Muhammad Sohail

PhD Student in Religious Studies

Supervisors: Philip Fountain and Rick Weiss

Religious Tourism and Peace: A Case Study of Pakistan

Pakistan is a melting pot to the some of the divine religions (Islam and Christianity) and major earthly religions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. It is a host of some of the rare holy places for these three Asian religions. Despite the huge potential in the religious tourism sector, Pakistan could not capitalize on its cultural and religious heritage to reap out maximum socioeconomic outcomes. Primarily the study is focused to explore and explain the potential of Pakistan’s inbound religious tourism and its use as a peace promoter and a diplomatic tool. The study will ponder upon the use of Pakistan’s religious heritage as a connecting bond for the region and beyond. This prong is an integral part of religious tourism and will bridge gaps and contribute to the enhancement of Pakistan’s socioeconomic ties with the rest of the world through soft and everyday diplomacy. The religious pilgrims that pour into Pakistan and have encounters with the host population will soften the irritants and extreme elements within the borders and beyond.