@ Elmo
the article mentions religio-politcal parties (that refers to JI) and like I mentioned TJ is completely a-politcal. I have had a chance to closely watch them in India (including their main centre in delhi) and Australia. I admit I haven't been to Pakistan and they might have morphed their methodology.
From my experience, TJ is a revivalist movement working specifically among muslims. It is orthodox but not ultra orthodox like salafis e.t.c. Moreover, they stress on NOT emphasizing sect or political differences. I have seen hanafi, shafaee, hanbaie, maliki, ahle-hadith, and even shias and barelwis associating with TJ. They however, encourage modern pursuits like getting uni education, jobs e.t.c but at the same time request people to spend some time to revive their faith.
The main reason is that TJ is not your regular organisation. They do not maintain membership lists or ask for donations. There is no central ]list as such. It is basically open to all muslims and any one can go attend their lectures or participate. There is no "entry process" as such and this makes it susceptible to be used by religious extremists for malicious purposes. The other problem is they shun media and don't use any form of media, be they banners, or TV or radio.
If you attend your local TJ gathering or ask them if they do conversions as a primary task, you will get a no. On the other hand, if someone willingly comes and requests to be converted because he/she wants to become a muslim, thats a different thing.
Although TJ is orthodox in outlook, from what I know, I think this is the only group that can effectively counter violent religious nationalists like JI, LeT, e.t.c because of their apolitcal nature. TJ convincingly argues from a theological perspective that Islam should not be mixed with politics which is vital without compromising its "orthodoxy".
Sure TJ groups come to your door (as they have done to me) and request people come to the mosque, but it is always muslims. They don't actively go out to convert like other groups do, nor do they call for establishment of "sharia" or "khilafat" like JI and allied groups do.
the article mentions religio-politcal parties (that refers to JI) and like I mentioned TJ is completely a-politcal. I have had a chance to closely watch them in India (including their main centre in delhi) and Australia. I admit I haven't been to Pakistan and they might have morphed their methodology.
From my experience, TJ is a revivalist movement working specifically among muslims. It is orthodox but not ultra orthodox like salafis e.t.c. Moreover, they stress on NOT emphasizing sect or political differences. I have seen hanafi, shafaee, hanbaie, maliki, ahle-hadith, and even shias and barelwis associating with TJ. They however, encourage modern pursuits like getting uni education, jobs e.t.c but at the same time request people to spend some time to revive their faith.
The main reason is that TJ is not your regular organisation. They do not maintain membership lists or ask for donations. There is no central ]list as such. It is basically open to all muslims and any one can go attend their lectures or participate. There is no "entry process" as such and this makes it susceptible to be used by religious extremists for malicious purposes. The other problem is they shun media and don't use any form of media, be they banners, or TV or radio.
If you attend your local TJ gathering or ask them if they do conversions as a primary task, you will get a no. On the other hand, if someone willingly comes and requests to be converted because he/she wants to become a muslim, thats a different thing.
Although TJ is orthodox in outlook, from what I know, I think this is the only group that can effectively counter violent religious nationalists like JI, LeT, e.t.c because of their apolitcal nature. TJ convincingly argues from a theological perspective that Islam should not be mixed with politics which is vital without compromising its "orthodoxy".
Sure TJ groups come to your door (as they have done to me) and request people come to the mosque, but it is always muslims. They don't actively go out to convert like other groups do, nor do they call for establishment of "sharia" or "khilafat" like JI and allied groups do.
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