The Jamatkhana and its role in Social Cohesion: A case study of the Ismaili Community in Karachi

Student Number

25316

Degree

Master of Science in Development Studies

Department

Department of Economics

School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Date of Submission

Fall 9-2024

Supervisor

Dr. Sajjad Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences

Committee Member 1

Dr. Sahar Nadeem, Examiner, Head - Department of Behavioural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Karachi

Committee Member 2

Dr. Arslan Waheed, Program Coordinator, Graduate Programs SSLA, Department of Social Sciences, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi

Keywords

Development Studies, Social Cohesion, Social Capital, Support, Social Connection

Abstract

In Pakistan, the field of development studies has slowly begun to recognize the importance of initiating holistic developmental interventions. The significance of social and cultural development is beginning to attract the attention of local and international development agencies in the country. In this context, building social capital is significant for society’s mental and physical well-being, increased standards of living, political goodwill as well as reduced inclination towards violence, crime, and drug use.

This thesis utilises prevalent literature on social cohesion to primarily inquire: How do Jamatkhanas Contribute to Social Cohesion in the Ismaili Community in Karachi? It establishes how this cohesion contributes towards social connections, the formation of a social identity, the support garnered from the community during crisis and, the resilience built against social challenges. This paper fills a gap in social cohesion literature in Pakistan by providing a novel understanding of the experiences of the Ismaili youth in Karachi, one that is pre-disposed to isolation and alienation in a metropolitan city and yet seems to possess characteristics, on account of their shared community identity, which reduce the effect of said isolation.

As hypothesized, the thesis shows a generally positive relationship between social cohesion and reduced feelings of mental distress, isolation, and reduced inclination towards social evils. Respondents in the study also report greater levels of companionship, deeper social connections, and indicate well-built social work and solidarity networks.

Submission Type

Thesis

Document Type

Restricted Access

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