ORIGINS OF ISLAM IN INDIA
Mughal painting of Mumtaz Mahal
Islam has long held ties with the Indian subcontinent and its people. Years of Arab, Afghan, and Turkish invasions coupled with a stringent British rule and Partition, all greatly influenced the way Indians interact with Islam today. The practice of Islam arrived in India after newly Islamicized Arab merchants began trading on the coasts of India [1]. With the frequent interactions between the Muslim merchants and Indian villagers, it was only natural that some Indians converted to Islam. However, the occurrences on the coasts of India were only the beginning what would become a huge Islamic influence in the subcontinent.
Islamic expansion in India continued through conquests that led to the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate and the much larger, Ghaznavid Empire [2]. These first few invasions led to an onslaught of Arab, Turkish, and Afghan invasions throughout the next few centuries. The next big Islamic dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate, had a notable role in spreading Islam across the central regions of India. The Sultanate promoted an Indo-Muslim culture which allowed for both Hinduism, the main religion in India, and the emerging Islam to coexist. The Sultanate was later absorbed into the Mughal Empire, the rule that set the precedent for Hindu-Muslim interactions for years to come. Again, a policy of "din-i-illahi" and religious freedom allowed for Hindus and Muslims to live in harmony.
The start of British rule completely changed the view of Islam in India today. While there were always minor religious conflicts and tensions for Muslims and Hindus, for the most part, relations were peaceful. However, the years of British rule heightened tensions and created a clear distinction between what it meant to be a "Muslim" versus a "Hindu." The zenith of the tensions came at the time of Partition when Indians were forced to recognize themselves as either Muslims or Hindus. Since then, the view of Islam in India has been a contentious one, and Islamophobia has certainly taken root. Pakistan and India have always seemingly been at odds, ready to go to war with each other at any moment.
Islamic expansion in India continued through conquests that led to the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate and the much larger, Ghaznavid Empire [2]. These first few invasions led to an onslaught of Arab, Turkish, and Afghan invasions throughout the next few centuries. The next big Islamic dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate, had a notable role in spreading Islam across the central regions of India. The Sultanate promoted an Indo-Muslim culture which allowed for both Hinduism, the main religion in India, and the emerging Islam to coexist. The Sultanate was later absorbed into the Mughal Empire, the rule that set the precedent for Hindu-Muslim interactions for years to come. Again, a policy of "din-i-illahi" and religious freedom allowed for Hindus and Muslims to live in harmony.
The start of British rule completely changed the view of Islam in India today. While there were always minor religious conflicts and tensions for Muslims and Hindus, for the most part, relations were peaceful. However, the years of British rule heightened tensions and created a clear distinction between what it meant to be a "Muslim" versus a "Hindu." The zenith of the tensions came at the time of Partition when Indians were forced to recognize themselves as either Muslims or Hindus. Since then, the view of Islam in India has been a contentious one, and Islamophobia has certainly taken root. Pakistan and India have always seemingly been at odds, ready to go to war with each other at any moment.
INDIAN PERSPECTIVE ON ISLAM:
While some Indians today still hold hope for a peaceful future with Pakistan, and a better understanding of Islam, the relations between Hindus and Muslims within India and Pakistan still remain bitter. The extent of Islamophobia present in India is clearly demonstrated just looking at Muslim employment statistics in West Bengal. The Muslim population is 27%, as reported by a survey, yet, the government employment of Muslims has not exceeded 3% for decades. It is not a lack of qualifications, but simple discrimination against Muslims caused by Islamophobia [11]. With the advent of nuclear weaponry, many remaining regions of conflict, and a growing wave of Hindu nationalism, the future of the Hindu-Muslim dynamic is uncertain.
A trend of right-wing Hindu movements has been claimed to be surfacing in the last couple of years [3], leading to a number of civil catastrophes targeted towards Muslims. After 58 Hindus were burned alive in a train following a pre-planned attack committed by a small Muslim mob in February of 2002 [4], many Hindus responded with brutal attacks directed towards Muslim men and women. There was a death toll of above 1000 following the Gujarat riots, with 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus killed [12]. Events like these worsen relations between Hindus and Muslims and only reinforce stereotypes of Muslims as "terrorists" and "killers".
Kashmir: The Focal Point of Hindu Muslim Conflict
The tension between Hindu and Muslims, and India and Pakistan, has perhaps manifested itself most notably in the north Indian region of Kashmir. The issues in Kashmir have existed ever since the existence of India and Pakistan themselves [10]. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over Kashmir including the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947, 1965, and 1999 [5]. There have also been numerous conflicts over the nearby Siachen Glacier. Despite Kashmir being a Muslim majority region with 74.2% of the population of Muslim origin, India has ruled the territory since Partition. After Partition, Kashmir was given the choice of which country to accede with, ultimately choosing to join India under the promise of military protection and a popular vote on the issue. The vote was never taken.
Today, India and Pakistan continue to fight each other over this piece of land that each believes they rightfully own for one reason or another. Yet, The Chatham House poll last spring found that between 74 percent to 95 percent of residents of the mainly Muslim Kashmir Valley, where the conflict is centered, would vote for independence. In mostly Hindu Jammu, that support dropped to 1 percent. [6] Recent unrest has been quelled by the government through bans on text messaging, leading frustrated youth to take advantage of social media sites like Facebook and Youtube to express their feelings regarding the government failure and clear abuse of rights. [7] Sohaib Quershi, a young Kashmiri, posted on a site, “The government has no idea about the aspirations and the grievances of people. They will keep on fighting amongst themselves and completely forget the dying Kashmiris. I don’t understand how difficult is it for the state government to make the center act and implement the various recommendations of the parliamentary committee. It is heartbreaking that no amendments are being made to the laws which make the armed forces feel like dictators. Where is the democracy?”
A trend of right-wing Hindu movements has been claimed to be surfacing in the last couple of years [3], leading to a number of civil catastrophes targeted towards Muslims. After 58 Hindus were burned alive in a train following a pre-planned attack committed by a small Muslim mob in February of 2002 [4], many Hindus responded with brutal attacks directed towards Muslim men and women. There was a death toll of above 1000 following the Gujarat riots, with 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus killed [12]. Events like these worsen relations between Hindus and Muslims and only reinforce stereotypes of Muslims as "terrorists" and "killers".
Kashmir: The Focal Point of Hindu Muslim Conflict
The tension between Hindu and Muslims, and India and Pakistan, has perhaps manifested itself most notably in the north Indian region of Kashmir. The issues in Kashmir have existed ever since the existence of India and Pakistan themselves [10]. India and Pakistan have already fought three wars over Kashmir including the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947, 1965, and 1999 [5]. There have also been numerous conflicts over the nearby Siachen Glacier. Despite Kashmir being a Muslim majority region with 74.2% of the population of Muslim origin, India has ruled the territory since Partition. After Partition, Kashmir was given the choice of which country to accede with, ultimately choosing to join India under the promise of military protection and a popular vote on the issue. The vote was never taken.
Today, India and Pakistan continue to fight each other over this piece of land that each believes they rightfully own for one reason or another. Yet, The Chatham House poll last spring found that between 74 percent to 95 percent of residents of the mainly Muslim Kashmir Valley, where the conflict is centered, would vote for independence. In mostly Hindu Jammu, that support dropped to 1 percent. [6] Recent unrest has been quelled by the government through bans on text messaging, leading frustrated youth to take advantage of social media sites like Facebook and Youtube to express their feelings regarding the government failure and clear abuse of rights. [7] Sohaib Quershi, a young Kashmiri, posted on a site, “The government has no idea about the aspirations and the grievances of people. They will keep on fighting amongst themselves and completely forget the dying Kashmiris. I don’t understand how difficult is it for the state government to make the center act and implement the various recommendations of the parliamentary committee. It is heartbreaking that no amendments are being made to the laws which make the armed forces feel like dictators. Where is the democracy?”
IN THE MEDIA:
Director Mira Nair Interview - Islam vs America |
Despite past history, some Indians today still hold hope for a peaceful future with Pakistan, and a better understanding of Islam. Renowned South Asian director, Mira Nair speaks on what she believes Indians should do in regards to empathizing with Muslims, and better understanding the Muslim perspective. Nair comments on the notable role the West, specifically American, has had on shaping the Indian view of Muslims today. The portrayal of Muslims in Hollywood seems to always reinforce the West's, often negative, stereotypes of Muslims. Nair comments that this ignorance can be harmful, and steps should be taken to understand Islam. Nair's progressive views do not necessarily align with the views of other Indian directors, who continue to present Muslim stereotypes in their films. |
Shah rukh, a proud Muslim & Indian |
Shah Rukh Khan is another notable figure in Indian media, fondly known as the "King of Bollywood." Despite his status as a Muslim, Khan claims he has been widely accepted and embraced, proving that there need not be such a division between Muslims and Hindu. He discusses his thoughts on his image in relation to religion, addressing the fact that he has never felt discriminated against just due to his faith. In fact, Khan's perspective is interesting to hear, as it does neglect the clear bias there is in certain Bollywood movies towards Muslims and how they are represented. As a Muslim Pakistani blogger mentions in her post regarding a recent Bollywood movie, Kurbaan [8], "to [her] disappointment, the film [was] set in the backdrop of terrorism and loaded with Islamophobic stereotypes, something that is so typical in both Hollywood and Bollywood cinema whenever Muslims are portrayed." |
Pakistani Journalist trying to humiliate an Indian Muslim |
There is certainly a level of tension that will always remain between Hindu and Muslims, contributing to Islamophobic tendencies. The tension may in fact be responsible for exacerbating a trend of Muslims "getting left behind," claims the Economist [9]. Muslims and Hindus alike jump at the chance to push the blame on each other when perhaps neither is truly at fault. Javed Akthar, a significant societal figure in India, talks about how there will always be this conflict and paradox in Indian society, as it is simply a product of the subcontinent's nature. |