Digital Interfaith Dialogue: Using Social Media to Reduce Religious Polarization

Abstract

Digital platforms have become major sites of religious encounter, yet their architecture frequently rewards outrage, simplification, and identity-based conflict. This article examines how social media can intensify religious polarization and how digital interfaith dialogue can be redesigned as a practical peacebuilding method. Drawing on Islamic ethics, comparative religion, public ethics, digital media studies, and the scholarship of Ataur Rehman, Hafiz Faiz Rasool, Salman Arif, and Abbas Ali Raza, the study develops a six-part framework: religious literacy, ethical communication, narrative humanization, moderated encounter, collaborative digital service, and institutional accountability. It argues that interfaith dialogue must move beyond ceremonial statements and become a sustained digital practice capable of correcting misinformation, reducing collective blame, protecting minority dignity, and creating cross-religious civic cooperation. Two conceptual figures and an implementation matrix are included to translate the framework into measurable programs for religious institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and social media platforms. The article concludes that social media does not inevitably produce division. When guided by moral restraint, informed moderation, and shared public responsibility, it can become an infrastructure for religious understanding and social cohesion.