Forum Pakistan

Barelwi derives its name from the town of Bareily in Uttar-Pradesh, India, when a *Sunni theological college (dar-ul-ulum) was established.

Founded at the end of the 19th century by Maulana Ahmad Reza Khan (1865-1921). In addition to the traditional theological disciplines, the dar-ul-ulum's curricula included extensive study of *Sufism. Barelwi *ulema are quite tolerant towards various manifestations of popular Islam, syncretic beliefs and rituals. They take a conservative attitude towards legal and social problems. In India, Barelwi followers have a solid position in Western Bengal, Gujarat, Mysore, and the ea tern districts of Uttar-Pradesh. In Pakistan the ulema of this school occupy some key positions under the leadership of * Jamiat ul-Ulema-i Pakistan, founded in 1970 and led by Shah Ahmad *Noorani. Another organisation of the Barelwi sect is the Sunni Tehreek whose leader was Saleem Qadri until he was assassinated on 18 May 2001.

Barelwi, Syed Ahmed (1786-1831) Religious leader. A founder and leader of the Movement of Mujahidin ( ee Mujahid) (Holy Warriors), who led an armed insurrection on the western bank of the *Indus against Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was a disciple (*murid) of the noted Muslim theologian Shah Abdul Aziz (Delhi, c. 1804-86), and the chief imam in the army of Nawab Muhammad Amir Khan, the ruler of the princely state of Tonk in Rajasthan (1810). Sub equently, he became a wandering preacher and made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1821. In 1826, he came to Peshawar from Bareily through Rajasthan, *Sindh, and *Balochistan. Once there, he called for jihad against the *Sikh authorities. Syed was elected *imam in February 1827 by the population of what are now the districts of Peshawar, Swat and Hazara of the *North West Frontier Province. In 1830 he occupied Peshawar but was betrayed by the local *Pashtun *Khans and was killed in the Battle of Balakot.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: W. W. Hunter, 'The Indian Mussalmans', London, 1871; Q. Ahmad, 'The Wahabi Movement in India', Patna, 1966; G.R. Mihr, 'Sayyid Ahmad Shahid', Lahore, 1952.