The Barelvi movement was founded by Ahmad Raza Khan (1856–1921 AD) of Bareilly, India, as a direct counter to the Deobandi movement. The Barelvis defend popular South Asian Sufi practices — veneration of saints (awliya), visiting shrines (dargahs), celebrating the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid), and belief in the Prophet’s unique spiritual knowledge and intercessory power (tawassul). Where the Deobandis consider many of these practices as innovations or shirk, the Barelvis insist they represent authentic Islamic tradition and legitimate religious devotion. The Barelvis represent the majority of Sunni Muslims in South Asia — particularly in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and among the South Asian diaspora in Britain. The religious conflict between Barelvis and Deobandis has sometimes turned violent in Pakistan.