Second Phase: Informal Conversation

DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE explain why they considered them misconceptions rather than valid points. They failed to refute even a single objection in a scholarly manner, nor did they provide any evidence to support their claims. Nevertheless, they continued to repeat their stance, as if their correctness and my incorrectness were so selfevident that no proof or justification was necessary. You may be surprised to learn that these were not ordinary members but individuals regarded as scholars within the Jamaat, holding responsible positions. Some individuals, however, responded with a sense of restraint, saying that they could not comment on the matter and that those in the Jamaat with direct knowledge of religion should examine and respond to it. When I asked one elder if he considered my work to be in the same category as other writings criticizing the Jamaat, he replied, “I have regularly read everything written in opposition to the Jamaat, but there is no comparison between your writing and those.” To him, my work was worth considering, whereas he felt the others were not even worthy of attention. Among all the members of the Jamaat I have met so far, without exception, I have found that none had answers to my points. However, none were willing to admit this openly. There was only one exception, and the account of his response, as recorded in my diary, is as