South Asia’s Influence on the Revival of Islam in Central Asia

Abstract

Several centuries old, the relationships between contemporary Central Asia and South Asia—mainly the Indian subcontinent—have been consolidated through the Moghul dynasty, founded by Central Asian conquerors. After a long period of non-relations between the two regions, the collapse of the Soviet Union permitted new Islamic exchanges between Central Asia and India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This new Islamic link is mainly the work of a very influential and transnational organization, called Jama’at al Tabligh. Its members work for the diffusion of faith and piety in their country, promoting an Islam influenced by the Deoband school of India.