Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies (2993-2599)
Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies welcomes scholarly articles grounded in strong theoretical frameworks and enriched with clear practical relevance. The journal emphasizes research that contributes to meaningful discussions on religion and culture, offering insights applicable to specialists and academics across diverse local and international contexts. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, the journal serves as a platform for advancing knowledge at the crossroads of faith, cultural identity, and contemporary societal issues. Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies(2993-2599 U.S ISSN Center) - aims to accommodate scientific writing of philosophical thought and empirical studies covering major fields, like religion and culture, as well as other fields including law, business, education, economics, fitness, yoga, health, health science, politics, technology, history, agriculture, environment, planetology, cosmology, quantum physics, amongst others social/natural sciences. AJRCS highly appreciates cross-sectoral or multidisciplinary thinking that can trigger the birth of innovation to change both social and cultural fields and lead to better civilization. AJRCS' archiving policy is following the PKP Preservation Network (PN). The PKP Preservation Network (PN) provides free preservation services for any OJS journal that meets a few basic criteria.
The Socio-Spiritual Foundations of Shaping National Values in Students Based on a Culture of Reading
This article analyzes the socio-spiritual foundations of the formation of national values in students through a reading culture. In addition, the article also provides recommendations for strengthening national values at the social level.
Copyright (c) 2026 Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies (2993-2599)
Features of Shakespearean Sonnets in the poems of Saadi Youssef
The sonnet, as invented by the Italians through Lentino and more closely associated with Petrarch, means in its original Italian-European form a "short song." By "song" here, we mean a concentrated, distilled, and specific form; it is an internal song of the soul, a flowing whisper, a revelation undisturbed by the noise of an external voice. Just as the sonnet was associated with Petrarch in Italy, it was associated with Shakespeare in England, although it was first brought by English poets in the sixteenth century. However, Shakespeare's sonnets, written at the end of that century, were essentially a tradition of writing, based on a single, specific feeling, with the idea being revealed or closed as a conclusion in the last two lines. In fact, the precursors of the sonnet in Arabic and Eastern poetry in general can be discerned in the lyrical pieces of Andalusian poets. Moreover, attempts at the structural formation of the sonnet in relatively later periods of Arabic poetry are present.
The Role of Folklore Ensembles in Preserving and Promoting Local Oral Traditions
In particular, folklore ensembles, where they perform, act as the most alive ceremonial mantles of the cultural heritage. It examines their important place in Uzbekistan–where vocal and folkloric dance ensembles keep oral traditions alive and vibrant via song and narrative. Based on historical, ethnographic, and contemporary sources, the study brings out how these groups retain ancient forms of makom and epic recitation yet evolve by shifting into modern contexts. The results highlight the importance of the ensembles in terms of cultural identity, education, and global recognition, and the need for ongoing efforts to conserve them.
Truth-Value Gaps and the Prosperity Gospel: A Kripkean Possible-Worlds Semantics
This study investigates the intersection of truth-value gaps, modal logic, and the Nigerian Prosperity Gospel, focusing on how semantically indeterminate propositions emerge within faith-based discourse. Truth-value gaps, arising where bivalence fails, are traced from Aristotle’s future contingents to Frege’s sense-reference distinction and Strawson’s presuppositional analysis, demonstrating that propositions may lack truth-values without being meaningless. Kripke’s possible-worlds semantics further illuminates how necessity, possibility, and reference operate across accessible worlds, providing a formal framework to analyze religious assertions insulated from empirical falsification. Methodologically, the study employs qualitative approach rooted in analytic philosophy and formal propositional logic, exemplified through the SEMANTIC model, which formalizes seed-faith claims as a fixed conditional, , exposing auxiliary spiritual presuppositions and enabling classical truth-functional evaluation. The analysis reveals that Prosperity Gospel statements, such as “I am blessed” or “Your miracle is coming,” occupy truth-value gaps when empirical reality fails to instantiate promised outcomes. These gaps are maintained through counterfactual faith-states, deferred fulfillment, and semantic flexibility, demonstrating a modal displacement of actuality by the faith-world (). By constructing a complete truth table for , the SEMANTIC model shows that only one precise configuration renders the conditional false, thereby restoring logical clarity to rhetorically elastic claims. The study contributes to knowledge by demonstrating that philosophical semantics can critically assess religious language without undermining belief, revealing how linguistic structures sustain hope while obscuring accountability. This inquiry underscores the ethical and cognitive stakes of semantic transparency, offering a framework for understanding the interplay between faith, language, and socio-economic realities.
Voices from the Edge: Literature of Marginalized Communities
Literature has been a powerful tool whereby societies have captured experiences, values and history. But the voices of the marginalized communities who are characterized by caste, race, gender, class, ethnicity, and indigeneity have all been missing throughout the centuries in the mainstream literary canon. The book The Voices from the Edge: Literature of Marginalized Communities explores how literature created by oppressed groups of people in society challenges this historical silence and reclaims the authority of narrative. This research places the marginalized literature not just as an expression of suffering but as a narrative of resistance and self-improvement and cultural survival. This paper will maintain that marginalized literature is essential in challenging the hegemonic power systems and reinventing identity. Based on theoretical perspectives of subaltern studies, post-colonial criticism and intersectional thinking, the work focuses on how the marginalized writers of the world have turned around their own and their group experiences of being pushed to the sidelines to create a form of political and cultural resistance. Since people often pose questions as to whether the subaltern can speak or not, peripheral literature proves that the subaltern does not merely speak but also creates the language, the form, and the meaning of literary utterance. The paper also follows the historical development of marginalized writing, starting with oral history and folk narratives that held the memory of the community, progressing in the colonial and post-colonial protest writing, and finally moving to present-day writings that receive visibility through translation and digital networks. Particular focus is placed on some of the recurrent themes, including identity development, struggle with systemic oppression, trauma and memory, and the use of the vernacular language as a tool of cultural assertion. These themes demonstrate the way in which marginalized literature challenges those representations and provides other worldviews based on lived experience. Using selective textual citations, the paper shows how authors with marginalized backgrounds use autobiography, poetry, and fiction to unveil social injustices and reclaim the dignity. As an example, Dalit life fiction like Joothan of Dalit hero, Omprakash Valmiki gives the reader the firsthand experience of the discrimination of the caste system where the mainstream portrays social harmony in a sanitized perspective (Valmiki, 2003) . These texts challenge the hierarchies within literature by foreshadowing authenticity as opposed to aesthetic elitism and by asserting that lived experience is an acceptable source of knowledge. The wider contribution of marginalized literature in the society and academia is also discussed in the article. These works suggest the inclusion of literature and promote empathy among the readers through the expansion of the literary canon. Meanwhile, marginalized writers still have to struggle with such issues as poor access to publishing, language marginalization, and cultural appropriation. Though these challenges exist, the increasing acknowledgement of marginalized literature is a indication of a great turn towards the democratisation of the literary spaces.
Borders and Belonging: Narratives of Diaspora and Displacement
Diaspora/displacement has become characteristics of our modern times, and it has not only produced some impact on migration patterns, but also on the forms of cultural representation and the literary imagination. Diasporic narratives in English literature take center stage through giving voice to people and groups that are situated in marginal areas between countries, cultures, and identities. Borders and Belonging: Narratives of Diaspora and Displacement challenges the articulation of diasporic texts in making the emotional, psychological and cultural effects of migration, including the shifting sense of identity, home and belonging. Instead of viewing migration as an act of departure, this article describes diaspora as a constant state of functioning characterized by negotiation, memory, and the transformation. Diasporic literature is often the result of rupture, i.e. the loss of homeland, the loss of accustomed systems of culture, and the face-to-face confrontation with new social environments. These experiences foster a lasting sense of in-betweenness where people are neither fixed nor yet completely absorbed in the past and the present. The cultural identity as formulated by Stuart Hall is invaluable in obtaining this state. Hall argues that identity is not predetermined and imperative but it is produced and reproduced via the historical experience, representation and difference (Hall, 1993). As a result, identity in the diasporic is depicted as a process of becoming, which is formed through the migration, memory, and cultural exchange, but not the singular national or ethnic origin. The paper also delves into the way displacement is both a source of alienation and a landscape of creative potential. In literature, time and again we see migrants struggling with their sense of displacement, nostalgia and cultural displacement. The memories of the homeland are usually romanticised and create an emotional conflict between the past and the present. But it is also through these stories that displacement opens up new modes of belonging that go beyond the hard-line national boundaries. Diasporic subjects create meaning and agency in new contexts through language, telling stories, and cultural hybridity. These representations can be analyzed with a great help of postcolonial theory. The concept of hybridity and the so-called Third Space put forward by Homi K.Bhabha explains why the emergence of diasporic identities is possible due to the encounter of various cultures instead of assimilation or cultural fragmentation. The current diaspora writing shows the manner in which migrants are able to mediate the cultures that prevail and yet retain some aspect of their ancestral culture hence creating hybrid identities that do not deprive them of rigid identities. According to Madli (2025), the literature of the Diaspora reflects this hybridism as it presents diaspora as not a state of trauma only but a changing state that creates new forms of culture and understanding.
The Philadelphia Plan (1969 AD): The Historical Roots of Affirmative Action Policies in the United States of America
The Philadelphia Plan of 1969 was an important milestone in the development of affirmative action policies in the US. The plan was an expression of the federal government’s dedication to ending racial discrimination in the US labor force. The plan was a product of the convergence of civil rights movements, government policies, and labor market conditions. The plan was a significant development in affirmative action policies as it institutionalized affirmative action policies in the US. The paper will discuss the historical antecedents of affirmative action policies from the New Deal to the Great Society. The paper will also discuss the role of various presidential administrations in developing affirmative action policies in the US. The various presidential administrations that will be discussed in this paper are those of F.D. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, J.F. Kennedy, L.B. Johnson, Nixon, and others. The historical institutionalist approach will be used in this paper to understand the development of the Revised Philadelphia Plan. Other sources used in this paper will include executive orders, labor statistics, Congressional debates, and scholarly analyses. The paper will also show that the plan was developed with an objective to integrate African American laborers with their white counterparts without replacing the existing workforce. According to labor statistics from 1963 to 1969, African American unemployment was almost double that of whites. These findings show that although the Revised Philadelphia Plan faced resistance, had little employment benefits, and was not successful, it was an early affirmative action policy by the president that had a significant impact on many other policies in fifty-six cities in the United States. The Philadelphia Plan was a federal contracting policy that utilized the federal contracting power to enforce civil rights policies, which has been an important part of affirmative action policies. It can clearly be determined that the Philadelphia Plan was an important strategy aimed at solving many of the issues affecting African Americans, especially when considering employment, the civil rights movement, and other important aspects affecting the United States. Moreover, it can clearly be determined that the policy offered an important guideline for the formulation of affirmative action policies aimed at solving the issue of employment, equality, and social justice, among others.
Study of Tantrik Lokachara in Jagannath Culture
The article reflects on the Tatntrik Lokachara as prevalent in the worship of Hindu Deities in the Jagannath Culture. The study argues that both the Aryas and the Anaryas follow the various forms of ‘Tantrik’ rituals in performing their pujas. There are three prescribed ways of performing pujas in Hindu Deities, i.e ‘Nigam,’ ‘Agam’and ‘Lokachara’. ‘Nigam’ is considered as very pious form of Hindu Vedic rituals, whereas ‘Agam’ is associated with Tantrik system and Lokachara is the union of both the system. The study analyzes that the mode of upasana or worship of Lord Jagannath is unique and mysterious. The paper unearths that as this Adivasi Deity is purely associated with ‘Sabari Tantra’, the tantrik rituals are closely associated with Jagannath upasana along with karmakanda parampara. This Karmakanda is connected with Agam, which mainly associated with Japa, Tapa and Yagna. Whereas Agam rituals are guided by Jantra, Tantra and Mantra. Hence, Lord Jagannath is considered as the Tantrik Debata. His ‘Ratna Vedi’is on the ‘Sri Yantra’. Apart from that, lord Jagannath is also popularly known as Dakshinakalika due to his Feminine attire. Tantra aims at transforming every action into reality. So, Prabhu Jagannath has a Kriya shakti ‘Bimala’ which is known as ‘Hladini Shati.’ The moving lord is nothing without Shakti. So, Lord Jagannath is considered as Peetheswara and Maa Bimala is Peetheswari. The research reveals that Panchamakara Upasana is one of the Tantric rituals of Lord Jagannath cult. As Odisha was a great ‘Uddiyan Kshetra’ and Shakti Upasana is strongly associated with this, Feminine Shakti commands as much respect as does Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. The study highlights that this is the only Kshetra where Lord Jagannath is worshipped as Bhairav who is the union of both Kala and Mahakali Swarupa. Thus, the article by shedding light on the synthesis of Arjya and Anarjya Paramparas in Jagannath cult contributes to the religious and cultural awareness of people for a harmonious coexistence in the society.
Conditions for the Emergency Movement (In the Example of the Fergana Valley)
The article discusses the Jadid movement's promotion of public enlightenment, the main goal of the movement, the history of the Jadid movement in the Fergana Valley, Ismailbek Gaspirali, Ishaqkhan Ibrat, Ashurali Zohiri and Saidahmad Siddiqi Ajzi, the fact that Ishaqkhan Ibrat was not limited to the sciences taught by the madrasa, that he independently and diligently read the works of great Eastern scholars during his studies, and that Ishaqkhan Ibrat lived in central European cities such as Istanbul, Sofia, Athens and Rome, as well as in large cities such as Kabul in Afghanistan and Jeddah in Arabia, based on the analysis of primary documents.
Abdug'aniyev Ma'murjon Muhammadjon o'g'li
Reflections on the Development of the Press in Khorezm During the Years of Independence
Today, information is considered the main driving force of human society. The press serves as the primary carrier and guiding instrument of this force. Indeed, information enters society, takes shape, and becomes embedded in public consciousness precisely through the press. This article presents reflections on the process of development of the press in the Khorezm region during the years of independence.
The Role of Religious Culture in Strengthening Social Cohesion in Contemporary Society
Religious culture has long been recognized as an influential social phenomenon shaping moral values, collective identity, and patterns of social interaction. In contemporary societies characterized by globalization, cultural pluralism, and social transformation, maintaining social cohesion has become an increasingly complex challenge. This article explores the role of religious culture in strengthening social cohesion by examining its moral, cultural, and social functions. Employing a qualitative methodology based on document analysis and comparative literature review, the study analyzes scholarly perspectives on religion as a cultural system contributing to social solidarity, tolerance, and communal integration. The findings demonstrate that religious culture continues to function as a significant source of shared values, ethical norms, and social trust. The article argues that, when interpreted inclusively and integrated within broader cultural frameworks, religious culture can positively contribute to social cohesion without contradicting secular principles. The study concludes by highlighting the need for further empirical research into the interaction between religious culture and social cohesion in diverse societal contexts.
Article Review: Studies of Political Systems and Their Reflections on the Current Situation in Iraq
It is evident to all the extent of the importance of studies in political systems as an academic specialization, in providing and enriching knowledge for the Iraqi politician, since these studies are derived from reality and are based on a purely academic methodology, documented through rigorous studies and precise scientific findings. What grants the researcher in political affairs an appropriate intellectual framework is the ability to address unresolved issues in history that some attempt to calculate in isolation, without linking them to other related issues. Today, we seek to identify common ground and to avoid being drawn into self-evident assumptions that occupy a wide space in the escalating political conflict, which in turn emerged within the divided Iraqi society after 2003. This represents an imbalance in the balance of power and a sense of suspicion among other components, which the 2005 Constitution attempted to define indirectly. Methodology and historical determinism thus formed an intense cultural conflict between one side and another, and the political arena became engulfed in a fierce, unrelenting struggle. Political currents confronted one another, each according to its size, and political components emerged aligning themselves with their respective currents and blocs, while researchers found it difficult to identify logical alternatives capable of either mobilizing the street or calming its conflicts. Therefore, we do not stand idly by in the face of overlapping arenas, nor do we allow conflicts—even virtual ones on the internet—to persist. We may record the strengths and weaknesses of one component or another. The country became divided into two camps, with each side considering itself to be right. Ideas and cultures slipped into a state of permanent conflict, which became evident in elections where each component stood with its own, excluding others, recording record numbers in the lexicons of the unconscious. Collective reasoning operated in a rigid manner, attempting to secure a foothold in decisive issues, moreover, the masses were provoked by certain sectarian terms, which one side or another perceived as attempts to undermine it, with each interpreting them as directed against itself and its component. Consequently, the following terms were used in a way that allowed Iraqi politicians to exploit them in their daily dealings, investing them in the worst as follows; Quota-based power sharing was first adopted, and then this term was refined into notions such as partnership, consensus, and balance. Yet, after all this, it entrenched the abhorrent concept of sectarianism. This emerged as a reaction to an authoritarian, totalitarian, and dictatorial regime that divided a single people and fragmented them according to sectarian and regional loyalties. What further compounded the problem was the system that came after 2003, which institutionalized this concept, immersed itself in it, and even took satisfaction in it. Accordingly, the presidencies were distributed on the basis of a sectarian constitutional custom: the President to be Kurdish, the Prime Minister Shiite, and the Speaker of Parliament Sunni, this arrangement extended to all positions within the Iraqi state, reaching even service-level employees. This constitutional custom, although not written into the constitution, had previously been practiced in Lebanon and was later embodied in Iraq. What becomes evident from all this is that any group that had been deprived and whose freedom had been suppressed began to exercise its freedom on a wider scale, Shiites, who had been deprived of practicing their rituals, reclaimed—under the new system of governance—their path toward freedom as a result of the sectarian repression they had endured. The Kurds likewise began to practice their national rituals and to express their national identity openly and explicitly.
Copyright (c) 2025 Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies (2993-2599)
The Snake the Rescuer; The Woman the Avenger: Reversal of Order in Girish Karnad’s Naga-Mandala
Girish Karnad in his plays makes a dire attempt to create a world where the women would have their due of love, desire and sexuality. Walking beyond the strict rules of the society that has ordained sexual pleasures as the rightful claim of men and that which is a shame when it comes to a woman, Karnad creates an equal ground. The woman protagonist Rani attains the fulfilment of her desires without an iota of guilt and without Nature’s intervention. Nature the primordial had ever been one with human instincts and the urge for sexuality being a prime instinct had never been interfered with. It is civilizations’ bias that had worked on the contrary. Here the power game between the different quarters come to the focus and Nature in the Naga and civilization in the husband face the human in Rani making her victorious.
The Impact of Water Pollutants on the Hydrological Characteristics of the Euphrates River in the City of Nasiriyah
Water Pollution: Water pollution constitutes one of the significant challenges facing urban areas in most countries across the globe. Technological changes and industrialization have resulted in the use of significant amounts of water to support and maintain industrial processes, aside from the amounts used for domestic and agricultural purposes. Consequently, the amounts and types of waste and residue arising from such use have ended up affecting natural sources of water, namely surface and groundwater, upon disposal into such sources without prior treatments. This has resulted in modifications to the quantities and quality attributes associated with water, with consequent environmental influences adversely affecting the use of water for various purposes. The study established the existence of various factors influential in shaping the hydrological property attributes associated with water, symbolized by the geological structure and surfaces, as well as the modification attributed to the influences of environmental elements for potentially increasing the challenge associated with water pollution in the Euphrates River. The study also established the forms and sources associated with such pollutions, alongside the modifications to the various levels and forms associated with the use of water arising from modifications to its hydrological property attributes. The study also explained various important approaches associated with curtailing such levels and forms associated with water pollution and its harmful environmental influences.
INNOVATIVE METHODS OF TEACHING GERMAN TO STUDENTS STUDYING GERMAN AS A SECOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Teaching German as a second foreign language (L3, typically after English as L2) requires approaches that account for learners' existing multilingual competence, potential transfer effects, and distinct motivational profiles. This enhanced article provides a comprehensive review of innovative pedagogical methods, including multilingual contrastive didactics (e.g., Deutsch als Fremdsprache nach Englisch – DaFnE), task-based language teaching (TBLT), content and language integrated learning (CLIL), flipped classroom models, collaborative and project-based learning, and advanced digital integrations such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools, and gamification. Empirical evidence from recent studies demonstrates improved proficiency, metacognitive awareness, motivation, and intercultural competence. An expanded table details methods, implementation strategies, benefits, challenges, and supporting research. Recommendations emphasize teacher training and hybrid models to optimize outcomes in diverse educational contexts.
ANALYSIS OF SOME AUXILIARIES IN THE OʻGʻUZ DIALECT OF THE UZBEK LANGUAGE
This article discusses the Oguz dialect of the Uzbek language, some of its specific linguistic features, as well as the use and role of auxiliaries in this dialect. It is explained with examples taken from dialectological materials related to the Oguz dialect.
GENDER PECULIARITIES OF ENGLISH PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS
This study investigates gender peculiarities in English phraseological units (PUs) to reveal how language encodes cultural attitudes, stereotypes, and social hierarchies related to masculinity and femininity. Phraseological units—idioms, fixed expressions, and proverbs—serve as linguistic markers of historically shaped gender concepts. Using cognitive, sociolinguistic, and semantic analysis, the study categorizes gender-marked idioms, examines their conceptual metaphors, and evaluates the extent of gender asymmetry. The findings indicate that male-related idioms predominantly highlight strength, rationality, and authority, whereas female-related idioms emphasize emotionality, beauty, domestic roles, or social dependence. Additionally, the article identifies modern trends toward gender neutrality and inclusive expression in contemporary English. The research concludes that while traditional idioms preserve historical gender biases, current linguistic changes reflect evolving cultural attitudes toward gender equality.
Musical Traditions of Samarkand in the Early 20th Century
In this article, the services rendered by the famous Samarkand vocalists, master–disciple Shashmaqom performers Hoji Abdulaziz Abdurasulov and Qori Siroj Yusupov, in Uzbek musical art, as well as their creative research carried out in the field of art, are discussed. All information in the article is written on the basis of historical facts. Musical terminology is also used.
Demographic and Sociological Transformations in Iraqi Society After 2003: Kirkuk City as a Model
This study addresses the demographic transformations that Iraq has undergone since 2003 and their profound impact on the country’s social, economic, and political structures. Following the U.S. occupation, Iraq experienced significant changes in its population structure due to migration, displacement, high population growth rates, and an increasing proportion of youth. These transformations were accompanied by various challenges, including unemployment, the spread of informal housing (slums), the deterioration of education and healthcare systems, and the weakening of family structures. Additionally, these changes contributed to the destabilization of social security and the rise of sectarian conflicts. The research explores the concept of demographic transformation, the underlying causes of these changes in Iraq, and their impact on social values, family structures, and the labor market. It also examines key indicators of this transformation, such as population pressure, migration, unemployment, and declining fertility rates. The study concludes that Iraq is currently undergoing a critical phase that could potentially allow it to benefit from a “demographic dividend” — provided that balanced population policies are implemented, infrastructure is improved, migration is managed effectively, and the role of demographic and social research institutions is strengthened.
The Role of the Constitutional Judiciary is to Serve as a Guarantee for the Protection of Basic Rights and Freedoms
The subject of the study deals with the role of the constitutional judiciary as a guarantee for the protection of basic rights and freedoms. The research was divided into two sections. In the first section, we reviewed the function of the constitutional judiciary through monitoring the constitutionality of laws, interpreting the constitution, the legitimacy of the constitutional judiciary, and the foundations of the constitutional judiciary. In the second section, the researcher referred to the constitutional mechanisms that guarantee rights and freedoms by reviewing the oversight of the constitutionality of laws that were entrusted to a judicial body that stands in the way of any violation or transgression of limits issued by public authorities during the exercise of their work. The study concluded that the constitutional texts establish the principles of rights and freedoms, and determine them based on a way that guarantees individuals’ enjoyment of it in the state of law and gives it a constitutional character.
Tourist Attractions in Bukhara and Their Cultural Significance
This article discusses the main tourist attractions of Bukhara, their historical and cultural significance, and their role in the development of tourism today. Bukhara is one of the most ancient cities in Central Asia, and its architectural monuments, madrasas, mosques, and ensembles have their own historical layers. The article discusses the history of the creation of Ark Castle, Poi-Kalon Complex, Lyabi-Hovuz Ensemble, Mir Arab Madrasa, Ulugbek Madrasa, Chor Minor Building, and other important objects, their architectural features, and the spiritual heritage transmitted through them to generations. It also analyzes the importance of these monuments in the understanding of national identity, the preservation of traditional values, and the development of international tourism. The results of the study show that cultural heritage objects are a decisive factor in increasing the tourism potential of Bukhara.
Revisiting Women’s Freedom Struggles in India: A Historical Analysis with Special Reference to Kanaklata Barua of Assam
The study examine the role of women in the anti-colonial movement, emphasizing the stories of those who emerged as potent agents of resistance by defying societal standards, gender norms, and colonial oppression. Kanaklata Barua of Assam is a powerful representation of young bravery and selflessness among these individuals. This study explores her role in the larger framework of women's nationalist involvement, looking at how her acts subverted patriarchal norms in Assamese society as well as British authority. Narratives about male leaders have long dominated the history of India's liberation struggle, obscuring the achievements of women, especially those who were less well-known and from the countryside (Sharma, 2010, p. 87). In order to give Kanaklata Barua and other female freedom warriors their proper place in the national narrative, the article will explore archival materials, regional histories, and existing scholarship on women's engagement in the liberation movement. The analysis shows that their resistance was intricately linked to the mainstream nationalist movement rather than being on the periphery. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate women's perspectives into India's mainstream historiography through a critical reevaluation of historical narratives, so expanding our understanding of what national resistance entails.
Copyright (c) 2023 Intersections of Faith and Culture: American Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies (2993-2599)
Assessment of the Impact of Political and Economic Factors on Inflation through Multiple Regression Analysis
This study evaluates the impact of political and economic factors on inflation using a multiple regression framework applied to panel data from emerging economies over the period 2000–2024. The results reveal that political stability, money supply growth, fiscal balance, exchange-rate volatility, and trade openness are significant determinants of inflation. Political instability is shown to heighten inflationary expectations, weaken monetary credibility, and amplify external vulnerabilities. Economic factors such as excessive monetary expansion and persistent fiscal deficits also exert upward pressure on prices. The findings underscore that effective inflation control requires not only sound macroeconomic policies but also strong institutions, stable governance, and credible policy frameworks.
Swami Vivekanand’s Concept of ‘Spiritual Nationalism’: An Inquiry
Swami Vivekanand was a great sanyasi and bona fide nationalist. He believes that spirituality and religion both are the main theme of India. Spiritual nationalism of Vivekanand is a unique synthesis of India’s cultural heritage, its civilisation and religious philosophy, and modern aspirations. Vivekananda’s nationalism is based not only on political or territorial ground of nationalism but also on spiritual ethos of India for national identity. He opined that real nationalism must be rooted in spirituality, as it is the soul of Indian civilisation. Vivekananda stressed on regeneration of India through the revival of Indian culture, spiritual values, and moral strength. His vision of nationalism was inclusive, transcending caste, creed, and regional divisions, and focused on service to humanity as the highest form of patriotism. He linked the religion with nation-building to create a strong, self-reliant India that could contribute to global economy. His philosophy continues to inspire discourses on national identity, cultural resilience, and the role of spirituality in public life. He emphasised that the strength of India comes from religious and spiritual ideas. He understands that religion is backbone of India’s national life. He opined that national life of Indian citizens should be organised on the basis of religious principles. Vivekananda brought back eternal things of Indian Scriptures like Vedas and Upanishads to build up country’s development and faith in individuals. Vivekananda invoked the masses, worked for physical and moral strength of people and created consciousness among Indians for their country’s pride towards ancient glory and greatness. Thus, he became the eminent architect of modern nationalism in Bharat (India). Vivekananda gave importance to the concept of strength and fearlessness. Vivekananda announced that ‘the essence of my religion is strength’. A nation is made only by its individuals and that is why Vivekananda requested all individuals to inculcate the qualities of prowess, human dignity and respect for all. He had deep love and compassion in his heart for poor. He used to say that for the betterment of the poor, it is important to give them education and message of spirituality. He was of the opinion that let the poor be fed and they would take care of the rest. He opined that awakening of masses is important. Vivekananda opined that India may emerge as a determined and stable nation only on the basis of religion. Thus, the paper will enquire Vivekananda’s spiritual nationalism and give some insights how his ideas is relevant at present scenario.
Echoes of Devotion: A Living Heritage of Historic Sri Sri Ganesh Temple in Abhayapuri, Assam: A Cultural, Literary, and Historical Study
The historic Sri Sri Ganesh Temple at Lalmati-Duramari of Abhayapuri located in the district of Bongaigaon, Assam stands as a strong symbol of the deep bond between cultural heritage and religious devotion. Although its exact origin is lost in the flow of oral stories, the temple has grown over many generations into an important cultural centre for the communities of the region. This paper looks at the temple through a literary and historical approach, placing it within the wider traditions of Assamese spirituality, social identity, and shared memory. Using oral accounts, observations, and cultural study, the research shows that the temple is not only a place of worship but also a living record of many layers of cultural history. It explores the living architecture of the temple, its rituals, natural surroundings and its importance in passing heritage from one generation to the next. The study concludes that the Sri Sri Ganesh Temple is embellished with tradition and culture, keeping the ancient spiritual practices alive, while remaining closely connected to modern life in Abhayapuri.
British Raj in Assam and the Politics of Linguistic Nationalism: An Overview on Growth and Maturation
Colonial Assam witnessed the rise of linguistic nationalism as a dominant force developing identity and political mobilization. This study examines maturation process of linguistic nationalism in Assam during the colonial period, centering on how colonial policies shaped language based identity creation and political ambitions. Depending on historical interpretation and examining archival records and literary texts, the paper studies the antagonism between Bengali and Assamese in terms of territorial and cultural contentions. It also emphasizes the missionary engagement, the emergence of middle class, Bengali Assamese linguistic disputes, population diversity and regional programs for education. The conclusions disclose that linguistic nationalism in Assam both a reply to colonial linguistic structure and a push for colonial reorganizations. The study emphasizes the lasting impact of colonial linguistic strategies on Indian nation building and emphasizes the language complexity in the local politics of later post-colonial Assam.
Significance of Vivekananda's Practical Vedanta: Today and Tomorrow
Swami Vivekananda's philosophy of Practical Vedanta represents a revolutionary synthesis of ancient Indian spiritual wisdom and modern pragmatic application. This research examines the contemporary relevance and future implications of Vivekananda's teachings, which bridge the gap between metaphysical speculation and practical life. Through comprehensive analysis of his works and their impact on various domains including education, social reform, interfaith dialogue, and personal development, this study demonstrates how Practical Vedanta offers viable solutions to current global challenges while providing a framework for future human development. The research employs qualitative methodology, drawing from primary sources, scholarly interpretations, and contemporary applications to establish the enduring significance of Vivekananda's philosophical contributions in addressing modern existential, social, and spiritual concerns.
Traditional Socio-Political Structure & Institutions for Self-Governance of Paudi Bhuyan Tribe: An Ethnographic Study
The current paper examines the traditional socio political structure of the Paudi Bhuyan tribe in Odisha. In tribal communities, socio-political institutions are essential for sustaining peace, order, and stability. Various forms of socio-political l structures can still be observed at different levels, including bands, tribes, and chiefdoms. Among the Paudi Bhuyan, these socio-political institutions effectively manage socio-cultural, economic, religious, and local common property resources. The introduction of the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) system has led to modifications in the traditional council's dynamics. Over time, the role and status of the village head (Pradhan) have diminished with the election of ward members, sarpanchs and other PRI members. Historically, this socio-political institutions has played a vital role in socializing community members to uphold a dignified existence while ensuring order and peace within their locality.
Beliefs and Festivals of Oraon: A Folkloristic Study
Odisha has 62 distinct tribal groups, making it the largest collection of tribal people in a single state in the country. Each of these tribal groups has its own indigenous customs and continues to practice them even today. It is home to India's ancient civilization and most of it is concentrated around the Eastern Ghat hill ranges in the region of Koraput, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj. The antiquity of Orissa is endorsed by her ancient people who continue to inhabit their traditional dwelling places in remote areas in the deep forests and hilly interiors. Steeped in the mystery that surrounds their ancient ways, the Odishan tribals continue to be a source of deep interests of scholars from various disciplines.
The Socio-Political Environment of Abu Hanifa's Time and the Role of Imam Azam in It
This article explores the socio-political environment during Abu Hanifa’s lifetime and his stance toward political authority. It highlights his refusal to accept official positions, his respect for the Prophet’s descendants, and his major contributions to Islamic jurisprudence. Abu Hanifa’s legacy continues through the widespread Hanafi school of thought today. In particular, Abu Hanifa was offered the position of seal by Yazid ibn Umar during the Umayyad era and the position of judge in Baghdad by Caliph Abu Ja'far during the Abbasid era, but he declined the offers. The article also highlights the specific aspects of Abu Hanifa's relationship with the judges of that era.