Islamic Fundamentalism In Pakistan

This report, one of a series of four analyzing Islamic fundamentalism in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, examines the phenomenon of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan: its origins, historical basis, and relationship to the political, economic, and social institutions. It also considers the likely character of fundamentalist policies if Islamic radicals were to come to power. The role of Iranian influence in Pakistan is also examined. Finally, the study examines the implications for U.S. policy and the possible options the United States has in shaping its relations with Pakistan in the future. The author concludes that, given Pakistan's political culture, the United States ought to tread cautiously in extending its own political, cultural, and military presence there. Even though the fundamentalists are unlikely to come to power and wage a vendetta against the United States, they constitute a basic reservoir of latent hostility that must be kept in mind as a factor limiting U.S. influence in Pakistan

Much has been previously written on the causes and dynamics of Christian conversion, and many recent studies have addressed the issue of global Islamic fundamentalism. Islamic Ideology and Fundamentalism in Pakistan: A Climate for Conversion to Christianity? finds a correlation between the dynamics of Christian conversion and the issue of global Islamic fundamentalism and suggests that a crisis over ideology and Islamization in Pakistan is paving the way for Christian mission. Due to competing theories of statehood and state law, inconsistency, instability, and conflicts in the movement, it suggests that the Islamic impulse has exacerbated ethnic strife and religious sectarianism. It enables students of missiology to understand the "Muslim mentality" and the problems of minorities who have lived under the shariah (Islamic law). The author employs an integrated methodology of theological and behavioral/sociological disciplines to provide a framework for Muslim-Christian understanding, and develops a theory that utilizes missiological insights but emphasizes that Scripture always remains the "final court of appeal" in conversion studies. Although this research does not support a claim that large numbers are turning to Christ in Pakistan, it does find evidence that Islamization now has an increased receptivity to the Christian mission.

This report is the capstone to a series of reports analyzing Islamic fundamentalism, or "Islamism," in the Northern Tier countries--Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It identifies common patterns and characteristics that all those states have experienced with fundamentalism. The author reviews the obstacles to an Islamic takeover, outlines factors contributing to the growth of Islamism, describes Islamist influence in the Northern Tier states, and considers the Islamists in power. Finally, he discusses U.S. policy options in dealing with the Northern Tier countries. The studies in this series conclude that radical Islamic fundamentalists are unlikely to come to power in Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The Afghan fundamentalist (Islamist) movement, which has been active in Afghan politics since the late 1960s, has been powerfully reinforced by the Soviet invasion and, subsequently, by the mujahidin's sensational victory over the Red Army. This report reviews the foundations of Islamist strength, considers whether Islamists will come to power, reviews weaknesses of Islamist parties, and considers implications for the United States if an Islamist regime were to come to power. The author concludes that, although the Islamists have established a "permanent" place in Afghan politics, their position is likely to change as a new, postcommunist phase begins in Afghanistan. The probability that radical Islamists will exercise exclusive power in Afghanistan is slight, but they will always be a factor in Afghan politics, and their exclusion from governance could be the root of prolonged civil conflict. Finally, while radical Islamists will remain cool to the United States, they are unlikely to vehemently oppose it under any circumstances.