Causes of Sectarian Extremism in Pakistan: an EMIC Prospective ofReligious Scholars

Hafiz Ur Rehman; Huma Razaq Abbasi; Aisha  Tahir

Authors

Hafiz Ur Rehman Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad Author
Huma Razaq Abbasi Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad Author
Aisha Tahir Department of Econometrics, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad Author

Keywords:

Extremism, Sectarianism, Religious Approach, Thematic Analysis

Abstract

The purpose for present study is to investigate the
reasons of extremism and sectarianism. The
Qualitative research design was used to conduct
the study. The semi-structured interview
guideline was used for data collection. An Indepth analysis of data was done through thematic
analysis by [1]. The sample of participants (N=8),
male (n=7) & female (n=1) were selected through
purposive sampling from different sect scholars.
The interview guideline caters the domains
opinion about sectarianism, reasons of
sectarianism, why Pakistan is unsuccessful to stop
it, role of religious extremism in sectarianism,
what preventive measures should be taken, role of
human cognitions. Further in depth analysis
revealed that there are different Islamic views,
division of groups, propaganda, lack of faith, use
of power, conflicts, cognitions, following the
schools of thoughts and force against Islam
regarding opinion of sectarianism and the reasons
behind the sectarianism are invasion of external
factors, lack of control, misuse of religion,
emotional propaganda, political influence etc.
Results shows revealed that there is positive,
negative and neutral opinion about sectarianism
like Islamic view, and division of groups