ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book seeks to ascertain whether there is a global trend of conflicts accursed by deadly violence when sacred spaces—temples, churches, mosques, and synagogues—and people of the cloth—monks, priests, ministers, imams, or nuns—become targets and once these take place, conflicts that are already dangerous turn even deadlier. It explores a specific dimension of the politics of religious identity, namely, the attacks and policies toward holy sites in Israel–Palestine. The book discusses the fate of Indian Islamic monuments after India gained freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. It argues that the indigenous understanding of sacred sites represents a crucial dimension to Australia's relationship with the sacred space, because it provides a more profound sense of the sacred that could touch many who would not consider themselves religious.
