.

Underscoring the long history of Sri Lanka’s minority communities, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, Ash-Sheikh S.H.M Faleel, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Senior Lecturer at Jamiah Naleemiah Institute for Islamic Higher Studies, Sri Lanka, explained that while minorities are constitutionally guaranteed rights, they continue to face discrimination, restrictions on worship, and acts of violence. He noted that majoritarian politics, coupled with the misuse of religion for political gain, remain persistent sources of mistrust and tension among Sri Lankans.

Cambodia
According to Khan Khon, a pastor of an independent church in Cambodia, despite the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion, religious minorities in practice face numerous challenges, mainly due to bureaucratic hurdles in registering religious groups, unequal representation in schools, and limited government support compared with that given to the majority religion. Khan Khon, who currently serves as Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Religion, stressed that achieving genuine religious freedom will require the fair application of the law and sincere efforts to treat all religions equally, ensuring that every community is respected and included in the nation’s political, social, and cultural life.

Philippines
Describing the situation of Muslim minorities in the Philippines, Almahdi G. Alonto, Assistant Professor at the Graduate Department of Peace and Development Studies at Mindanao State University, highlighted the plight of Muslims in the predominantly Christian country, particularly in the Mindanao region. He analysed the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Muslim communities in the south and emphasised the importance of addressing discrimination and promoting equitable development to sustain peace and stability in the region.

Indonesia
During an exclusive session on the freedom of religion and the rights of Indonesia’s religious minorities, a panel of speakers from various religious backgrounds shared insights on the current state of religious freedom and interreligious cooperation in Indonesia.

Dr. Aloys Budi Purnomo, representing Christianity, highlighted the role of the Catholic Church’s teachings, example, and invitation in promoting communal harmony. He emphasised the importance of fostering interfaith dialogue as a pathway to peace and cooperation among diverse communities.

While sharing information on the prevailing minority and majority dynamics in the country, Dr. I Nyoman Sarya from the Hindu religious community explained that Hindus, a minority nationally (1.68%), constitute the majority in Bali province (86.5%), where its inclusive cultural practices and strong governance have fostered harmonious interfaith relations. He further emphasised the importance of ongoing interfaith dialogue, youth engagement, and participation in religious ceremonies as a means of fostering mutual respect and communal tolerance between the Muslim majority and minority religious communities during their festivals and special occasions.

Mln. Syed Taha Anwar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spoke on the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between state and religion. He stressed the need to avoid extremes, engage in dialogue even with extremists, and actively understand the struggles of ordinary people rather than remaining a silent majority.

Prof. Dr. Philip K. Widjaja, representing Buddhism in Indonesia, recommended strengthening legal protections to safeguard minority religious rights, expanding multicultural and interreligious education, promoting interfaith dialogue at all levels, and encouraging media and public figures to highlight positive narratives about the country’s diversity.

In Indonesia, Confucianism is officially recognised as a religion, unlike in some East Asian countries where it is viewed as a philosophy. Xs. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, representing Confucianism, reflected on the history and civil rights experiences of the Confucian community across different presidential eras.

Indonesia is home to numerous Indigenous religions across its regions. Engkus Ruswana, representing a confederation of these Indigenous faiths, noted that while constitutional guarantees exist, they are inconsistently applied, and historical stigmas and differential treatment continue to affect adherents.

The panel collectively emphasised that ongoing dialogue, education, and legal protections are vital to sustaining Indonesia’s tradition of religious harmony.

The detailed examination of religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities across Asian countries highlighted ongoing challenges and complex realities. Panelists representing diverse religions from 12 Asian countries emphasised that sustained interfaith engagement, inclusive policies, strong legal protections, tolerance, and active civil society participation are essential to ensure that all individuals can practice their faith freely and with dignity.