Arshad Alam, who teaches at Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia, in his recent book 'Inside A Madrasa: Knowledge, Power and Islamic Identity in India' offers insight into the diversity of Indian Islam and attempts to dispel myths about madrasas.
He talks to Sunday Times about the ongoing Wahabi vs Sufi debate
What do you make of this debate?
Wahabism is used pejoratively in India and refers to Islamic revival movements such as the Deoband.
It's better to understand the current polemic as Barelwi vs Deobandi conflict. It is a contest of power within Indian Islam.
What is the background of this debate?
In India, the British first used the term Wahabi for Muslims who declared jihad against them.
The Deobandis were alleged to be Wahabis because they were against syncretic practices such as visiting the shrine. Defending some of these practices was Ahmad Riza Khan, who justified the importance of shrines and pirs.
The Barelwi identity crystallized around the writings of Khan.
Sunni Sufis claim Deobandis are trying to import petrodollar-Islam ...
The promotion 'petrodollar' Islam is part of the foreign policy of Saudi Arabia. Their funds have gone into building mosques and promoting Islamic education in many countries.
Muslim groups have tried to get a slice of this pie by positioning themselves close to Wahabism, which alienates them from their specific cultural location.
We can see attempts to "purge" Islam of Indian influences...
Islamic reform is primarily about 'purging' indigenous influences, taking Muslims away from the Indian cultural landscape towards an Arabian cultural model.
De-coupling Islam with its Indian environs has consequences for cultural pluralism.
The challenge is daunting as the project of Islamic reform is common to both Deobandis and Barelwis.
[Picture: *Inside a Madrasa: Knowledge, Power and Islamic Identity in India*
By Arshad Alam
Publisher: Routledge India; 1 edition (May 27, 2011)
Photo: Amazon.]
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