Transnational Islamic Charities the Role of International Islamic Relief
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Transnational Islamic Charities The Role of International Islamic Relief Organisation of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan Doctoral Thesis to Fulfil the Requirements of a Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. Phil.) From the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Erfurt Supervisor: Prof. Jamal Malik (University of Erfurt) Co-Supervisor: Prof. Hike Grimm (University of Erfurt) Ishrat Afshan Abbasi Erfurt, July 2018 i urn:nbn:de:gbv:547-201900074 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Dr. Jamal Malik for his enlightened guidance and constant support throughout the research process. Without his constant feedback this thesis would not have been achievable. It was a privilege for me to share his knowledge. I would also like to thank my co-supervisor Professor Dr. Heike Grimm for her availability and constructive suggestions, which were a contributing factor in the accomplishment of this thesis. I acknowledge the catalyst role of my Alma Mater, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan for awarding me a PhD scholarship under the faculty development project ‘Strengthening of the University of Sindh, Jamshoro’ funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The entire administrative staff of the University of Sindh, who were involved in the release of a quarterly stipend and granting me study leave, they all deserve my appreciation and gratitude for being punctual and sincere in their service through my years of study. My special thanks and esteem go to the entire staff of the International Islamic Relief Organisation of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad for their genuine support. Despite their workload and busy schedules, they offered their time, information and insight. Especially, the Director General of the organisation Dr. Abd Attain who was kind enough and understood the significance of this research topic, and who facilitated access to staff, relevant offices and project sites of this organisation. Without his rational approach and positive attitude, this research would not have been possible. I would also like to thank many other participants of this research who took the time to share information and participate in interviews and focus group discussions. Among them, the most notable were the administration and staff of SOS Village, Rawalpindi, Siratul Jannah, Murree, Faizul Islam; Rawalpindi, the Gulf Medical Centre Rawalpindi; staff and patients of Badar Hospital, Peshawar; Alkhair Hospital, Islamabad; administration, teachers and students of Dar Ali Bin Abi Talib, Islamabad, Dar Braiem, Mansehra and Jamia Asriyya; Jehlum; committee members and workers of various mosques in Islamabad, Badin and Tharparkar, Sindh. Also, a big thanks to some main functionaries of the Ministry of Religious Affairs & Inter-faith Dialogues, Islamabad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad who gave their precious time in sharing their insight and knowledge regarding the role of IIROSA in Pakistan. i I am thankful to the staff at the following academic sites (libraries and archives) for always being pleasant and cooperative and making available the required literature. These sites include the library of the University of Erfurt, Germany; the National Archives Pakistan, Islamabad; the National Library of Pakistan, Islamabad; the Central Library of the International Islamic University, Islamabad and the Central Library of the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Islamabad. Appreciations go to Mr. Fakhar Bilal, Assistant Professor at the Department of History, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad for his genuine suggestions and in providing all facilities to me during the field work thus making my work easier and successful. Furthermore, I would like to thank a lovely lady called Dr. Rahat, Professor at the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, for her moral and academic support during my work hours at the institute. My heartful gratitude goes to Dr. Saeed Zarabi and Dr. Suriaya Khudamuradi. They have been a great moral support to me throughout my stay in Germany. They were always kind and supportive during the challenging times which I encountered during the tenure. I would like to express a special comment of appreciation to my friend and colleague Dr. Mukesh Kumar Khatwani, Associate Professor in the Area Study Centre, Far East & South East Asia Centre, University of Sindh Jamshoro for his true guidance as well as his constant encouragement throughout my studies. This gentleman offered a voluntary editing service for this thesis dedicating his time, attention and energy. It was quite long and exhausting work which he accomplished earnestly. Also, I am grateful to Aviva Jacobs for her English language proof reading services. Similarly, I profoundly appreciate my brother Farrukh Shahzad Abbasi for standing by me, always affectionately in times of need. Sacrificing his comfort, energy and time, he accompanied me to the remote and sensitive fields of Tharparkar, Sindh for my empirical research. I am indebted to the participants of all the post graduate colloquiums held during the course of my PhD studies. Their invaluable contributions and constructive criticism made the structure and insight of this thesis viable. It was a wonderful experience holding colloquiums in such an amicable and positive environment and the credit goes to my supervisor Professor Dr. Jamal Malik. Finally, yet indispensably, I would like to pay my sincere thanks to my parents whose trust in my abilities as well as constant encouragement and appreciation throughout my life made me capable to believe in ii myself and aiming high in life. The death of my father in the middle of my studies was a great shock and a big setback which I overcame with the support of my mother. She deserves special appreciation for helping me in every possible way; this includes reviving my interest and attention in my studies at a crucial time. I dedicate this thesis to my parents. iii ABSTRACT This thesis aims to explore the role and performance of the International Islamic Relief Organisation of Saudi Arabia (IIROSA) in Pakistan regarding its social development and humanitarian assistance policy in the 9/11 era. Furthermore, it explains the opinion and stand of IIROSA regarding religious radicalization and the strategies taken to invalidate the allegations of being a radical organisation. In this context, this research elaborates the measures IIROSA has taken to control their financial management system and the steps it is taking to avoid radical and extremist trends in religious activities. The major contribution of the study is that it addresses the lack of research on Transnational Islamic Charities in the context of development initiatives. This research deals with the qualitative approach to empirical study. Data collection followed four techniques: document analysis, observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The main participants of the empirical study were stakeholders of IIROSA in Pakistan including administration, workers and beneficiaries of projects. Employing Social Movement Theory, this thesis, emphasises the identity of Transnational Islamic Charities as social actors/Islamic social institutes. It argues that as social actors, Islamic charities are focused on social and humanitarian programmes with regard to the Islamic interpretations of human welfare quoting the Quran and Hadith. Additionally, this study, by elaborating the religion and development of a nexus framework, explores and examines the role of religion in development in relation to the particular social setup of Islam for socio-economic benefits and welfare of human beings. It proposes that religion still has an importance in the development sector as demonstrated by the existence of faith-based aid organisations and how they are attempting to design their activities in the pattern of mainstream development organisations. This thesis explores activities of IIROSA in Pakistan regarding the orphans’ programme, educational activities, health care initiatives and disaster relief projects. All these effective programmes closely mirror the pattern and principles of mainstream development organisations throughout the world. However, with regard to girls’ education and women’s empowerment, IIROSA needs to take more assertive measures to strengthen its social development programme. IIROSA is determined to maintain its iv position and membership in the United Nations and other international organisations. In the aftermath of the 9/11 events, it had to face allegations and consequences when accused of being a radical organisation. The outcome was that IIROSA had to be more sensitive regarding matters of religious radicalization. In order to remove the stigma associated with religious radicalization; this organisation is attempting to improve its work and standing in the hope that it will be recognised world-wide as a humanitarian, impartial and neutral relief organisation. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................. 4 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 7 SECTION I: Reviewing Transnational