Arya Samaj treats interfaith dialogue like a spirited yet respectful chess match—each side brings its best pieces, but the ultimate goal is to uncover shared truths rather than score cheap points. Grounded in “Back to the Vedas,” the movement invites scholars of Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism to tabletop conversations where the Vedas are held up not as a club, but as a lens for revisiting universal principles: one formless divine reality, ethical living and social justice.

Rather than tiptoeing around differences, Arya Samaj practitioners break the ice with rigorous textual comparisons. At recent gatherings—such as the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago—Vedic hymns were juxtaposed with passages from the Qur’an or the Gospels, highlighting echoes of compassion, nonviolence and community service. When disagreements arise, participants are encouraged to peel back layers of ritual accretion and focus on the core messages they all cherish.

Religious conversion, to Arya Samaj, isn’t about poaching souls with flashy incentives. The movement’s famed Shuddhi campaigns—popular in early 20th-century North India—aimed at “purifying” those whose ancestors had drifted from Vedic traditions. Today, the emphasis has shifted toward voluntary reconnection: study circles, Sanskrit classes and yajñas that invite anyone curious about Vedic thought to come, see and choose for themselves. In states where anti-conversion laws have stirred political headlines, Arya Samaj volunteers often find themselves walking a tightrope—championing freedom of conscience without stepping on legal landmines.

On the social front, running schools and clinics remains a cornerstone. By collaborating with Christian NGOs or Muslim charities in disaster relief—think the recent flood-response efforts in Assam—Arya Samaj’s message becomes action, and interfaith dialogue moves from podium to field. At its heart, the movement insists that sincere seekers, regardless of their birth traditions, can find a home in Vedic wisdom—no hard sell, just an open door and a shared cup of tea.