THIS is apropos of Cyril Almeida’s article, ‘Locked and reloaded, already?’ (Jan 20). The writer has mentioned that the reason for launching Dr Qadri was “to activate the non-Wahabi/Deobandis. Battered and bruised by Wahabi-Deobandis combine, the establishment is looking for a counter-narrative….”.

The founder of Barelvi school of thought, Hazrat Ahmed Raza Barelvi, was from Raebareli, and Deobandis are followers of Darul-Ulum, Deoband school of thought. Both are separately identified as Barelvis and Deobandis, but non-Wahabi/Deobandis do not exist.

I feel sorry for the writer for taking a negative view about Wahabi-Deobandis. “Deobandis have their mosque and madressah network to spread their tentacles in both state and society, and the Wahabi-Deobandi combine has fomented instability”.

Deobandis are peace-loving and no sectarian riot ever erupted between Barelvis and Wahabi-Deobandis. Millions gather at the yearly congregation at Raiwind. They are not extremists or terrorists.

Yes, there are brainwashed young and illiterate teenager terrorists who aspire to go to heavens by adopting the shortcut route of a suicide bomber.

They are far from the Wahabi/Deobandi concept of life. We all know who backs and funds their masters. Although the Wahabi school of thought came from Saudi Arabia, until now we have not heard of any suicide killing taking place in that country or in any of the Far-East Muslim countries like Malaysia and Brunei where people of the Wahabi school of thought are in an overwhelming majority.

ZAFAR IQBAL RAJPUT Karachi

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