The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh

This book is a comprehensive study of the intersection of religion, Indigenous culture, and community life, featuring an in-depth examination of the Orang Asli in Malaysia and the Santals in Bangladesh that aims for a socially inclusive, harmonious, and peaceful society. It dives into the impact of conversion on Indigenous identities, employing extensive ethnographic and phenomenological methodologies. The authors explore the conversion process attentively, revealing hidden isolation.

This compact volume offers intriguing insights into Southeast and South Asia's rich tapestry, including nuance to discussions concerning religious pluralism, human rights, and the pursuit of social justice. Readers gain a better understanding of varied religious communities and Indigenous perspectives in order to promote a more inclusive and fair society. In the book, the authors provide real-life experiences, extensive analysis, and practical solutions for Indigenous populations in Malaysia and Bangladesh. They blend together thoughts and narratives, encompassing sociopolitical and historical themes. With visuals, case studies, and varied views, the volume builds respect for global variety while driving societal inclusion with the spirit of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh addresses pressing social justice and human rights issues, pushing for rights-based society and diversity, while balancing academic rigor and accessibility. The book is intended for scholars and researchers interested in Indigenous peoples, religious conversion, social justice, and human rights. It offers detailed insights into the conversion experiences of Malaysian Orang Asli and Bangladeshi Santal groups, and provides commentary on civil freedoms following conversion and reveals complex views of these communities, making the volume useful for scholars researching intersectionality in religious conversions and the dynamics surrounding Indigenous populations. Policymakers in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and other Asian countries dealing with comparable concerns with converted Indigenous people might benefit from the book's evidence-based insights and challenges, promoting more inclusive and culturally sensitive policies and urging Malaysian and Bangladeshi governments to recognize conversion-related issues.

Jahid Siraz Chowdhury teaches at the Master of Social Work Program at Lincoln University College in Malaysia. He is also associated with the Research and Training Forum (RTF). Chowdhury's academic pursuits encompass methodological contributions to the Sociology of Knowledge, and innovative applications of social theory, including the development of the Bio-Bank Model for Indigenous Knowledge. He is the author of 10 influential books, including Ubuntu Philosophy for the New Normalcy (Palgrave, 2023), Reciprocity and Its Practice in Social Science (IGI Global, 2022), Volunteering in Social Research (Routledge, 2024, in press), History and Educational Philosophy for Social Justice and Human Rights (IGI Global, 2024), and The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh (Springer, in press).

Dr. Jahid’s intellectual journey is increasingly oriented towards the profound realms of spirituality and Sufism. Guided by his master, Prof. Zulkarnain A. Hatta―a revered Sufi Master (Murshid)―Dr. Jahid is not merely exploring these disciplines but is also reconnecting with them on a deeper, more intellectual level. His works, Spiritual Social Work Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, published by TRC Sapphire, reflect this inward focus. His forthcoming volumes delve further into this exploration, with titles such as Spirituality in Social Work Practice, Sacred Sources of Coping, and Including the Excluded in Social Work Pedagogy: Marginalized and Indigenous Communities through Reciprocal Research. In Sufi Mirror: Human Nature Through Philosophical Anthropology, he contemplates the intersection of human nature and philosophical thought. Currently, Dr. Jahid, along with Prof. Zulkarnain and Dr. Kumar, are engaged with the Asian and Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) on a project titled Ubuntu, Guyub, and Buen Vivir: A Cosmovisionic Guide for ASEAN Social Work Practice. His masterwork in progress, Sufi Dictionary: A Lexicon of Social Justice and Harmony, aims to offer a comprehensive vocabulary that bridges the spiritual and the social, promoting justice and harmony.

Additionally, he is working on a deeply personal project, a memoir titled Zulkarnain A Hatta: Knowing an Unknowing Soulful Social Worker. The memoir will offer a heartfelt tribute to his Sufi Murshid (Master), exploring the soulful dimensions of social work as embodied by Prof. Zulkarnain A. Hatta that may serve social work professionals.

Kumarashwaran Vadevelu is currently Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Administration and Justice at Universiti Malaya. He completed his degree in Social Work in 2003 at University Sains Malaysia, He completed his Master of Social Work (Mixed-Mode) in 2008 at University Sains Malaysia. He obtained his PhD in Social Work at University Sains Malaysia in 2015. His areas of interest include gender equality, LGBT studies and community development, marginalized communities and mental health issues. He has teaching experience of more than nine years in Social Work. During years 2015 to 2022, he was appointed as Visiting Professor for social work studies at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Thailand. He has published Reviving and Re-Writing Ethics in Social Research for Commoning the Community (IGI Global, 2024); Volunteering in Social Research (Routledge, 2024, in press); and The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh (Springer, in press).

Paramjit Singh Jamir Singh is an Associate Professor and the Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Industry-Community Engagement at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His research interests focus on HIV and AIDS, drug addiction, harm reduction, criminal justice, mental health, social work with families and marginalised groups. Prior to joining the university, he worked as a Senior Police Officer in the Crime Investigation Department, Royal Malaysian Police. He was appointed by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department to serve as an advisor to the Magistrate Court Judge, providing recommendations for sentencing and the welfare of juvenile offenders. He has also been appointed by the Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development to serve as a Chairman for the Penang Child Welfare Task Force to enhance the social functioning and well-being of marginalized children. He was also a consultant for the National Anti-Drug Agency in improving drug treatment and rehabilitation. He has been a guest speaker at numerous government agencies, schools, colleges, the private sector, and NGOs. His talk is mainly on the awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS and drug addiction in Malaysia. Along with many influential scientific papers, his major contribution is The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh (Springer, in press).

Mohd Rashid Mohd Saad is an educationist and serves as an assistant professor at the Department of Education at Universiti Malaya. At present, he is working in the drug discoveries of Indigenous communities in Bangladesh. His works include Ubuntu Philosophy for the New Normalcy (Palgrave, 2023), Reciprocity and Its Practice in Social Science (IGI Global, 2022), The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh (Springer, in press), and Methodological Pluralism in Asian Context (Routledge, in press).

Zulkarnain A. Hatta is a career Social Worker and serves as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities at Malaysia's Lincoln University College. Professor Zulkarnain was the President of the Asian and Pacific Association for Social Work Education (APASWE) and also previously served as vice president for the Asian region of the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) (2017–2021). He obtained a DSW, an MSW, and a BA in Criminal Justice. He belongs to both APASWE and MASW, the Malaysian Association of Social Workers. His areas of interest are safety net issues, spirituality, and social work education. Zulkarnain is a practicing, teaching, and researching social worker. He is fluent in both English and Bahasa Malaysia. He published many core volumes from reputed publishers, including Reviving and Re-Writing Ethics in Social Research for Commoning the Community (IGI Global, 2024); Volunteering in Social Research (Routledge, 2024, in press); and The Intersection of Faith, Culture, and Indigenous Community in Malaysia and Bangladesh (Springer, in press).