Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS), BRAC University has organized a seminar on “Constructing Others: Muslim Sects in the Eyes of DeobandiUlema” on 9th June 2016 at BRAC University GDLN Centre. The speaker of this seminar was Dr. Ali Reaz who is a Professor and Chair of Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.
The presentation examined the construction and reproduction of Deobandi percepts with regard to Ahmadiyas and Barelwis by Deobandiulema. Drawing on the publications and comments of ulema associated with two major Deobandimadrassah in two parts of the country, the speaker strived to demonstrate that the Deobandiulema are not only producing the ‘good Muslim’ but also reproducing the ‘other’. He also outlined the Sunni ulema traditions in Bangladesh which undeniably helped the audience to grasp a holistic scenario of sects of Sunni Muslims and their classifications in Bangladesh.
A good number of enthusiast audience including students and teaching staffs from various departments in and outside the university were present there to hear from the speaker. The session was highly effective in terms of knowing about the Deobandi perspective about the other Islamic identities in Bangladesh.