THE HISTORICAL PATTERNS OF SALAFISM THEOLOGICAL TRANSMISSION FROM SAUDI ARABIA TO ASIAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This study examines the multifaceted processes through which Salafi theological perspectives have been transmitted from Saudi Arabia to various Asian countries since the mid-twentieth century. Employing a historical and comparative approach, the research investigates the institutional mechanisms, transnational networks, and sociopolitical contexts that have facilitated this theological diffusion across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia. The findings reveal that rather than representing a unidirectional flow of influence, Salafism's transmission to Asian contexts has involved complex processes of negotiation, adaptation, and contestation, resulting in diverse manifestations of "Asian Salafisms" that respond to local religious traditions and political environments while maintaining core theological principles. The study identifies four primary mechanisms of transmission: educational institutions and scholarship networks; financial networks and charitable organisations; migration and pilgrimage connections; and media and technological platforms. These mechanisms have enabled Salafi theology to establish significant footholds across Asia while simultaneously generating resistance from established religious authorities and state institutions in many contexts. The research contributes to understanding how transnational religious movements navigate diverse cultural landscapes in an era of globalization, highlighting the inseparability of theological transmission from material conditions, geopolitical considerations, and technological developments. These insights have significant implications for comprehending contemporary religious dynamics in Asia and beyond, particularly regarding questions of religious authority, authenticity, security concerns, and the impact of digital technologies on theological dissemination in the twenty-first century.