1. A close look at political Islam, particularly the Deobandi stream, is critical to decoding the internal dynamics of the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. This insightful analysis delves deep into the evolution of a significant branch of Islam that has shaped events across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and impacted religion, geopolitics, and contemporary Pakistan. It is a compelling read for anyone seeking to grasp South Asia's intricate intersections of faith and politics.
Ambassador Ajay Bisaria (High Commissioner of India to Pakistan- 2017-2020)
Author Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship Between India and Pakistan (2024)
2. From the halls of the Islamic Seminary in Deoband to the countries of South Asia, Diverse Narratives and Shared Beliefs traces the journey of Deobandi Islam across the centuries and through periods of enormous geopolitical change. Soumya Awasthi effectively challenges monolithic portrayals of Deoband, masterfully describing the movements internal diversity and its frequent entanglement with nationalism, statecraft, and international conflicts. At a time when religion plays an ever-growing role in many parts of the world, Diverse Narratives provides a timely, critical examination of Deobandi Islams thought, shedding light on its ideological shifts, its influence on security dynamics, and its ongoing struggle for relevance in the modern world.
(General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA; and co-author of the bestselling Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza.)
3. Dr Awasthi provides a much-needed systematic primer on Deobandi Islam in South Asia in this book. It is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the Deoband school of thought.
(Tricia Bacon, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, American University
Author of Why Terrorist Groups Form International Alliances and Terror in Transition: Leadership and Succession in Terrorist Organizations)
4. Dr Soumya Awasthi's book Diverse Narratives and Shared Beliefs: Classical to Hybrid Deoband Islam in South Asia explores the intricate tapestry of Deoband Islam in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. By challenging simplistic narratives, it reveals the nuanced reality of Deoband Islam and uncovers a diverse range of perspectives within the movement. It sheds light on societal transformation, communal identity, and Deobandi's influence on South Asia's geopolitical dynamics.
The writing focuses on the Deoband school of thought, a branch of Sunni Islam that adheres to the philosophical framework of Ashari Maturidi; it critically analyses its teachings to uncover the complexities and contradictions that shape Deobandi thought. This examination challenges popular assumptions and offers a fresh understanding. (Mirwais Balkhi, Former Minister of Education of Afghanistan, Professor of International Studies)
5. Despite being one of the most formidable religious movements in the region, Deobandi Islam hasnt received adequate scholarly attention. Dr Soumya Awasthis Diverse Narratives and Shared Beliefs fills this critical research gap by examining the movements evolution through shifting geopolitical sands. It will serve those interested in the subject and lay readers.
(Sameer Patil, Director, Centre for Security Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi)
6. The Deoband school within Islam has influenced religion and politics across India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan for over a century. It has produced traditionalist scholars, Indian nationalists, Pakistani Islamists, and Taliban Jihadists. This book helps understand the historical, theological, and geopolitical dimensions of Deobands interpretation of Islam, from its classical roots to its hybrid transformations.
Husain Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and author of Pakistan Between Mosque and Military.
