Migrants, Mujahedin, Madrassa Students

Abstract

This paper explores the diversity of transnational Islam in Pakistan.The paper argues that most of Pakistan´s Islamic actors are tied toeconomic, cultural and religious forms of globalization. The radical andmilitant forms of transnational Islam in the country are largely driven byfactors directly linked to Pakistan´s political and security apparatuses.It is suggested that the increase in militant activities in Pakistan stemsfrom the reluctance or inability of Pakistan´s government to introducefirm standards of law and civility. The paper contends that networkscentered on Islamic scholarship or Pakistan´s identity, are not per seviolent and threatening, but reflect the religious, cultural and ethnicconcerns of an expanding global diaspora of South Asian Muslims.