Report
On October 24, 2025, a lecture titled “A Reflection on Muslim Identities in South Asia” was delivered by Dr. David Lelyveld. The lecture explored various issues concerning Muslims in South Asia and their identities, focusing on the historical and political contexts from the colonial period to the present. Professor Lelyveld began by noting that South Asian Muslims constitute a complex and multifaceted group, possessing diverse and fluid identities that correspond to their varied linguistic, sectarian, and social environments. He then discussed how, through policies implemented during British colonial rule, religiously based identities were reinforced—leading to the perception of Muslims in India as an “alien” presence. He also described how the stereotypes formed as a result of these developments have profoundly influenced portrayals of Muslims in films and other media.
Furthermore, Professor Lelyveld expressed grave concern about the current situation in India, where the Hindu nationalist ideology espoused by the Modi administration is further advancing the exclusion and marginalization of Muslims.
The lecture was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and Zoom participation, with just over ten attendees in each format. Following the lecture, a lively discussion ensued on the transformation of religious and social identities.
Event Details
Lecture Title: A Reflection on Muslim Identities in South Asia
Speaker: Professor David Lelyveld (William Paterson University, retired)
Chair: Professor Kazuo Morimoto (IASA / Japan Office, ASPS)
Date and Time: 24 October (Fri) 2025, at 18:00-19:30 (JST)
Venue: Room 304, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, Hongo Campus, University of Tokyo (東京大学東洋文化研究所3階、第一会議室304), and online via Zoom
Abstract:
To what extent are the sectarian, regional, ethnic, “caste” and language identities of South Asian Muslims characteristic of historic India as opposed to other parts of the Islamic world? This discussion will concentrate on how such identity categories have been foregrounded or obscured over time with respect to the Aligarh movement, the emergence of Urdu, British social analysis, and nationalist projects. The presentation seeks to stimulate comparisons and ideas for further research.
This event was co-organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo (organized by the Regular Research Project W-1: Approaches to the “Persianate World” as a Tobunken Seminar), Kakenhi Grant-in-Aid “Sunnis” and “Shiʿis”: Historical Inquiries into Confessional Identities and Mutual Perceptions” (23K25371) and the Japan Office of the Association for the Study of Persianate Societies (as a Gilas Lecture).