INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF SUFI ISLAM AFTER 9/11 AND RISE OF BARELVI EXTREMISM IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Pakistan has been a victim of extremism and terrorism since 1970s, which has disrupted its
social values, economic growth and spoiled the face of religion. In order to tackle growing
menace, the Musharraf regime promoted Sufi Islam in the country as an antidote to it,
perceived as flexible and pluralistic in nature. Owing to such accommodative characteristics,
Sufi Islam was deemed more adaptive with respect to changing socio-cultural realities. Hence,
it was thought to be more tolerant than the orthodox conception which was perceived to be
encouraging armed endeavors, thus threatening the authority of the state. To achieve these
objectives, National Council for the Promotion of Sufism was established by Pervez
Musharraf, which was later carried forward by Pakistan People’s Party to extend the
promotion of Sufism in the country. However, the seemingly soft school of thought started
growing violent in 2010 primarily on the basis of blasphemy law. This paper covers the era
when Sufi Islam was felt essential to counter radical religious mindset and analyzes its
employment through its institutionalization, followed by the causes and effects of the
emergence of violent extremism among its clerics and followers.