Ziya Miral: global conflict and religion's role

Does religion shape violence or does violence shape religion?

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

a dirt barricade blocks a cross roads, behind which stands a roadside cross

A crossroads in Ukraine.

Jonny Gios on Unsplash.

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Is John Lennon right, would all wars cease if religion were to vanish? And, finally, what is the theology of conflict? These are topical, real-time, questions – all of which are explored in this episode of GodPod, with the help of Dr Ziya Meral.

Ziya is a lecturer in International Studies and Deplomacy at SOAS (School of African and Oriental Studies), researcher and advisor specialising in global conflict and the role of religion.

For Ziya’s book: How Violence Shapes Religion: Belief and Conflict in the Middle East and Africa : Meral, Ziya: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Podcast

GodPod

Podcasts

22 August 2025

1 min read

Visionaries: why Julian of Norwich still resonates today

Clair Gilbert and the GodPod hosts on the profound medieval mystic

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

A statue of a Medieval women wearing a headscarf, and holding a book inscribed: revelation of divine love.o

Julian of Norwich, sculpted by David Holgate, Norwich Cathedral.

Poliphilo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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In this episode of GodPod’s Visionaries series, we delve into the profound teachings of Julian of Norwich, as explored through the lens of Dr Claire Gilbert's novel I, Julian.

We uncover the spiritual insights of this medieval mystic, whose visions and writings continue to resonate in today's world. Discover how Julian's reflections on divine love, suffering, and the promise that "all shall be well" offer timeless wisdom and hope.

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