Da´wat-e Islami – a Da´wat-e Islami – a transnational movement for transnational movement for

spiritual renewalspiritual renewal

Presentation for Werkstatt Nahost, Presentation for Werkstatt Nahost, Graduate School of Politics, Graduate School of Politics,

Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität Münster,Münster,

Kleinwalsertal, 13.-20. Sept. 2008.Kleinwalsertal, 13.-20. Sept. 2008.

© © Thomas K. Gugler, 13. Sept. 2008Thomas K. Gugler, 13. Sept. 2008

The transnational Islamic Missionary Movement Dawat-The transnational Islamic Missionary Movement Dawat-e Islami was founded 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan. e Islami was founded 1981 in Karachi, Pakistan.

The headquarters is called Faizan-e Madina.The headquarters is called Faizan-e Madina.

Its leader (amir) is Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri ´Attar (b. 1950). Its leader (amir) is Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri ´Attar (b. 1950). His most important publication is the Faizan-e Sunnat (Urdu: blessings His most important publication is the Faizan-e Sunnat (Urdu: blessings

of the lifestyle of the Prophet). The publishing house of Dawat-e of the lifestyle of the Prophet). The publishing house of Dawat-e Islami is called Maktaba-tul-Madina. It distributes over 200 Islami is called Maktaba-tul-Madina. It distributes over 200

publications by „Amir-e Ahl-e Sunnat“.publications by „Amir-e Ahl-e Sunnat“.

Attars´ Faizan-e Sunnat (1992) is Attars´ Faizan-e Sunnat (1992) is the Barelwi response to Faza´il-e Athe Barelwi response to Faza´il-e A´mal (1985), formerly Tablighi ´mal (1985), formerly Tablighi Nishab (1955) by Zakariya Nishab (1955) by Zakariya Khandalawi and inspired the Khandalawi and inspired the Barelwi books Faizan-e Shari´at Barelwi books Faizan-e Shari´at [Sunni Da´wat-e Islami ka maqbul-e [Sunni Da´wat-e Islami ka maqbul-e ´ilm-e Tablighi Nishab] (1999) by ´ilm-e Tablighi Nishab] (1999) by Ibrahim Ashi and Barakat-e Shari´at Ibrahim Ashi and Barakat-e Shari´at by Shakir ´Ali Nuri (2005).by Shakir ´Ali Nuri (2005).The Islamic project is the The Islamic project is the Sunnaization, the reshaping and Sunnaization, the reshaping and reconstruction of the daily routine reconstruction of the daily routine and individual markers of identity and individual markers of identity based on the example of the based on the example of the Prophet and the Salaf. This Prophet and the Salaf. This apolitical Sunnaization is the apolitical Sunnaization is the individualization of political re-individualization of political re-Islamization, focusing the private Islamization, focusing the private sphere instead of the state and sphere instead of the state and argueing with ahadith rather than argueing with ahadith rather than Qur´an.Qur´an.

Nonpolitical Neo-fundamentalisms Nonpolitical Neo-fundamentalisms emerge when political Re-Islamizations emerge when political Re-Islamizations failed. One of the founding figures of failed. One of the founding figures of Dawat-e Islami is Shah Ahmad Nurani Dawat-e Islami is Shah Ahmad Nurani (1926-2003), founder of the JUP (Jam(1926-2003), founder of the JUP (Jam´iyat-e ´Ulama´-ye Pakistan), the ´iyat-e ´Ulama´-ye Pakistan), the political party associated with Barelwi political party associated with Barelwi ideas. He gave the slogan „Tahrik ideas. He gave the slogan „Tahrik Nizam-e Mustafa“ (Movement for the Nizam-e Mustafa“ (Movement for the establishment for Muhammad´s law) for establishment for Muhammad´s law) for the election campaign 1977. Protests the election campaign 1977. Protests against the election results resulted in against the election results resulted in martial law. Ilyas Attar was the then martial law. Ilyas Attar was the then Punjab president of JUP´s youth wing Punjab president of JUP´s youth wing Anjuman Tulaba-ye Islam. The Anjuman Tulaba-ye Islam. The Islamization and establishment of shariIslamization and establishment of shari´ah benches under Zia ul-Haq (1977-´ah benches under Zia ul-Haq (1977-1988) in the name of Nizam-e Mustafa 1988) in the name of Nizam-e Mustafa favoured Deobandis and discriminated favoured Deobandis and discriminated Barelwis. Tablighis were now allowed to Barelwis. Tablighis were now allowed to freely operate within the army. Zia ul-freely operate within the army. Zia ul-Haq was the first politician and the first Haq was the first politician and the first army chief to visit the annual ijtema´ of army chief to visit the annual ijtema´ of Tablighi Jamaat in Raiwind. Shah Ahmad Tablighi Jamaat in Raiwind. Shah Ahmad Nurani joined the PPP in its resistance to Nurani joined the PPP in its resistance to the military government.the military government.

Nizam-e Mustafa –

Order of the Prophet

The central activities The central activities of Dawat-e Islami of Dawat-e Islami

resemble the resemble the missionary efforts missionary efforts

also made by also made by followers of Tablighi followers of Tablighi Jama´at. Khuruj-fi-Jama´at. Khuruj-fi-sabil-Allah is called sabil-Allah is called

Madani qafila Madani qafila (caravan of Madinah) (caravan of Madinah) and every follower is and every follower is requested to register requested to register

for a 3–day for a 3–day missionary journey missionary journey once a month, a 30-once a month, a 30-day tour once a year, day tour once a year, and a 12-month tour and a 12-month tour

once in a lifetime. once in a lifetime. (Here: Multan, (Here: Multan,

Pakistan)Pakistan)

Muslims are invited Muslims are invited to register for to register for

voluntary voluntary missionary tours missionary tours (madani qafila) at (madani qafila) at the Madani Qafilah the Madani Qafilah

Maktab (Here: Maktab (Here: Faizan-e Madinah in Faizan-e Madinah in

Bradford, UK) to Bradford, UK) to learn the Sunnas learn the Sunnas

and foster the love and foster the love for the Prophet. for the Prophet.

Invitation to Invitation to register is given for register is given for example after the example after the weekly ijtema´, weekly ijtema´,

congregation, on congregation, on Thursday nights.Thursday nights.

The weekly The weekly congregation, congregation, ijtema´, takes ijtema´, takes usually part on usually part on

Thursday nights. Thursday nights. The program The program

includes reciting includes reciting na´t (poetry na´t (poetry praising the praising the

Prophet), dars (a Prophet), dars (a lecture read from lecture read from a book by Ilyas a book by Ilyas ´Attar), bayan ´Attar), bayan

(lecture held by (lecture held by an Islamic an Islamic

scholar), a loud scholar), a loud and collective and collective

zikr-session, and zikr-session, and du´a´ du´a´

(invocations).(invocations).(Here: ijtema´ in (Here: ijtema´ in

Bengaluru, India).Bengaluru, India).

As Tablighi Jama´at, Da´wat-e Islami celebrates huge As Tablighi Jama´at, Da´wat-e Islami celebrates huge annual ijtema´s. In India a former part of Da´wat-e annual ijtema´s. In India a former part of Da´wat-e Islami split off to form the international movement Islami split off to form the international movement Sunni Da´wat-e Islami, which organizes the annual Sunni Da´wat-e Islami, which organizes the annual

Sunni ijtema´ in Mumbai.Sunni ijtema´ in Mumbai.

The annual ijtema´s of these three movements The annual ijtema´s of these three movements last three days. The program is mostly made last three days. The program is mostly made up of speeches, which are given till late in the up of speeches, which are given till late in the night. Here the last night of the Sunni ijtema´ night. Here the last night of the Sunni ijtema´ in Mumbai, attracting around 250,000 Muslim in Mumbai, attracting around 250,000 Muslim

men. men.

The main annual The main annual ijtema´ of Daijtema´ of Da

´wat-e Islami is ´wat-e Islami is held in Multan. In held in Multan. In

2006 around 2006 around 1,500,000 Muslim 1,500,000 Muslim men congregated men congregated

for this Islamic for this Islamic mega-event. mega-event. Among the Among the

famous famous participants were participants were

two cricket two cricket players of the players of the

Pakistani National Pakistani National Team, Faisal Iqbal Team, Faisal Iqbal and Imran Farhat.and Imran Farhat.

As New Religious As New Religious Movements stress politics Movements stress politics of visibility, followers can of visibility, followers can easily be recognised by easily be recognised by symbols of piety (e.g. symbols of piety (e.g. beards, miswak) and a beards, miswak) and a uniform dresscode: sisters uniform dresscode: sisters wear the Madani burqa wear the Madani burqa and brothers a white and brothers a white shalwar-qamiz, a green shalwar-qamiz, a green turban (imama), a brown turban (imama), a brown Madani cadar and a green Madani cadar and a green beard-comb. These beard-comb. These Symbols of the Super-Symbols of the Super-Muslim shall mark the da´i Muslim shall mark the da´i as ideal Muslim and as as ideal Muslim and as role-model for the role-model for the ordinary Muslim. (Here: ordinary Muslim. (Here: Neighborhood of Dawat-e Neighborhood of Dawat-e Islami in Karachi).Islami in Karachi).

The movement was The movement was founded to oppose founded to oppose growing impact of growing impact of Tablighi Jama´at, Tablighi Jama´at, the 1927 founded the 1927 founded Missionary Missionary Movement Movement associated with the associated with the purist seminary in purist seminary in Deoband (f. 1867). Deoband (f. 1867). As Barelwi As Barelwi movement (Ahl-e movement (Ahl-e Sunnat wa´l JamaSunnat wa´l Jama´at) Da´wat-e ´at) Da´wat-e Islami organizes Islami organizes huge ´id-e Milad-huge ´id-e Milad-an-Nabi festivals. an-Nabi festivals. Here the Here the preparation for the preparation for the celebration in celebration in Ahmedabad, India.Ahmedabad, India.

Another distinct Barelwi-activity is the organization of Another distinct Barelwi-activity is the organization of annual ´urs-festivals to commemorate Imam Ahmad annual ´urs-festivals to commemorate Imam Ahmad Riza Khan Barelwi (1856-1921). The all night program Riza Khan Barelwi (1856-1921). The all night program

includes speeches in praise of Ahmad Riza Khan and naincludes speeches in praise of Ahmad Riza Khan and na´t. (Here: Ahmedabad, 2008).´t. (Here: Ahmedabad, 2008).

For Sufis the love For Sufis the love for the Prophet for the Prophet Muhammad and Muhammad and

the ideal the ideal environment of environment of

Madinah is central. Madinah is central. This love is This love is

expressed in expressed in poetry praising poetry praising

Muhammad Muhammad Mustafa. This na´t Mustafa. This na´t is a central part in is a central part in the congregations the congregations of Da´wat-e Islami. of Da´wat-e Islami. Here: a da´i doing Here: a da´i doing

na´t in sign-na´t in sign-language for the language for the deaf brothers at deaf brothers at

the annual ijtema´ the annual ijtema´ in Multan (this sign in Multan (this sign

stands for stands for Madinah).Madinah).

Followers are requested Followers are requested to engage every evening to engage every evening

in a ritual called Fiqr-e in a ritual called Fiqr-e Madina, i.e. the Madina, i.e. the

visualization of the Day visualization of the Day of Judgement and honest of Judgement and honest

repentance of sins. repentance of sins. Crying for the Prophet to Crying for the Prophet to

save one from of hell-save one from of hell-tortures, the follower tortures, the follower

shall swear the slogan of shall swear the slogan of Dawat-e Islami: mujhe Dawat-e Islami: mujhe apni aur zari dunya ke apni aur zari dunya ke

logon ki islah ki koshish logon ki islah ki koshish karni hai (I have to karni hai (I have to

rectify myself and all the rectify myself and all the people of the world).people of the world).

Dawat-e Islami has an edge over Tablighi Dawat-e Islami has an edge over Tablighi Jamaat as it runs its own chain of madrassahs. Jamaat as it runs its own chain of madrassahs.

The Madrassa-tul-Madina chain runs over a The Madrassa-tul-Madina chain runs over a thousand madrassahs in Pakistan. Here: thousand madrassahs in Pakistan. Here: Madrassa-tul-Madina in Mumbai, India.Madrassa-tul-Madina in Mumbai, India.

Dawat-e Islami is Dawat-e Islami is estimated to have estimated to have around ten million around ten million

followers in about 60 followers in about 60 countries. The countries. The

movement is widely movement is widely known in Pakistan, the known in Pakistan, the Gulf states and South Gulf states and South

Africa. In Europe it runs Africa. In Europe it runs five marakaz in Greece, five marakaz in Greece,

three in Spain, and three in Spain, and three in the UK. The three in the UK. The

Indian off-spring Sunni Indian off-spring Sunni Dawat-e Islami runs Dawat-e Islami runs

two centres in Preston two centres in Preston (here: Noor Masjid (here: Noor Masjid

gave name to a street) gave name to a street) and Blackburn, UK.and Blackburn, UK.

Transnational Sufism and Spirituality

Since 2000 Da´wat-e Islami runs own centres (marakaz) in Europe. Since 2000 Da´wat-e Islami runs own centres (marakaz) in Europe. The European headquarters is since 2006 the Faizan-e Madina in The European headquarters is since 2006 the Faizan-e Madina in

Accrington, UK, based in the building of a former church.Accrington, UK, based in the building of a former church.

The Faizan-e Madina is a markaz, meaning mosque and The Faizan-e Madina is a markaz, meaning mosque and madrassah. As Da´wat-e Islami attracts a lot of Youngsters, madrassah. As Da´wat-e Islami attracts a lot of Youngsters, their madrassah-chain „Madrassah-tul-Madina“ focuses on their madrassah-chain „Madrassah-tul-Madina“ focuses on children, in the UK mainly 2nd generation migrants. Here: children, in the UK mainly 2nd generation migrants. Here:

Accrington.Accrington.

The Faizan-e The Faizan-e Madinah in Bradford Madinah in Bradford was the first Faizan-was the first Faizan-

e Madinah in e Madinah in Europe. Madani Europe. Madani

work began in the work began in the buildings of the buildings of the World Islamic World Islamic

Mission in Bradford, Mission in Bradford, which was which was

established 1972 by established 1972 by Arshad ul-Qadri Arshad ul-Qadri (1925-2002) and (1925-2002) and

Shah Ahmed Shah Ahmed Nurani.Nurani.

Faizan-e Madinah in Birmingham is called Faizan-e Madinah in Birmingham is called Maktaba-tul-Madina as the book shop faces the Maktaba-tul-Madina as the book shop faces the

street.street.

The ijtema´ in Birmingham attracts The ijtema´ in Birmingham attracts mostly Youngsters. Some of them sleep mostly Youngsters. Some of them sleep

in the mosque over night.in the mosque over night.

OPENOPEN

The Faizan-e Madina in Barcelona opened The Faizan-e Madina in Barcelona opened on the occasion of ´id-e Milad-an-Nabi in on the occasion of ´id-e Milad-an-Nabi in April 2007 as the first markaz of Dawat-e April 2007 as the first markaz of Dawat-e

Islami in continental Europe.Islami in continental Europe.

The administrative head-office is the Faizan-e Madinah in The administrative head-office is the Faizan-e Madinah in Accrington, not the Faizan-e Madinah in Karachi, which means Accrington, not the Faizan-e Madinah in Karachi, which means

that book have to be ordered in GBP and not in PKR.that book have to be ordered in GBP and not in PKR.