Tadele(Prof), GetnetAmenu, Asebe2020-09-302023-11-182020-09-302023-11-182018-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/22530Interreligious relation is a dynamic and contentious issue in Ethiopia‘s multi-religious setting. This research focuses on investigating the factors promoting peaceful interreligious interactions in Jimma Zone, South Western Ethiopia, which is generally perceived of as an area of interreligious tensions and conflicts. Despite the global importance of religion nowadays, few academic works address the dynamism of interreligious relations, particularly the dualism of interreligious interaction: deep-rooted peaceful coexistence on one hand and emerging issues of interreligious tensions in a religiously diverse setting on the other. Previous literature underemphasizes the influence and interaction of socio-cultural networks and interreligious relations. Interreligious relation is not made in a vacuum, and recognizing this fact, the influence and interaction of multiple organs were underemphasized in the previous literature. This particular study was informed by the theory of functionalism and multiculturalism, which have been developed to explore social cohesion in a society divided along religious lines. Shaped by conflict and identity theories, multiple causes of interreligious disharmony were also explored. Thus, this study advanced understanding of interreligious relations from multiple viewpoints, contributing to collective actions against emerging threats of religious divide and tensions in the country. It employed mixed research approach, with a foundation on pragmatism or methodological pluralism. It was a cross-sectional study employing survey, in-depth and key informant interview, involving 384 residents in the survey along with 25 in-depth and 12 key informant interviews. The data collected from the field using multiple methods were analyzed using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis to arrive at comprehensive conclusions. The study found that socio-cultural factors strongly contribute to maintaining peaceful interreligious encounters. Indigenous socio-economic institutions such as iddir, ikub, and dabo contributed positively to binding Muslims and Christians together, and communal coffee ceremonies fostered neighborhood attachments irrespective of religious differences. The influence of social values gained from religious capitals and doctrines promoted peaceful interreligious coexistence in the study localities. However, recently, despite the deep-rooted existence of peaceful encounters, interreligious conflicts have emerged due to the revival of new religious groups, competition over religious preaching and converts, resource, and social/political dominance. It was also found that the relationship between religious institutions and the state was not clearly separated and even exacerbated by the government‘s interference in xiii religious affairs and labeling expansion and recognition of religion as political activism and radicalism. The contribution of other organs such as religious leaders, local elders, interreligious councils, and faith-based organizations was positive in shaping peaceful interreligious relations although the legal environment for their operation was not conducive. Overall, indigenous neighborhood networks need to be promoted and preserved to sustain a socially integrated society. There is an imperative for utilizing social and religious capital to promote a trusting environment, with interreligious understanding and dialogue at the local level.enThe Dynamics of Interreligious Relations: Religious Diversity, Peaceful Coexistence and Tension in Jimma Zone, South Western EthiopiaThesis