Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi visits Darul Uloom Deoband, seeks stronger India ties and religious collaboration

New Delhi (India) October 11: Amir Muttaki, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan said that relations between India and Afghanistan are going to get better during his visit on Saturday at the well-known Darul Uloom Deoband. 

The lightning visit is the latest stop in a six-day visit to India. It is being viewed as a diplomatic and religious gesture at a time of shifting regional relationships. The principals of the seminary gave him a thunderous reception. They also notified a list of fifteen prominent Ulema (Islamic scholars) who would receive him. Tight security was brought to the region with assistance from state and federal agencies. 

Warm welcome at Deoband with petals and prayers

Muttaqi was greeted with a shower of flower petals by students and faculty as he arrived on campus. His group was crowded by students eager to take photos with them. “I am grateful for such an intense welcome and affection I received from the people here,” he said. I hope relations between India and Afghanistan grow stronger. We’re sending brand new diplomats, I hope you all come down to Kabul. Here is to more solid friendships in the future - judging by how I was received in Delhi these visits could happen quite often in the near future." 

Darul Uloom Deoband is one of the largest Islamic institutions in South Asia. It was established in 1866. Dignitaries of the seminary have had a major role in Islamic government. Taliban see Darul Uloom as the ideal university. Its alumni are often preferred for posts in the Afghan bureaucracy. Currently there are around 15 Afghan students studying at Darul Uloom and this figure has fallen since 2000 with progressively stricter visa requirements.

Certification as “Qasmi” links him to the seminary

Muttaqi participated in an academic session with Maulana Nomani held in the central library of the seminary where he discussed Hadith (Prophetic traditions). He also requested permission to teach Hadhees, which was permitted. He received the Hadith Sanad (certification) from the rector. Muttaqi was then given leave of absence, to adopt the title Qasmi. It represents his connection to a renowned university.

He can now add Maulana Amir Khan Muttaqi Qasmi to his full name. Muttaqi's visit is seen as a major diplomatic and religious endeavour. It undermines official Pakistani claims that it is the supreme protector of Deobandi Islam and a key supporter of the Taliban. Muttaqi's journey to Deoband hinted that the Taliban had had religious ties in India. It might even set off a shift in Taliban diplomacy and a diminishment of their dependence on Pakistan. 

Call for deeper India-Afghanistan friendship

The visit assumes added significance because of continued tense Afghanistan-India relations with Pakistan arising from issues such as cross-border terrorism. Muttaqi’s visit to India proves that the Taliban is looking at growing its diplomatic base and support from countries across South Asia -outside Pakistan, analysts said.