Coronavirus and Pakistani Ulema: Islamic Hygiene, Conceiting the Halal food and denigrating the Chinese eatery habits (Concept of Hygiene in Islam and Muslim Food)

Abstract

Traditionally Pakistan and China friendship’s bond (strong) is symbolized as Himalaya and sweeter than honey in the same manner on the state level both nations take pride to be known as China’s iron brother (Ahani Bhai/Iron brothers). However, despite of the massive investment starting from the construction of Karakorum highway to the installation of hundreds of projects under the CEPC, mutual respect and trust on state level; here lies a gap between the two nations. This study is an attempt to identify a fault line between the (both Governments are not taking it serious) both nations and which will create ruptures between the both nations in coming years. This estrangement lies on religious bases, a huge chunk of Muslims public conceptualize China with religious lens and with the empirical examples from Pakistani Ulemas during the start of Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan (from February to April till the first lockdown in Pakistan). This study will investigate how Ulema conceptualized Chinese eatery habits and disseminate their understanding through digital durus via YouTube lectures with the prism of Islamic concept of hygiene coupled with the notions of thwart (cleanliness/purity) and najis (ritually /unclean) during the first wave of Covid-19 in Pakistan.   

Traditionally Pakistan and China friendship’s bond (strong) is symbolized as Himalaya and sweeter than honey in the same manner on the state level both nations take pride to be known as China’s iron brother (Ahani Bhai/Iron brothers). However, despite of the massive investment starting from the construction of Karakorum highway to the installation of hundreds of projects under the CEPC, mutual respect and trust on state level; here lies a gap between the two nations. This study is an attempt to identify a fault line between the (both Governments are not taking it serious) both nations and which will create ruptures between the both nations in coming years. This estrangement lies on religious bases, a huge chunk of Muslims public conceptualize China with religious lens and with the empirical examples from Pakistani Ulemas during the start of Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan (from February to April till the first lockdown in Pakistan). This study will investigate how Ulema conceptualized Chinese eatery habits and disseminate their understanding through digital durus via YouTube lectures with the prism of Islamic concept of hygiene coupled with the notions of thwart (cleanliness/purity) and najis (ritually /unclean) during the first wave of Covid-19 in Pakistan.   

Traditionally Pakistan and China friendship’s bond (strong) is symbolized as Himalaya and sweeter than honey in the same manner on the state level both nations take pride to be known as China’s iron brother (Ahani Bhai/Iron brothers). However, despite of the massive investment starting from the construction of Karakorum highway to the installation of hundreds of projects under the CEPC, mutual respect and trust on state level; here lies a gap between the two nations. This study is an attempt to identify a fault line between the (both Governments are not taking it serious) both nations and which will create ruptures between the both nations in coming years. This estrangement lies on religious bases, a huge chunk of Muslims public conceptualize China with religious lens and with the empirical examples from Pakistani Ulemas during the start of Covid-19 pandemic in Pakistan (from February to April till the first lockdown in Pakistan). This study will investigate how Ulema conceptualized Chinese eatery habits and disseminate their understanding through digital durus via YouTube lectures with the prism of Islamic concept of hygiene coupled with the notions of thwart (cleanliness/purity) and najis (ritually /unclean) during the first wave of Covid-19 in Pakistan.