MOSQUE IMAMS AS THEOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PEACEMAKERS IN MULTI-RELIGIOUS URBAN COMMUNITIES: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY FROM THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Religious conflict remains a persistent challenge in multi-religious urban societies across the Global South, where religious diversity intersects with social, political, and regulatory complexities. In such contexts, mosque imams often emerge as key grassroots actors in mediating conflict and fostering social harmony. However, existing studies have largely focused on institutional frameworks or policy-driven interventions, leaving the lived experiences of imams as peacemakers underexplored, particularly from integrated theological and sociological perspectives. This study examines how mosque imams understand and enact their roles in mediating religious conflict within multi-religious urban communities. Employing an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the research draws on in-depth interviews and participatory observations with 20 mosque imams serving in diverse urban neighborhoods in Palu, Indonesia. The findings reveal three interrelated mediation strategies: peacebuilding as a theological obligation grounded in Islamic moral teachings; negotiated engagement with legal and interfaith institutions to manage conflicts involving public regulation; and dialogical practices aimed at building trust and addressing misunderstandings at the community level. The study demonstrates that imams function as theological and social peacemakers whose authority is shaped by both religious meaning and sociological legitimacy. By integrating these dimensions, the article contributes to African Studies and broader Global South scholarship by offering comparative insights into community-based religious peacebuilding. The findings highlight the continued relevance of religious leadership in managing diversity and sustaining everyday peace in plural urban societies.