ABSTRACT
Pakistan became the epicenter of extremist violence and the war against it following the attacks of September 11, 2001, when 19 militants hijacked four planes and attacked targets in the United States (US), killing almost 3,000 people and injuring many more. Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, claimed the attacks in the name of Islam. Religion and politics in Pakistan have gained international attention and Pakistan’s madrasa system of Islamic education has come under intense scrutiny. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was founded on August 14, 1947, when the country gained independence from the British Commonwealth. At the time of its establishment, it consisted of West Pakistan and East Pakistan. East Pakistan seceded to establish Bangladesh in 1971 after a civil war. The rise of militant Islam in Pakistan cannot be understood without exploring the role religion played in the construction of Pakistani identity.
