Muhammad Sohail

PhD Candidate in Study of Religion

Supervisors: Associate Professor Philip Fountain and Associate Professor Rick Weiss

Religious Tourism and Peace: A Case Study of Pakistan

After completing my Bachelor of Arts degree, I began my professional journey as an elementary educator with the Workers Welfare Board in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in 2012. Concurrently, I pursued further education, earning a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education, and a Master of Arts in Political Science. I subsequently graduated from the National Defence University in Islamabad, Pakistan, with a Master of Philosophy in International Relations. These rigorous academic pursuits have equipped me to pursue my highest qualification from an esteemed international institution, prompting my journey to New Zealand to pursue my aspirations.

I am currently undertaking my PhD thesis entitled “Religious Tourism and Peace; A Case Study of Pakistan.” Historically, Pakistan has been significant for various South Asian religious traditions. It continues to uphold a highly valued religious heritage and possesses considerable diplomatic potential in religious tourism and pilgrimage. It serves as the cradle of some of the world's ancient civilizations and is home to a plethora of religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. This thesis aims to explore the question: How do Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh pilgrimages in Pakistan shape the daily practices of interreligious relationships? To address this inquiry, I examine the interreligious interactions between pilgrims and their Muslim hosts at selected Buddhist, Hindu, and Sikh pilgrimage sites in Pakistan. I analyze how their personal interactions at these pilgrimage sites influence the experiences of interreligious conviviality or tension among devotees of different faiths. Instead of focusing solely on political elites or state diplomacy, the study investigates the concept of everyday diplomacy in the context of interfaith relationships and daily engagements at selected pilgrimage sites. I aspire to demonstrate that even amid heightened political tensions over religious differences, there is substantial potential for convivial relationships in everyday interactions. Furthermore, while prevalent discourses scrutinize the possibility of religion instigating or exacerbating conflict, this research will explore its role in promoting peace.

Research Interests

I am broadly interested in the politics and sociology of South Asian religions. South Asia is one of the most densely populated regions worldwide, known for its diverse and complex social and ethnic identities. Religion plays a vital, central, and dominant role in South Asian politics and society. It is often used as a political tool by elites, impacting the socio-political environment of some states, especially regarding religious minorities. In this context, I explore the relationship between religion, politics, and society in the region and the various consequences of this interplay.

My focus is on how religion is experienced, practiced, and negotiated across South Asia. I employ qualitative and ethnographic techniques to study religious communities and their sacred locations. These sites provide unique opportunities for followers of different faiths to develop spirituality and act as venues for interfaith engagement. I investigate the history, development, and influence of sacred sites within South Asian faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, emphasizing their role in fostering interfaith relationships.

Qualifications

M.Phil. in International Relations. Med.

Publications

2025. Sohail, M. Countering Islamophobia Through Interfaith Encounters. The Interfaith Observer. 29 October 2025.

2017. Sohail, M., & Iqbal, H. Indian Factor in Pak-Iran Relations. Journal of Contemporary Studies, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.54690/jcs.v6i1.114