The world cannot afford “religious illiteracy”, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.

Writing in the Washington Post, Mr Blair, who heads up the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes the role of faith in global affairs, said that faith was becoming an increasing force in the world.

He said: “No one today, aspiring to lead a country, company or civic organization should be without a developed understanding of religion and its role in our different societies.”

The issue in respect of religious faith was very simple and clear, he said “does it become a civilizing force that shapes globalization to advance human good; or does it become a countervailing force, dividing and alienating societies from each other?”

He suggested that faith could provide a source for values in an increasing globalised world. He acknowledged that faith was “not the only source of such values”.

“But faith can provide a certain equilibrium, reminding us of our responsibilities as well as our rights; our duties as well as our self-interest. It reminds us to ask this fundamental question: what is life for?” he said.

He also insisted on the right of faith to take its proper place “within the debates that interest and exercise our people and our societies”. Religious leaders, he said “should not try to dictate; but they should have the ability to speak, and to offer their view”.

At the same time, Mr Blair said that people of faith needed to respect the fact that in most countries there are a plurality of religious traditions. In such a scenario, one faith should not try to exercise control or claim greater privilege of citizenship over another, he said.