Islam in Pakistan: Ultra-Conservative Vs. Moderate Muslims
NPR recently shared the story of moderate Pakistani Muslims known as Barelvis who feel they are under attack from more hardline Deobandis Muslims. The Barelvis follow a form of Islam that incorporates folk traditions and mystical Sufi traditions, including praying to saints. The ultra-conservative Deobandis see such incorporation as un-Islamic. Read or listen to the full story here. NPR spoke to sociologist Mushtaq Gadi who noted that “Pakistan’s authorities lean towards the more clear-cut doctrine of Deobandi Islam in order to reinforce Pakistan’s national identity.” “The creation of Pakistan was on the basis of religion,” says Gadi. “So if the state…