With a population of 100,000, the town of Deoband in North India is small compared to the many megacities and large towns across the region. Fields of sugarcane and mango trees surround it, and in the town there are more motorbikes and ox carts than cars. Yet the Darul Uloom madrassa (an Islamic center of learning) in Deoband is significant for tens of millions of Muslims around the world.
Darul Uloom opened in 1867 with the purpose of protecting and promoting conservative Sunni Islam across the Indian subcontinent. Since then many thousands of men have studied there, and Darul Uloom graduates have started madrassas in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, South Africa, Great Britain and North America. Twenty percent of Muslims in India and Pakistan consider themselves to be Deobandi (over 75 million people) and in Britain over 40 percent of the mosques are Deobandi.
For many Sunni Muslims, Deoband represents a scholarly, conservative, and pure Islam. It cannot shake the reputation,
however, that it is also connected with militant extremism. The Taliban traces roots to Deobandi madrassas in Pakistan,
and suspicion about extremist ties grew so great that in 2013 Darul Uloom issued a fatwa (a public statement) denouncing terrorism.
Muslims come from all over the world to visit Deoband. Some come as tourists, others stay for seven or more years to be fully trained as mosque or madrassa leaders. An Iranian Sunni gentleman, Ibrahim Bhai, visited for two weeks one winter. He was so happy to be in Deoband even for a short time. “This is a place
where God does great things,” he said. May it be so Lord!
Imagine what it would look like if Deobandis were filled with an awareness of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. The influence of Deoband has spread across nations. There are networks that span continents and a people who are passionate about what they believe and sharing that with others. May that
commitment and passion be for the glory of Jesus.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)
LET’S PRAY
- For the town of Deoband itself to be a place of peace and blessing. That the Hindu/Muslim tensions that often erupt in the region would have no place there.
- For truth, justice and peace to flow through Deobandi networks around the world.
- That Deobandi women, most of whom are hidden from sight, would know their value to the Father and find His love through Jesus.
Post credited to the editors at Worldchristian: visit http://www. worldchristianconcern.org/donate to support mission efforts to reach the unreached for Christ.
