INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION OF ISLAMIZATION IN PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article investigates the international dimensions of Islamization in Pakistan, focusing on the influence of global forces such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United States. Using Globalization and Glocalization theory alongside Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis, the paper reveals how external ideologies and funding mechanisms penetrated Pakistan’s religious infrastructure. By examining the historical evolution of madrasas, foreign alliances during the Afghan Jihad, sectarian dynamics, and regional rivalries, the study highlights the critical role those foreign actors played in shaping Pakistan’s religious and political trajectory. The findings underline the need for policy reforms and inter-sectarian harmony to mitigate the long-term socio-political impacts of externally influenced Islamization.

Keywords: Islamization, Globalization, Glocalization, Madrasas, Sectarianism