Decolonizing Religion and Peacebuilding. Atalia Omer.

Atalia Omer's book, "Decolonizing Religion and Peacebuilding," challenges established paradigms in peace and religious studies by examining the relationship between religion, peacebuilding, and colonial dynamics in post-colonial societies. Omer's research draws from extensive fieldwork in Kenya and the Philippines, revealing paradoxical findings about the depoliticizing consequences of religious peacebuilding practices and the limited impact of increased religious engagement on critical understanding. The book also explores the neo-liberalization and securitization of religious virtuosity, highlighting the co-optation of religious practices for political and economic gain. Omer's utilization of decolonial and intersectional perspectives offers fresh insights and calls for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities and ethical dimensions of religious peacebuilding. [Extracted from the article]