Islam, Sufism and Everyday Politics of Belonging in South Asia

This book looks at the study of ideas, practices and institutions in South Asian Islam, commonly identified as ‘Sufism’, and how they relate to politics in South Asia. While the importance of Sufism for the lives of South Asian Muslims has been repeatedly asserted, the specific role played by Sufism in contestations over social and political belonging in South Asia has not yet been fully analysed.

Looking at examples from five countries in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan), the book begins with a detailed introduction to political concerns over ‘belonging’ in relation to questions concerning Sufism and Islam in South Asia. This is followed with sections on Producing and Identifying Sufism; Everyday and Public Forms of Belonging; Sufi Belonging, Local and National; and Intellectual History and Narratives of Belonging. Bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines, the book explores the connection of Islam, Sufism and the Politics of Belonging in South Asia. It is an important contribution to South Asian Studies, Islamic Studies and South Asian Religion.

Deepra Dandekar is an Associate Member of the Asia and Europe in a Global Context Cluster of Excellence at Heidelberg University, Germany , and works on Gender and Religion in Maharashtra.

Torsten Tschacher is Junior-Professor of Muslim Culture and Society in South Asia at Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany. His research focuses on the history of Tamil-speaking Muslim societies in South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia.