“This is a major book.” — Francis Robinson

“It is an “illuminating book” with a ‘brilliant combination of microlevel ethnography and macrolevel Indian history’ and ‘as a contribution to the literature on Islamism, secularism, and democracy, this book stands out as a fascinating political ethnography.’” —American Ethnologist

“[T]his important book has earned much interest not only in India, as it somehow puts an end to the frequently asked question: Can Islam and democracy co-exist…?” — Nina zu Fürstenberg

“This is the most important book written on Muslims in India in the last three decades. Ahmad traces the incremental shift of most adherents of Jamaat-e-Islami to moderation and participation in Indian democracy, showing that from its inception the movement has been thoroughly modern. He deals with an aspect of India that is frequently neglected and engages the main debates concerning the relation of Islam to democracy.” —Dale F. Eickelman

“Ahmad’s timely and important book… intervenes…with an unexpected and inspiring conclusion” and makes “impressive contribution…to…discussions concerning Islam and secularism in both the north and the south.” — American Anthropologist

“It [Islamism and Democracy in India] is a seminal contribution to understanding the dynamics of Muslim politics…. The research is original, the style is lucid, and the narrative is absorbing. … [I]t is a tremendous achievement.” — Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs

“This is an important and valuable contribution to our understanding of Muslim societies, providing us with a window into Indian Islamism by skillfully weaving politics, anthropology, and religion in innovative and insightful ways. What Ahmad shows is that Islamism in India has moved far beyond its founding discourses and invectives against secularism and democracy. This ethnography makes the material come alive and gives depth and context to the issues.” — Ebrahim Moosa

“Islamism and Democracy in India is a work of thorough research and rigorous analysis…. It is by far the best book on Jamaat-e-Islami; thorough, courageous and honest.” –Frontline

“It is abrilliant exposition of ideological and practical dilemmas faced by the Jama’at… I congratulate Irfan Ahmad for doing this study with diligence and objectivity expected of an honest scholar.” — Asghar Ali Engineer

“Ahmad’s book is an impressive analytical achievement, a convincing argument for differentiation, and a well-written and accessible read.” — Contemporary South Asia

“It is social science research at its best.” — TwoCircles.net

“The perspectives and arguments presented in this book surpass those previously published on the traditions and modernity of Islamism. Ahmad’s examination demonstrates one of the most fundamentally important aspects of Islamic dynamism…While a constellation of volumes exist on the nature of Islamism and the contemporary world, Irfan Ahmad’s examination is a successful addition by way of its intellectual precision [and] innovative analysis…” — Central European Journal of International and Security Studies

“Part of the importance of this book is its deconstruction of the idea that Islamist groups oppose secularism and democracy. …Islamism and Democracy in India addresses some key conceptual and methodological shortcomings in the literature on the subject. …The book should be read by those interested in political Islam not only in the context of international relations and security but also by scholars and students of political anthropology and the study of social movements.” — Journal of Sociology

“This is the work of a young scholar, who has read widely in intellectual history, political sociology, and cultural anthropology. Ahmad displays an enviable ability to synthesize the approaches and findings of these varied disciplines. … [T]his impressive first book adds enormously to our knowledge and understanding of this country’s largest and most vulnerable minority. … After reading this book, no one should ever be seen speaking or thinking in terms of the ‘putative fixity of Islamism.’” — Ramchandra Guha and Sunil Khilnani

“[T]his well-crafted study will be of great interest to scholars, students of Islam, and policymakers.” –Choice

“[Islamism and Democracy in India] quite stridently questions the conventional ways of dealing with the socio-political life of India’s Muslims …to offer an argument, which simply goes beyond the ‘fixed’ images of Muslim politics and for that matter ‘Islamism’…. [It] gives a new direction to the intellectual tradition established by Mohammad Mujib, Aziz Ahamd, T.N. Madan, Imtiaz Ahmad and Mushirul Hasan.” —South Asian History and Culture

“Irfan Ahmad’s book could not be more timely or important. At a time when clichés about “Islamists” and “Islamic terrorists” abound, he demonstrates the ideological transformation of one of the twentieth century’s most important Islamist movements, India’s Jamaat-e-Islami, in support of active participation in a secular, plural democracy. Ahmad’s work is essential reading not only for scholars, but for policymakers and concerned citizens alike.” — Barbara D. Metcalf

“Among the recent works done [on this theme], this anthropological study is a milestone. On India, this is the first study of its kind which offers a firm foundation for future researchers.” — ‘Alamī Sahārā