Reddit mentions of Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey

> They constantly have to reconcile with the facts that their ancestors' religion was much more like that which was native to India and that their religion was brought to them by conquerors.

It is not unlike what the situation is for African Americans in US. Their culture or religion is that of their former masters ( the real masters of that time who made them Christian). This is the reason many of them turn away from Christianity ( Mohammed Ali, Tyson etc), whereas others become even more extremist than the native Christians ( the whites). From the former trend, we should see more Pakistanis accept their Indian roots once they turn away from Islam or Pakistan.

Iran has been Muslim for much longer, but they still have resentment against the Arabs that comes out as the current Iran-Arab detente conflict. Even among many present day Iranian Ex-Muslims, specially the ones who live out of Iran, there is a trend to say that they are Zorostrians, which was the original Iranian religion.

The subject ( of superseded culture in Islamic societies) has been touched upon by V.S. Naipaul in his book Among the Believers.

The Nobel prize winner, VS Naipaul has written a travelogues, Among The Believers and another one called Beyond Belief in non Arabic Islamic countries. A worthy read, IMHO.
https://www.amazon.com/Among-Believers-V-S-Naipaul/dp/0394711955

Exploding Mangoes was the first book I read about Pakistan. Here's a list:

• Pakistan - Social and Cultural Transformations in a Muslim Nation
  A little dry for my taste but I couldn't recommend this more. This book charts the social consequences of state policies and economic factors over the whole time period from '47 to now.
  
  
• Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia
  Very important book if you want to avoid the conspiracy theories floating about Taliban and our role in their rise.
  
  
• Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military
  Interested in Pakistan army's relationship with mullahs over the years? This is a must-read.
  
  
• Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding
  Title is self explanatory.
  
  
• Beyond Belief: Islamic Excursions Among the Converted Peoples & Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey
  A very informative and interesting two part series on what joins the non-Arab muslims of the world, with a large portion about Pakistan. Written by Nobel Laureate for Literature Naipaul, behnoi of Maj. Gen. Ameer Faisal Alvi who was assassinated in 2008 in Islamabad.
  
  
• Pakistan: A Hard Country
  A good overview of what makes Pakistan run the way it does.
  
  
• The Reluctant Fundamentalist
  Haven't read it but have heard good things about it.
  
  
• The Army and Democracy; Military Politics in Pakistan
  Haven't read it yet.

I fully agree with this. I've not done nearly enough study of Islam, but obviously the Koran is a good place to start.

Not free, and really dated, but it gives a good late 80s perspective, I would also recommend V.S. Naipaul's Among the Believers for some cultural reference. Also, I imagine many will want to punch me for this recommendation, but I found it a fascinating non-fiction travel book first, and a very light introduction to the cultures of Islam second.