Introduction and Motivation of the Book

This chapter delves into the convergence of religious and indigenous populations in Malaysia and Bangladesh, with a specific focus on the topic of conversion and its consequences. This study aims to acknowledge indigenous communities as individuals rather than as statistical groups. The chapter uses a phenomenological approach to explore the specific situations in Malaysia and Bangladesh, revealing the perspectives of indigenous groups in these environments. The Orang Asli of Malaysia and the Santals of Bangladesh are important ethnographic subjects that provide insights into the intricacies of conversion and its outcomes. The chapter reveals the dual nature resulting from conversion by analyzing its impact on social structures, institutions, language, cultural heritage, and indigenous wisdom through oral histories, interviews, and observations. This work delves into the cultural competence, ethical issues, and diversity of religious conversion in social work. The book intends to contribute to an inclusive paradigm for societal concord by recovering collective memory, rewriting lost history, and re-righting heritage.