Exploring Muslim Students’ Lived Experiences in Interfaith Dialogues at Multicultural Universities: An Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) Approach
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Abstract
Interfaith dialogues are significant in multicultural societies, fostering understanding and social cohesion. This study focuses on Muslim students in higher education, who often face challenges in negotiating religious identity during interfaith engagement. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA), the study explores their lived experiences through semi-structured interviews with twelve participants. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: navigating religious identity, experiencing spiritual enrichment, overcoming prejudice through empathy, and confronting challenges in sustaining dialogue. Findings show that interfaith dialogues can reinforce faith commitments while cultivating openness to diverse worldviews, contributing to both spiritual and social growth. The study advances knowledge in comparative religion and theology and offers practical insights for designing inclusive interfaith programs that support identity formation, empathy-building, and religious pluralism.
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