Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2009, Page 23
Red Mosque example, how religion can be used in order to try to change the social,
political, and religious order in Pakistan.
What Is a Sect?
The terms ―sect‖ and ―cult‖ are often used interchangeably the latter is favored in North
America, while the former is favored in Europe. We will use ―sect‖ in this paper.
Among those who study sects, especially those who work with victims of sects, definitional
emphasis is often placed on the high levels of manipulation and exploitation often
associated with controversial groups. Other observers and many among the general public,
in contrast, distinguish sects from religions by comparing belief systems. Sects are typically
viewed as schismatic or innovative but deviant theologically.
This latter, theological approach is problematic when applied to Islam, because the religion
does not have a central authority. Although the two main confessions of Islam, Sunna and
Shia, are well known, there are within each of these traditions many streams that have
been admitted and integrated into the Islamic mainstream and one finds many schools of
thought and practices arising from different traditions in the varied cultures that have
embraced Islam over time.
Although all Muslims must accept the five pillars of the faith, Islam adapted itself to local
conditions, and many factors have affected how these dogmas are interpreted. Thus, there
are differences between those Muslims in Arab countries (within the same Arab country
even) and those in other geographic areas. Islam in South Asia, for example, adapted to the
varied traditions, languages, castes, and other socio-economic factors of this region.
What Is a Sect in an Islamic Context?
Because, other than the requirement of the five pillars, so much theological diversity is
accepted within Islam, it is difficult to define a sect theologically within an Islamic context.
For example, the psychological perspective of many in the West, which values individual
autonomy and condemns those who undermine autonomy through manipulative techniques,
is not widely shared in Muslim countries. However, there are certain behavioral features
that cause most Muslims to view a group or movement as socially deviant, and these are:
The group or movement has a basically political character.1
The group/movement leaders appeal to religious concepts in order to win support for
political goals, which are the leaders‘ paramount concern.
The group/movement does not tolerate dissent or diversity adherence to the five
pillars is not enough to satisfy the leaders.2
The group/movement rejects the moral legitimacy and challenges the power of the
modern State.
The group/movement is a means for bringing about, not an expression of, religio-
political and social change.
Sectarian groups/movements tend to be mainly a rural and peripheral phenomenon.3
The Red Mosque met all but the last of these criteria, and even the last criterion was partly
met because so many of the school‘s students came from rural areas.
Pakistan: Historical Background
Pakistan was created under the ―Two Nation Theory,‖ which considered Hindus and Muslims
to be two different nations. However, Muslim nationalism of this kind did not consider the
many differences among Muslims themselves. It is beyond the scope of this paper to explain
Red Mosque example, how religion can be used in order to try to change the social,
political, and religious order in Pakistan.
What Is a Sect?
The terms ―sect‖ and ―cult‖ are often used interchangeably the latter is favored in North
America, while the former is favored in Europe. We will use ―sect‖ in this paper.
Among those who study sects, especially those who work with victims of sects, definitional
emphasis is often placed on the high levels of manipulation and exploitation often
associated with controversial groups. Other observers and many among the general public,
in contrast, distinguish sects from religions by comparing belief systems. Sects are typically
viewed as schismatic or innovative but deviant theologically.
This latter, theological approach is problematic when applied to Islam, because the religion
does not have a central authority. Although the two main confessions of Islam, Sunna and
Shia, are well known, there are within each of these traditions many streams that have
been admitted and integrated into the Islamic mainstream and one finds many schools of
thought and practices arising from different traditions in the varied cultures that have
embraced Islam over time.
Although all Muslims must accept the five pillars of the faith, Islam adapted itself to local
conditions, and many factors have affected how these dogmas are interpreted. Thus, there
are differences between those Muslims in Arab countries (within the same Arab country
even) and those in other geographic areas. Islam in South Asia, for example, adapted to the
varied traditions, languages, castes, and other socio-economic factors of this region.
What Is a Sect in an Islamic Context?
Because, other than the requirement of the five pillars, so much theological diversity is
accepted within Islam, it is difficult to define a sect theologically within an Islamic context.
For example, the psychological perspective of many in the West, which values individual
autonomy and condemns those who undermine autonomy through manipulative techniques,
is not widely shared in Muslim countries. However, there are certain behavioral features
that cause most Muslims to view a group or movement as socially deviant, and these are:
The group or movement has a basically political character.1
The group/movement leaders appeal to religious concepts in order to win support for
political goals, which are the leaders‘ paramount concern.
The group/movement does not tolerate dissent or diversity adherence to the five
pillars is not enough to satisfy the leaders.2
The group/movement rejects the moral legitimacy and challenges the power of the
modern State.
The group/movement is a means for bringing about, not an expression of, religio-
political and social change.
Sectarian groups/movements tend to be mainly a rural and peripheral phenomenon.3
The Red Mosque met all but the last of these criteria, and even the last criterion was partly
met because so many of the school‘s students came from rural areas.
Pakistan: Historical Background
Pakistan was created under the ―Two Nation Theory,‖ which considered Hindus and Muslims
to be two different nations. However, Muslim nationalism of this kind did not consider the
many differences among Muslims themselves. It is beyond the scope of this paper to explain
