In 2004 the Dar ul-’Ulum at Deoband, India’s largest Islamic seminary, issued a fatwa declaring watching television, including Islamic channels, impermissible. Issued by Mufti Mahmud ul-Hasan... Show moreIn 2004 the Dar ul-’Ulum at Deoband, India’s largest Islamic seminary, issued a fatwa declaring watching television, including Islamic channels, impermissible. Issued by Mufti Mahmud ul-Hasan Bulandshahri, a senior scholar at the Deoband madrasa, the fatwa declares that television is forbidden to Muslims because it was principally “a means for [frivolous] entertainment.” Sikand explores the debate about television and islam that was caused by this fatwa.1 Show less
During the last week of May this year ISIM, in collaboration with Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO), Berlin, organized a two-day workshop on the theme The Asian Madrasa: Transnational Linkages and Real... Show moreDuring the last week of May this year ISIM, in collaboration with Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO), Berlin, organized a two-day workshop on the theme The Asian Madrasa: Transnational Linkages and Real or Alleged Political Role. The nine papers that were presented at the workshop looked at madrasas in different Asian countries in the context of the ongoing debate on “terrorism.” Show less
The Tablighi Jama'at (TJ) is the largest Islamic movement in the world today. Its founder, Muhammad Ilyas, believed that Muslims had strayed far from the teachings of Islam. Hence, he stressed that... Show moreThe Tablighi Jama'at (TJ) is the largest Islamic movement in the world today. Its founder, Muhammad Ilyas, believed that Muslims had strayed far from the teachings of Islam. Hence, he stressed that Muslims should go back to their faith, which alone, he argued, would move God to grant them 'success' in this world and in the hereafter. Ilyas's political views have been the subject of considerable debate. Most writers on the TJ tend to see it as 'apolitical', taking its aloofness from involvement in party politics as proof of this. TJ activists also insist that they have nothing to do with politics. While some scholars have questioned their claim to being apolitical, no detailed analysis of what Masud calls the TJ's 'political vision' has as yet been undertaken. Show less
One of the leading Islamist groups active in Pakistan and Kashmir today is the Lashkar-i-Tayyeba, or 'The Army of the Pure'. Founded in 1993 and banned in early 2002, the Lashkar comprises largely... Show moreOne of the leading Islamist groups active in Pakistan and Kashmir today is the Lashkar-i-Tayyeba, or 'The Army of the Pure'. Founded in 1993 and banned in early 2002, the Lashkar comprises largely Pakistani militants who had immersed themselves in the jihad in Afghanistan. After the expulsion of the Soviets, these mujahids turned their attention to fresh pastures, Kashmir being one of them. The Lashkar's ideology bears close resemblance to that of the Al-Qacida and preaches a large-scale jihad against the 'enemies of Islam' in order to establish a unified Islamic state. Show less
Early in the year 2000, a series of bombs went off at twelve places of worship, mostly churches, in different towns in South India. Police officials claimed to have discovered evidence that a... Show moreEarly in the year 2000, a series of bombs went off at twelve places of worship, mostly churches, in different towns in South India. Police officials claimed to have discovered evidence that a hitherto littleknown Muslim group, the Deendar Anjuman, was involved in masterminding the blasts. Leaders of the Deendar Anjuman based at the group's headquarters in Hyderabad strongly denied the allegations, claiming that the Anjuman was actually set up for the purpose of promoting peaceful relations between people of different faiths. Show less
The more than a decade-old civil war in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, which till today shows no sign of abating, has resulted in the death of an estimated 40,000 people. Inter-community... Show moreThe more than a decade-old civil war in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, which till today shows no sign of abating, has resulted in the death of an estimated 40,000 people. Inter-community relations, which have historically been relatively cordial as compared to the rest of South Asia, have sharply deteriorated, and today a gulf of hostility and suspicion separates Hindus and Muslims. However, despite this hardening of communal boundaries, at the popular level many Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus in the Jammu province continue to share a common religious culture, centred round the shrines (dargahs) of Sufi saints. Show less
