A bridge symbolizes unity and shared national identity.

Bridging Divides: Can National Pride Overcome Religious Intolerance?

Nico Varela in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring how highlighting shared national identity can foster tolerance, even in deeply divided societies."

In a world increasingly fractured by religious and ethnic conflict, the search for common ground is more critical than ever. While differences often dominate headlines, shared identities and collective achievements can act as powerful unifying forces. But can these forces truly overcome deeply entrenched prejudices?

A compelling study from Pakistan offers a glimmer of hope, investigating whether emphasizing a shared national identity can foster greater tolerance towards marginalized religious groups. Specifically, the research explores whether highlighting the contributions of a persecuted minority – the Ahmadi community – can lead to increased acceptance, even when their place in the nation is disputed.

The study delves into the complexities of national identity, religious tolerance, and group conflict in a region where these issues are deeply intertwined. By examining the impact of a simple yet powerful intervention – reminding citizens of a shared national achievement – the research provides valuable insights into the potential for building bridges across divides.

National Pride: A Tool for Tolerance?

A bridge symbolizes unity and shared national identity.

The research draws upon social identity theory, which suggests that individuals tend to categorize themselves into in-groups and out-groups. This categorization can lead to prejudice and discrimination against those perceived as different. However, the theory also posits that emphasizing a superordinate identity – a shared identity that transcends group differences – can reduce prejudice and foster greater cooperation.

Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in various contexts. Priming a shared national identity has been shown to reduce intergroup bias, increase support for policies that benefit minority groups, and decrease perceptions of intergroup threat. Nation-building initiatives that stress shared history and values have also been found to improve collective action in diverse societies.

The Pakistani study builds on this existing body of knowledge by investigating whether providing individuals with factual information about a religious minority group's contribution to the nation can increase tolerance. The study focuses on:

The Ahmadi community, a minority sect that faces widespread discrimination in Pakistan.
Highlighting the achievement of Mohammad Abdus Salam, an Ahmadi physicist who won Pakistan's first Nobel Prize.
Measuring the impact of this information on attitudes towards Ahmadis and support for policies that promote their inclusion.

Researchers conducted a survey experiment in two regions of Pakistan, randomly exposing participants to information about Abdus Salam's Nobel Prize. The results revealed that, overall, respondents who received this information expressed more tolerant views towards Ahmadis. However, this effect was not uniform across all groups.

Implications for Building a More Inclusive Society

The Pakistani study offers valuable lessons for fostering greater tolerance and inclusion in diverse societies. By highlighting shared achievements and promoting a sense of national pride, it may be possible to bridge divides and create a more welcoming environment for marginalized groups. However, it is crucial to recognize that these efforts must be tailored to the specific context and address the underlying concerns of different communities. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of such interventions and to identify the most effective strategies for promoting social cohesion.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/0738894217724568, Alternate LINK

Title: National Identity, Religious Tolerance, And Group Conflict: Insights From A Survey Experiment In Pakistan

Subject: Political Science and International Relations

Journal: Conflict Management and Peace Science

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Michael Kalin, Niloufer Siddiqui

Published: 2017-09-05

Everything You Need To Know

In deeply divided societies, can emphasizing a shared national identity really lead to greater religious tolerance? What specific approach did the study in Pakistan take to explore this?

The study in Pakistan explored whether emphasizing a shared national identity could foster greater tolerance towards marginalized religious groups. Specifically, it investigated if highlighting the contributions of the Ahmadi community, a persecuted minority, could lead to increased acceptance, even though their place in the nation is disputed. This aimed to understand if shared national achievements could act as unifying forces, overcoming deeply entrenched prejudices.

How does social identity theory explain the potential for national pride to overcome religious intolerance, and what previous research supports this idea?

The research used social identity theory, which explains that people categorize themselves into in-groups and out-groups, leading to potential prejudice. However, social identity theory also suggests that emphasizing a superordinate identity – a shared identity transcending group differences – can reduce prejudice and foster cooperation. The study built on previous findings that priming a shared national identity can reduce intergroup bias and increase support for minority-inclusive policies.

What were the main findings of the Pakistani study regarding tolerance towards the Ahmadi community after highlighting Mohammad Abdus Salam's Nobel Prize achievement, and what nuances were observed in the results?

The study revealed that respondents who received information about Abdus Salam, the Ahmadi physicist and Nobel laureate, generally expressed more tolerant views towards the Ahmadi community. However, this effect varied across different groups. A key element not mentioned is what the control group(s) were, and if any alternative messaging was tested.

What are the broader implications of the Pakistani study for building a more inclusive society, and what considerations are crucial for implementing similar strategies in different contexts?

Highlighting shared national achievements and promoting national pride can potentially bridge divides and foster a more welcoming environment for marginalized groups, as suggested by the Pakistani study. However, the effectiveness of such efforts depends heavily on tailoring them to the specific context and addressing the underlying concerns of diverse communities. The study calls for more research into the long-term impact of such interventions and the best strategies for promoting social cohesion.

What specific minority group and achievement was the focus of the tolerance study conducted in Pakistan, and why is this context particularly relevant?

The study focused on the Ahmadi community in Pakistan and the impact of highlighting Mohammad Abdus Salam's Nobel Prize on attitudes towards this group. It measured whether providing factual information about this minority's contribution to the nation increased tolerance and support for their inclusion. The setting, being Pakistan, is critical due to the specific history and social dynamics present.