How Faith Based Organizations Contribute Or Hinder Development In Pakistan ? The Case Of Al-Khidmat Foundation

Paper explores the interactions between religion and development by analyzing the case of the Al-Khidmat Foundation (AKF) in Karachi, Pakistan. Studying AKF, the paper discusses how Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) draw on religious ideas and practices to conduct social welfare and development projects. I explore the meaning, mission, and characteristics of FBOs, in terms of their religious and political affiliations in Karachi. Findings show the emerging role of faith/religion in community development, as a counterpoint to the modern notions of secularisation. It argues that AKF occupies vantage positions over ‘non-religious’ or mainstream organizations, in terms of resources, enhanced access, and religious legitimacy. However, AKF has also been criticized for its conservative, proselytizing, and political development agendas. Such characteristics contradict the mainstream and secular discourse of development and call for a strategic and nuanced engagement of local faith actors – and therefore religion, into global development.