Holy Conversions, Cultural Losses: Religion and the Crisis of African Identity in Nigeria

Within the context of indigenous ethnographic studies, this article engages with the question of ethnic identity and socio-economic life of the Jetor(s), a hitherto unrecognized, semi-nomadic, riparian, forestine, endogamous group dwelling on the banks of Kangsabati and Subarnarekha in Jungle Mahal, West Bengal, India. It is evident from the study that the Jetors are subjected to the experiences of untouchability, regression, humiliation, discrimination, lack of rudimentary education, dispossession of land, entrapment in vicious cycle, etc. If these be the markers for being a ‘Dalit’, the Jetors more than qualify for the denomination. The study supports the view that after independence, many communities were recategorized as De-notified Tribes, and no less than seven censuses were conducted, but the Jetors have remained sidelined. Least ‘organized’, extremely deprived and averse to the denomination ‘Jetor/Jatord’ on account of social stigma, they are still living a socially hyphenated life and are facing excruciating problems of identity.

This article examines the concept of tolerance in Tariq Ramadan's thought as a solution to the identity crisis faced by contemporary Muslims, making Ramadan's tolerance the primary unit of analysis. This research aims to examine how the construction of tolerance offered by Ramadan—which is rooted in Islamic spirituality, dialogue ethics, and psychological awareness—can serve as a framework for restoring the Muslim identity amidst the dynamics of globalization, plurality, and modern cultural pressures. Utilizing library research methods with a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical approach, as well as content analysis, this study examines primary works by Ramadan, along with relevant secondary literature on tolerance, Muslim identity, and Islamic psychology. The study's findings reveal that Ramadan rejects the model of passive tolerance based on power relations and proposes an alternative model of active tolerance, grounded in tawhid, the recognition of God's will in diversity, and the integration of qalb, reason, and social ethics. An analysis of Islamic psychology reveals that tolerance within the framework of Ramadan has a spiritual dimension that can help overcome the crises of meaning, alienation, and identity polarization. The contribution of this research lies in presenting a conceptual model of tolerance with Islamic psychological nuances that can serve as the basis for strengthening Muslim identity, as well as the development of educational, counseling, and intergroup dialogue practices in multicultural societies.

The phenomenon of value disorientation and identity crisis among contemporary Muslims, marked by the growing influence of materialism and secularization, indicates a gap between religious knowledge and the comprehensive implementation of the Islamic Worldview. This study aims to analyse in depth the essential functions of the Islamic Worldview as a foundation of thought, a shaper of character, and a guide to action for Muslims amid contemporary challenges. The study employs a literature review (library research) method by examining and synthesizing relevant scholarly sources on the concept and role of the Islamic Worldview. The findings identify six main functions of the Islamic Worldview, namely: (1) foundation of creed (tauhid); (2) moral and ethical guidance; (3) determinant of life purpose (attaining sa‘adah); (4) filter against external influences, particularly secularism; (5) basis for social and scientific action; and (6) integration of the worldly and hereafter dimensions. Accordingly, the Islamic Worldview is not merely a theoretical construct, but a comprehensive belief system that is vital for shaping the holistic Muslim personality (Insan Kamil). Proper internalization of the Islamic Worldview serves as a firm foundation for safeguarding identity, orienting life goals, and reinforcing the consistency of Muslim behaviour, thereby offering a conceptual solution to the global value crisis.

In the contemporary context marked by accelerated digitalization and increasing frequency of identity crisis of children and adolescents, story reemerges as a powerful educational, symbolic, and therapeutic tool. “Dog Legends” is a transdisciplinary narrative project which reinterprets Campbell’s hero’s myth through a series of stories that combine archetypal symbolism, artificial intelligence, and innovative educational applications. Inspired by the 6 archetypes model proposed by Carol S. Pearson (“The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By”), these stories offer a frame for emotional and moral learning through some canine emblematic characters, Shiba- The Orphan, Rey- The Altruist, Ryo- The Warrior, and Algo the degu squirrel- The Innocent. These symbolic figures become mirrors for identity formation processes, offering children and educators a language through which they can explore vulnerability, courage, care, and meaning. By integrating contemporary narrative technologies- 3D Pixar style animations, avatars generated by AI (artificial intelligence), and interactive storytelling- “Dog Legends” series become an educational ecosystem that can be applied both in schools or therapeutic interventions or personal development. This paper proposes a cultural and pedagogical analysis of the way myth can have a new manifestation in the digital era, not as a relic of the past, but as a live instrument for cultivating empathy, critical thinking, and social cohesion. Thus, “Dog Legends” is shaping as a model integrated at the intersection of story, symbol, and technology.

This research explores how Durbanville congregation’s liturgical practices might reimagine “God’s new world” amidst these sociocultural constraints. Drawing on Christi van der Westhuizen’s work, the study critiques how these enclaves institutionalise prejudice under the guise of preserving familiar norms and orders, highlighting the identity crisis faced by White individuals in affirming racial exclusivity. It presents practices of change (an intervention) to address the limitations of whiteness. By fostering positive contact between racially diverse groups, these practices aim to reduce anxiety, increase empathy, and cultivate an inclusive and more integral ecclesiological imagination of the celebration of liturgy. The findings suggest that a set of contextual and intercultural practices can transform ecclesiological imagination into being more integral towards all dimensions of the basileia tou theou. Finally, the study presents some broader implications for reimagining liturgical practices in divided sociocultural contexts.

This article examines the psychological disintegration of Takashi, the central character in Kenzaburō Ōe’s The Silent Cry, through the lens of Freudian psychoanalysis. Drawing on Sigmund Freud’s structural theory of the psyche—particularly the dynamics of the id, ego, and superego—this study explores how identity crisis, generational trauma, and defense mechanisms shape Takashi’s internal conflict and destructive behavior. The analysis reveals that Takashi’s revolutionary actions are not driven by coherent political ideology, but by inherited shame, repressed grief, and the failure of ego mediation. His descent into violence and mania is interpreted as a symbolic enactment of psychological collapse, wherein inherited guilt and unresolved trauma override rationality and self-regulation. The superego, as portrayed in the novel, functions not only as a moral compass but as a punitive legacy passed through family and cultural memory. This study also highlights the interplay of defense mechanisms—such as projection, rationalization, denial, and sublimation—that ultimately fail to contain his psychic distress. By interpreting The Silent Cry as a narrative of personal and national trauma, this paper demonstrates how literature can serve as a site for exploring deep psychological wounds, especially those stemming from unspoken histories and familial burden.

Epigenetically programmed identity crisis to combat diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

This paper examines the symbolic role of Uncle Ganyu, the protagonist in Aleko Konstantinov’s Uncle Ganyu, as a representation of Bulgaria’s sociocultural struggles during its late 19th-century transition toward modernity. By analyzing the protagonist’s dual identity rooted in tradition yet exposed to European modernization, this study highlights how his traits of selfishness, conservatism, and superficial patriotism mirror broader societal tensions. Through close textual analysis, the paper explores Ganyu’s sporadic “awakening moments,” such as his reluctant admiration for foreign advancements and fleeting attempts to adopt civilized manners, which reveal a fragile consciousness of Bulgaria’s backwardness. These moments, however, remain incomplete due to entrenched ignorance and a lack of systemic education, reflecting the nation’s struggle to reconcile its Ottoman-era legacy with European modernity. Within postindependence Bulgaria, it was fragmented by territorial disputes and cultural dislocation. His interactions with educated narrators underscore the clash between rural traditionalism and urban intellectual aspirations. Konstantinov critiques not only Ganyu’s moral flaws but also a society hindered by superficial nationalism and materialistic values. The study argues that Ganyu transcends individuality; he embodies Bulgaria’s collective identity crisis, torn between preserving cultural heritage and embracing progressive ideals. Ultimately, the author posits education and ethical enlightenment as pivotal forces for national awakening, advocating for a cultural renewal that bridges tradition and modernity. By framing Ganyu’s incomplete transformation as a metaphor for Bulgaria’s stalled progress, the novel urges a reimagining of national identity through critical self-reflection and holistic education.

This Mitch Albom’s novel For One More Day explores Chick Benetto’s struggle with family trauma and identity crisis. This study aims to reveal how trauma, parental influence, and identity crises shape Chick’s psychological development via Lacanian psychoanalysis. Using qualitative textual analysis, we apply Lacan’s three orders – the Imaginary, Symbolic Order, and the Real – to trace Chick’s evolution. At the Mirror Stage, Chick forms an “Ideal-I” reflecting imagined wholeness. Disruptions in the Symbolic (a divorced father and broken home) shatter this ego, fueling Chick’s inferiority and identity crisis. Encountering the unsymbolizable Real (his father’s abuse, his mother’s loss) forces Chick to confront repressed trauma. Findings reveal how trauma and parental influence shape Chick’s narrative arc. We conclude that Lacanian analysis illuminates Chick’s journey from misrecognition to self-reconciliation, highlighting identity and resilience in the novel. Keywords: Jacques Lacan, Psychoanalysis, For One More Day, Chick Benetto

This article examines the evolution and transformation of the concept of alienation in contemporary digital society. The authors aim not only to analyse the concept’s historical genesis but also to identify its new semantic content in the light of the rapid development of digital technologies. The study begins with an overview of the history of philosophy, focusing on the ideas of G.W.F. Hegel and K. Marx as well as their approaches to understanding alienation as a socio-economic phenomenon. Particular emphasis is placed on Marx’ concepts, which are now assuming new forms due to digitalization. The study’s methodology combines historical-philosophical analysis of classical theories with a critical examination of contemporary technological realities. The authors emphasize that digitalization, while liberating individuals from routine tasks, simultaneously generates novel forms of alienation. Phenomena arising from digitalization transform consciousness by shifting the focus from the depth of thinking to the speed of content consumption. In addition, the article explores the contradictory nature of digital technologies, which serve both as tools for creative self-realization and mechanisms for social control. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to rethink traditional approaches to the phenomenon of alienation. The authors argue that in the digital age, key challenges include the virtualization of social relations, the loss of autonomy under algorithmic governance, and identity crisis. It is highlighted that the outcome of digital transformation depends not on the technologies themselves but on societal value orientations. The article contributes to the discourse on the social consequences of digitalization by offering an interdisciplinary perspective for analysing contemporary challenges.

The lived experiences of teenage fathers are often untapped because these fathers are not easily discoverable and observable. Related literatures frequently depict their lives as an attachment to teenage mothers and is repeatedly displayed in a negative light. Hence, this research delved deeper and examined teenage fathers who live with and raise their children. Using a phenomenological approach as a research method, this study explored the meanings and essences of their lives to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences. It also studied their identity crises and the transition to a complete understanding of themselves. This study followed the lives of five teenage fathers who impregnated their partners when they were fifteen to nineteen years old and chose to take responsibility with their child. As of the interview, these teenage fathers are eighteen to twenty-four years old. The findings revealed that the lived experiences of the selected teenage fathers transitioned from being teenagers to a version of fatherhood, where they believed in a concept of being a father that is solely focused on the life of their child and family. With the element of time and endless support of family and loved ones, they were able to adjust and embrace the identity of being a teenage father. It is an identity that knows how to prioritize and realize that being a teenager and a father at the same time is not the end, but a door that will allow them to know who they are as a person and extract these qualities for their own and their family's betterment. In conclusion, by uncovering the essences of their lived experiences, this research challenges prevailing narratives that are often limited to statistical data and instead emphasizes the importance of understanding their emotional, psychological, and relational journeys. In practice, these findings underscore the need for more inclusive and father-sensitive counseling programs, school-based interventions, and community support systems that recognize teenage fathers not as incongruities but as capable individuals undergoing complex identity formation. In addition, to dismantle stigma and foster environments where these young men can thrive both as individuals and as parents, it is recommended to encourage teen fathers to build a strong support system with their close family (partner, parents, and child) to develop good habits and discipline. Promote open discussions about family planning, including contraceptives and future goals. Emphasize the importance of personal growth, viewing fatherhood as a stepping stone to learning new skills and achieving both personal and family goals.

Nowadays, the mental health problems of adolescents have received widespread attention from society, among which the issue of adolescent identity crisis is particularly important. However, there is still a lack of research on the influencing factors of adolescent identity development. This article reviews existing literature and examines how family, social environment -- including internet influence and hedonistic trends -- and career expectations collectively shape self-identity. This article analyzes that family factors are significantly positively correlated with adolescent identity, and social factors also contribute to the development of psychological identity. The formation of self-identity can lay the foundation for future career identity. To foster healthy identity development, this study proposes the following suggestions: the development of adolescent identity requires families to have a better understanding and tolerance of their children, schools to increase the diversity and fun of the curriculum, media science popularization guidance, community assistance in publicity, and professional assistance and regulation from psychological workers.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has, over almost 35 years, developed into a model for effecting science-led governance for global environmental change. However, on the back of the sixth Assessment Report, and with preparations underway for the seventh, the IPCC arguably faces an identity crisis. With many inside and outside the IPCC perceiving a persistent disconnect between this immense scientific enterprise and meaningful political action, some argue the IPCC is failing to fulfil its social contract. At this important juncture, which could have implications for other spheres of global governance, a pilot study was conducted, interviewing IPCC authors about how they perceive the IPCC’s social contract has evolved according to the interplay of key elements that IPCC members draw on to define the organization’s identity and authority. Building on a long history of critical social science about the IPCC, this study found that authors discussed a weave of identity elements, which were categorized under three headings: (i) task identification and interpretation; (ii) mode of operation; and (iii) shifting key concerns. As scoping exercises ramp up for the seventh Assessment Report, IPCC leadership will need to be mindful of how groups inside and outside the IPCC are re-crafting the identity and authority of the organization.

Social media is often central to the construction of identity, interpersonal contact and community creation, particularly for the youth and digital natives. Social media provides the opportunity for the practice of social altruism and the exercise of empathy and support, but it also results in a ‘social identity crisis’ as a result of performative altruism, social identity manipulation and ‘self’ commoditisation. This article seeks to understand ‘social behaviour, altruism and social influence’ in the context of digital social work and the paradoxical social outcomes that these phenomena give rise to, especially social behaviour that is constructive and destructive in nature. This study seeks to demonstrate, from a sociological standpoint, how the online world can encourage populace social altruism through charity, hashtag activism and virtual support groups, but can also dangerously reduce altruism to performative self-presentation. Altruism is, in these cases, rarely issued. Persuasion, mostly through influencers and viral social media, provides a paradoxical instrument that influences social behaviour and attitudes for social promotion or social manipulation, in which both extremes of the continuum can be present.

The present study examines Elif Shafak’s The Gaze (2006) through the theoretical framework of Jacques Lacan's psychoanalytic theory, specifically his theories of the gaze and the construction of subjectivity. Shafak’s novel is a fragmented yet thematically unified set of narratives about characters who have warped self-perceptions, body-image insecurities, and an ambivalent urge to be gazed at or not gazed at by others. These conflicts are actually based on unconscious processes defined by social norms and internalized judgments. Based on Lacan’s theory of the mirror stage and the gaze, this research analyzes how the identity crises of the characters are caused by an essential disparity between their real and ideal selves. Particular emphasis is placed on the narrative and linguistic techniques used by Shafak to portray the psychological intensity of her characters, the critical consequences of invisibility and visibility that pervade the novel. By close reading, this article contends that the dissatisfactions and psychological fragmentation of the characters are the result of their effort to reconcile the internal and external perspectives. This account demonstrates a more extensive critique of gender, desire, and identity construction. Also, this research offers evidence of the continued worth of Lacanian theory in literary studies and the intricate psychological forces at play in Shafak’s writing.

This study conceptualizes the psychological challenges of adolescents who are emotionally disturbed as an identity crisis and examines the potential for recovery through the unique therapeutic qualities of music. Difficulties in emotion regulation, diminished self-efficacy, attachment deficits, and loss of meaning are interpreted not as isolated symptoms, but as manifestations of identity confusion within the broader context of self-understanding and relational worlds. These challenges are closely aligned with impairments in E. Ruud’s four health dimensions—vitality, agency, belonging, and meaning and coherence. Drawing on schema theory and the concept of sound-based therapy, this study theoretically analyzes how these health dimensions may be restored through music and illustrates the framework with session examples. Schema theory accounts for how the structural and symbolic properties of music function as organizing frameworks for emotions and self-narratives, while sound-based therapy highlights how the vibrational qualities of sound resonate with the body to reawaken emotions, memories, and the sense of self as an ontological mechanism of healing. Music, therefore, extends beyond emotional expression to provide an integrative experience of identity restoration—facilitating the recovery of emotional flow, strengthening self-efficacy, reestablishing relational connectedness, and reconstructing life narratives. By linking Ruud’s health dimensions with the unique therapeutic functions of music, this study underscores the value of a mechanism-based approach to designing music therapy interventions. The proposed theoretical framework and session illustrations invite empirical validation in clinical practice and call for expanded exploration of ecological models that integrate cultural meanings of music and the development of adolescents’ musical identities.

This research explore the internal and external conflict of the postcolonial subject with reference to mimicry, mockery, and identity crisis in Zain Saeed’s novel Little America. Through Homi K. Bhabha’s concept of mimicry, this study examines how the hero Sharif Barkati’s mimicry of Western ideologies (freedom, love, and modernity) calls into question and at the same time reinscribes the colonial power relations that guide the conduct of his life. Sharif’s aspiration to transplant an American ideal into Pakistan creates a crack identity, torn between two cultural specification of good. Little America, an utopian enclave that also subverts conservative Pakistani customs, serves as a zone of resistance and domination a reflection of the complicated terms of neocolonial influence. When Sharif dons Western idioms of expression and ways of life, his copying turns to spoofery, unmasking the thinness of veneers on copies and the copier. But far from setting him free, this act of simulation only draws him deeper into a chaos of social constraints, class differences and self-estrangement. This study will also explore the ways in which Rawles’ vision is crushed underneath cultural backlash and uncompleted selfhood. In this way, using the critical cultural and postcolonial perspective, the study will reveals a dual character of mimicry enhancing as well as disintegrating tool for postcolonial subjects. For today’s readers, the article encourages a sober rethinking of the form of identity construction at issue, the province of a cultural consumer, and the psychic expense of dwelling between pre-inheritances and borrowed modernity.

The rapid growth of social media in the digital era has created both opportunities and challenges for Generation Z, particularly regarding mental health and religious literacy. As active digital users, youth are vulnerable to identity crises, social pressure, and exposure to unverified religious content. This community service program aimed to strengthen religious literacy and promote creative da’wah skills among youth to foster positive engagement in digital spaces. The activity employed a participatory-based learning approach consisting of educational webinars, creative da’wah workshops, digital religious literacy training, mentoring, and content publication. The program involved 35 youth participants from school-based Islamic communities in Lampung. The results showed an improvement in participants’ understanding of digital religious literacy, creative content-making skills, and awareness of mental health through spiritual perspectives. The program also succeeded in forming a sustainable digital da’wah youth community and producing a replicable training module. These findings indicate that creative da’wah training effectively empowers Gen Z to become digital change agents capable of promoting healthy, religious, and inspiring social media ecosystems.

This study aims to examine the role of halaqoh tarbawiyah in shaping the self concept of adolescents at SMP Muhammadiyah 10 Surakarta, Indonesia. Adolescence is a critical phase in identity development, where cultivating a strong self concept is essential. Halaqoh tarbawiyah, a group-based Islamic educational approach, is expected to serve as a medium for nurturing Islamic character in adolescents. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach using a case study method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving students, teachers, and halaqoh tarbawiyah facilitators. The findings indicate that halaqoh tarbawiyah plays a significant role in developing adolescents’ self concept through three main aspects: the internalization of Islamic values, the enhancement of self-confidence, and the cultivation of social awareness. Moreover, the halaqoh serves as a safe and supportive space for adolescents to share experiences, participate in discussions, and explore their identities. Therefore, the implementation of halaqoh tarbawiyah in Islamic schools functions as a strategic instrument for strengthening Islamic identity and addressing identity crises during adolescence.