Islam on the Move: Tablighi Jama'at in Southeast Asia is a book authored by Farish A. Noor, examining the Tablighi Jamaat movement within the context of the Deobandi tradition.[1] Published in 2012 by Amsterdam University Press, the book scrutinizes the global impact of the movement, presenting insightful analyses of Tablighi Jamaat discourse and identity formation.[2] Shortlisted for the ICAS Book Prize 2013 by the International Convention of Asia Scholars,[3] an entity operating under the umbrella of the International Institute for Asian Studies, the book transcends stereotypes. It presents an understanding of the movement's history, objectives, and the intricate dynamics in Southeast Asia.
Starting with the historical context in Chapter One, the book traces the movement's journey into Southeast Asia, investigates its geographical expansion, and analyzes the socio-political atmosphere during this period.[4] Chapter Two scrutinizes the foundational literature of the Tablighi Jama'at, examines its interpretation of Islam, and highlights key elements that shape the movement's ideology.[4] Moving to Chapter Three, the analysis focuses on religious literature, distinguishing the Tablighi Jama'at from other Muslim social groups, and studies the movement's commitment to non-violence and detachment from worldly politics.[4] Chapter Four shifts the focus to conversion narratives, presenting fieldwork stories that illustrate the personal internalization of Tablighi identity, studying the movement's exclusivist theological project, and examining the prioritization of men's activities over women in these narratives.[4] Chapter Five discusses the sartorial code of the Tablighi Jama'at, encompassing dress, rites, and rituals, while also analyzing internal disciplinary measures and the author's insights on the movement's cohesion and distinctive identity.[4] Chapter Six investigates perceptions and allegations from outsiders, addressing concerns about the movement's potential risk to international security post-9/11 and questioning its impact on modern postcolonial states.[4] In Chapter Seven, the conclusion summarizes the main thesis, portraying the Tablighi Jama'at as a mass movement of itinerant missionaries, and succinctly outlines the overall findings and the book's role in understanding the Tablighi Jama'at in Southeast Asia.[4]
The book's academic authority positions it as a resource dispelling misconceptions, making it a lasting reference for a diverse audience. David Tittensor of University of Melbourne commends it for rectifying misrepresentations of the Tablighi movement in security studies,[5] while Abdullah Drury from the University of Waikato anticipates its enduring impact as the definitive work on this complex subject.[6]
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