How Important is Aqeedah?

Aqeedah has always been simple and the Deobandi/Barelwee split is due to Aqeedah because they are both Hanafees and Sufees.

The Salafees have highlighted controversial parts of Aqeedah and it is absolutely true that Deobandees don’t teach it but neither did anyone else in the history of Islam. There are less than a handful of books written on the issues which Salafees deem to be Aqeedah.

Muslims have never really taught Aqeedah but they have taught “Eemaan”. There is a difference of night and day between Aqeedah and “Eemaan”. Since Salafees overemphasise Aqeedah instead of “Eemaan” there is a disproportionate number of Salafees who burn out because Aqeedah is a dry discussion while Eemaan is active.

The Qur’aan and Sunnah don’t even discuss the term Aqeedah.

Deobandi Darul-ulooms don’t teach Aqeedah (in terms of) contrast to Salafees and here I agree with you. Most Ulama don't know it. We should have experts to counter the Salafi Aqeedah issues who can distill and explain to laymen in simple terms.

Laymen (and Ulama both) should work on “Eemaan” and work to strengthen it, instead of Aqeedah.

It’s no business of laymen if Mutashibihaat should be believed in without meaning and modality but interpreted upon the Dhahir but modality to be consigned to Allah Ta’ala.

We have a problem with apostasy and people moving away from Deen and it will be solved by working on strengthening Eemaan.

This is my Aqeedah

That is not Aqeedah per say but 100% agree with your views. The Salafees have introduced polemic discussions while refutation of heretic ideologies has always been a part of Islamic scholarship.