This article compares and contrasts three groups of faith-based development organizations (FBDOs). The fi rst group consists of community-based FBDOs. The second are intermediaries acting as a bridge between larger donors and community organizations. Last, there are missionary organizations that work with local communities but see development primarily as religious conversion. This comparison allows clarifi cation over what constitutes an FBDO and also highlights the variety of ways in which faith intersects with development in the work of different FBDOs. The use of two analytical frames assessing the faith of organizations along a continuum and then measuring the position of FBDOs within an aid chain, emphasizes the need to acknowledge the diversity of factors that both limit and contribute to the success of an FBDO.

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This article explores the relationship between the Christian concept of compassion and the work of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Developing World. The article focuses on the work of a UK donor, NGO whose members express a Christian faith. The membership of this NGO is highly motivated and they have maintained a long-term commitment to the communities they help in rural Rajasthan. However, the success of this NGO is constrained by their construction of a poor underdeveloped Other who is the focus of their prayers and towards whom all interventions are directed. This image of the suffering Rajasthani villager is fictitious and blocks the emergence of a complex picture of life in this region. This article stresses that whilst faith has much to offer development practice it can also render people blind to the experiences and needs of others.

This paper explores the hypothesis that Islamic religious values and beliefs are antithetical to women's education in two cities in Pakistan: Lahore, generally believed to be a socially liberal city, and Peshawar, often regarded as the bastion of conservative values and norms. Leaders and members of selected religious organisations, and some members of women's rights and development organisations, were interviewed to ascertain their views. While there is universal support for girls' education, views on the purpose, content, and mode of delivery differ between men and women and also depend on respondents' position on the liberal/conservative spectrum. Some of the policy implications of the findings are discussed. Valeurs et croyances religieuses et éducation des femmes au PakistanCet article traite de l'hypothèse selon laquelle les valeurs et les croyances religieuses islamiques sont antithétiques à l'éducation des femmes dans deux villes du Pakistan : Lahore, considérée généralement comme une ville libérale sur le plan social, et Peshawar, souvent considérée comme un bastion de valeurs et de normes conservatrices. Les leaders et les membres d'organisations religieuses sélectionnées, et certains membres d'organisations de développement et de défense des droits de la femme, ont été interrogés pour qu'ils fassent part de leurs points de vue. Bien que le soutien en faveur de l'éducation des filles soit universel, les points de vue concernant la finalité, le contenu et le mode de mise en oeuvre diffèrent entre les hommes et les femmes et dépendent par ailleurs de la position des interlocuteurs sur l'éventail libéral-conservateur. Certaines des implications des résultats sur les politiques publiques font l'objet d'une discussion. Valores e crenças religiosos e educação para as mulheres no PaquistãoEste artigo examina a hipótese de que os valores e crenças religiosos islâmicos são contrá-rios à educação das mulheres em duas cidades do Paquistão: Lahore, conhecida em geral como sendo uma cidade socialmente liberal, e Peshawar, normalmente vista como o bastião dos valores e normas conservadores. Líderes e membros de organizações religiosas selecionadas, e alguns membros de organizações de direitos das mulheres e de desenvolvimento, foram entrevistados para confirmar suas visões. Embora haja apoio universal para a educação de meninas, as visões sobre o propósito, conteúdo e modo de implementação diferem entre homens e mulheres e também dependem da posição dos entrevistados no espectro liberal/conservador. Algumas das implicações da política dos resultados são discutidas.Fe y valores religiosos en la educación de mujeres en Pakistán Este ensayo examina la hipótesis de que la fe y los valores religiosos islámicos son incompatibles con la educación que se imparte a las mujeres en dos ciudades de Pakistán: en Lahore, considerada por lo general una ciudad socialmente progresista, y en Peshawar, conocida como el bastión de normas y valores conservadores. Se entrevistó a líderes y a integrantes de organizaciones religiosas y de o...

This article explores the positive contribution a focus on physical religious spaces makes to development practice. By taking an ethnographic approach in studying religious spaces it is possible for practitioners of development to understand the values and beliefs of adherents, which can help them forge closer, more empathetic relationships with local people. This approach is particularly useful in listening to the experiences of marginalized groups whose views are more quietly voiced. An example is given of a group of Hindu women who shared stories of domestic violence within a ritual space they created for this purpose. A faith-based development organization offered the women a secure environment to perform this ritual. This same faith-based development organization used religious spaces in their daily practice as sites for communication with local communities and personal reflection.Ritual, Hinduism, Women, Rajasthan, Development, Empowerment,