Jamaat-e-Islami Hind

History

Jamaat-e-Islami as formed on 26 August 1941 at Lahore under the leadership of Sayyid Abul A'la Maududi. After the Partition members of the organisation remaining in what became the Republic of India, re-organised themselves to form an independent party, having its own Constitution and separate leadership and organisational structure from Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan. Although India was a Hindu-majority country, and beset by at times violent Hindu-Muslim sectarianism, Maududi believed that there was "at least a 60 per cent chance for Islam’s success" in India—Islam as a complete way of life, devoid of nationalism, socialism, liberalism or any other non-Islamic ideologies.

The Indian Jamaat-e-Islami came into being in April 1948 at Allahabad and was officially called "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind". 240 members attended the first meeting and elected Maulana Abul Lais Nadvi as their Amir (leader), and established their headquarters at Malihabad, Lucknow, U.P. Later, the headquarters was shifted to Rampur in 1949 and then to New Delhi in 1960.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind then underwent a process of reorganisation, reframing its constitution and written policy. The new constitution came into effect on 13 April 1956. The organisation held an All-India Meet at Rampur (U.P) in 1951 followed by meetings at Hyderabad (1952) Delhi (1960), Hyderabad (1967), Delhi (1974), Hyderabad (1981), Hyderabad (1997) and Delhi (2002). It has also held regional conferences on various occasions in different parts of the country. The state chapters of the organisation also hold separate conferences at regular intervals.

The organisation was banned twice by the Government of India during its seven decades of existence, the first temporarily during the Emergency of 1975–1977 and then in 1992 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. While the first was revoked after the Emergency was lifted, the second was reversed by the Supreme Court of India on the grounds that the allegations of unlawful activities and questioning of India's sovereignty were not substantiated with concrete legal evidence. The affidavits provided by the government were based on intelligence reports without disclosing their sources, preventing Jamaat-e-Islami Hind from effectively rebutting the claims.

Objective

Officially, the organisation describes its objective as "Iqaamat-e-Deen" or "Establishment of (Islamic) way of life in all aspects of life" with "achievement of divine pleasure and success in the Hereafter" as the sole motive of the effort. It also defines it core doctrine as "La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah", i.e. "the Divine Being is solely Allah, there being no God except Him, and that Muhammad is Allah's messenger". It also states that the Quran and Sunnah would be its base, and all objectives would be achieved only through constructive and peaceful methods of propagation.

The JIH programme as of 2014 includes "a clear exposition of the teachings of Islam which is shorn of all false ideas and purged of all unhealthy accretions", to emphasise the Qur’an, the Sunnah in Islam, rather than the opinions of Islamic scholars, reaching "out to the persons who are disposed to righteousness, and are inclined to work for the establishment of righteousness in human life" and organise them, "striving to bring about societal change and to effect reform in the light of Islamic teachings", and a change of "intellectual leadership, social and cultural leadership, and ultimately, political leadership."

Organisation

Sadat Husaini, the current Amir (Leader) heads a central decision-making body, called the Majlis-e-Shoora (Central Advisory Council). Country-wide, it is organised into 17 zones each presided over by a regional amir. The JIH also has a women's organisation (JIH Women's Wing) and a students' wing Students Islamic Organisation. It is estimated to have around 7,000 core members, some 50,000 party workers and 300,000 "associates" (as active sympathisers are called) all over India. The organisation is considered to have an influence "out of proportion to its numbers" because of "disciplined organisation, welfare work, its reputation for honesty and street power".

Jamaat is a player in national level bodies for the Muslim community in India like the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and All India Babri Masjid Movement Coordination Committee. It has also involved itself in inter-faith forums like Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ), and Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (FDCA). MPJ and FDCA have played an active role in bringing peace to many violence-hit areas across the country and in protecting civil rights.

Women's wing

The organisation has active participation from the women of the community through its women's wing and its feeder organisation, the Girls Islamic Organisation of India. In February 2006, its Andhra Pradesh wing organised a two-days State Women's conference, the first of its kind at Hyderabad drawing more than 30,000 Muslim women. Speakers at the event emphasised the rights and privileges of women pertaining to education and employment within the framework of Islam and condemned practices like dowry as "un-islamic". The presence of its women was also notice-able in the recent mass rallies demanding a separate state of Telangana.

In January 2010, the women's wing in the state of Kerala organised its State Women's Conference. The conference was inaugurated over video-conferencing by Yvonne Ridley as she was denied a visa by the government of India. The conference issued resolutions calling for reforms in Muslim Personal Law, action against dowry and reclaim of family values.

In February 2021, the Women's Wing launched ‘Strong Family Strong Society’, a nationwide campaign aimed to create awareness about the "deteriorating family structure" with the intention to reach out to both Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

The Women's Wing launched two e-magazines — Aura (English) and Hadiya (Urdu) — in March 2021 to serve as a platform for women to express their issues.

Social Services

The Social Service Wing of the Jamaat coordinates with various NGOs in India like the Ideal Relief Wing Kerala (IRW), Islamic Relief Committee (IRC) and Tamil Nadu Relief Committee (TNRC). The IRW was an active participant in the rescue efforts during the Kashmir earthquake spending almost $200,000 for the relief work and also played important roles in the relief efforts in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The TNRC built 38 houses for victims of the Asian tsunami in Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs 12.5 million. It also built 160 permanent houses at Nagore, Pudupattinam and Kottakuppam and provided livelihood assistance to hundreds of families in those areas.

The Islamic Relief Committee Gujarat played a major role in rehabilitation of the people of Gujarat in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots and the Gujarat earthquake. It spent almost Rs 40 million for victims of the riots, building 1,321 new homes and repairing 4,946 damaged ones. It allocated another 40 million rupees for the victims of the Gujarat earthquake. It also led the legal proceedings against the accused in the aftermath of the riots

Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), an NGO for legal activities backed by the Jamaat works for legal action against human rights violations especially for backward communities and minorities. It has worked along with other NGOs like the PUCL and ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony And Democracy) in contesting the official version of the encounter killings at Batla House, Jamia Nagar in Delhi on 19 September 2008. It has also opposed armed confrontation as a solution to the Maoist insurgency in parts of India.

Political activity

On 18 April 2011, JIH facilitated the launch of a national political party Welfare Party of India, under a leadership that included top functionaries of the organisation and members from the wider Muslim community and outside, including a Christian priest.

Educational activity

The Jamaat has also campaigned to create educational awakening and promote human rights among the general public and the Muslim community in particular. In 2006, it launched a 10-year, INR 55 billion ($125 million) action plan named "Vision 2016" to create educational, health and housing facilities to improve the situation of poor Muslims in India. Indian Muslim team seeks support for development Web posted at: 20 October 2008 Source ::: The Peninsula Its first phase is focused on 58 backward districts in India where it plans to establish health care centers, schools, vocational training centers, small-scale industries and low-cost housing and provide soft loans for small-scale trade and other ventures.

Views

Economic issues

In general, Jamaat follows an anti-liberalisation and anti-globalisation policy on economic issues. More specifically, it has opposed the central government policies on

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
• Special Economic Zones (SEZ)
• Abolition of subsidies
• Privatisation of health care, education and other services. Underlying its stance on the issues, its policy document asserts that providing the citizens with the basic necessities of life was the responsibility of the government and aspects of profit and loss should be viewed as of the general public collectively. It has also blamed interest based loans for the increasing suicides of farmers in India. As a solution to the ill-effects of economic situation, the organisation puts forward economic policies of the Islamic economic system derived from Islamic teachings as the only alternative to achieve economic justice.

Terrorism in India

The organisation condemned all incidents of bomb blasts and disruptive acts in various parts of the country and demanded an "impartial and honest probe into all such incidents" and formation of "a sensible and effective strategy to check such incidents". It has also voiced its concern on what it sees as a prejudiced approach by the authorities and the media to blame the Muslim community in the immediate aftermath of such incidents. It passed a resolution in October 2008 saying:

It has also condemned the human rights violations on the detainees and suspects and expressed its doubts on confessions extracted in such situations. Addressing the Muslim community, it asks them to "remain calm and not be provoked or get disillusioned but seek the Almighty's help and guidance in these difficult times. They should not bow down to harassment and terror but should resist the tide of injustice with the help of all peace loving citizens of the country."

Communalism and riots

On the issue of communalism and riots, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has been in the fore front of opposing any sort of imposition of particular religion, culture and language on others by force. It has often said that, creating animosity, hatred in the name of religion among different groups is not acceptable. It has also laid stress on the importance of freedom of faith and religion and would oppose any legislations which violate this freedom. The organisation highlighted that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) could serve as a "lightning rod for polarisation".

Foreign position

Political position of the Jama'at-e-Islami is Anti-America, and Anti-Zionism.

; Global terrorism The Central Advisory Council of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind adopted a resolution on 9 November 2001:

; War in Afghanistan It also condemned the invasion of Afghanistan by the US as an action taken without any proof and hence "an oppressive and terroristic act...as innocent persons are being killed."

; Israel-Hamas war Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appreciates South Africa’s role in dragging Israel to the ICJ, and welcomes India’s decision to vote in favor of UN resolution against Israeli settlements.

National leaders

• Syed Sadatullah Husaini
• T. Arif Ali
• Mujtaba Farooq
• Jalaluddin Umri
• Yusuf Islahi
• H Abdul Raqeeb
• K. A. Siddique Hassan
• Dr Mohammad Rafat
• Dr Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas
• Dr Raziul Islam Nadvi
• Dr Saleem Khan
• Zahoor Ul Hasan
• Syed Mohammad Jafar

Former Presidents

References

References

1. (6 November 2011). "Islamism and Democracy in India:The Transformation of Jamaat-e-Islami Irfan Ahmad". Press.princeton.edu.
2. Martin Bright. (16 August 2005). "Radical links of UK's 'moderate' Muslim group". The Guardian.
3. Pg 32, INTRODUCTION, A Historical Overview of Islam in South Asia, Islam in South Asia in Practice- by Barbara D. Metcalf Princeton University Press, 2009
4. (2010). "Challenges of Social Upliftment and Definition of Identity: A Field Analysis of the Social Service Network of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Meerut, India". Tandfonline.com.
5. (25 September 2005). "Permanent shelters for tsunami victims will be ready by April". [[The Hindu]].
6. (20 October 2008). "Hindu praise for Jamaat work in Bihar". Thaindian.com.
7. "Little Men, Big Water". Outlookindia.com.
8. "History And Background". Jamaateislamihind.org.
9. (15 July 2007). "A confusing Islamic Society". The Times of India.
10. [http://www.cerium.ca/IMG/pdf/Ahmad-Beween_moderation.pdf Between moderation and radicalization: transnational interactions of Jamaat-e-Islami of India, IRFAN AHMAD, 15 June 2005, Global Networks, Volume 5, Issue 3, pages 279–299, July 2005]{{Dead link. (January 2020)
11. (21 September 2009). "Islamism and Democracy in India: The Transformation of Jamaat-e-Islami". Princeton University Press.
12. (19 April 2011). "Jamaat launches party, Christian priest is vice-president". The Indian Express.
13. Vidya Subrahmaniam. (19 April 2011). "News / National : A new Jamaat-backed political party". The Hindu.
14. "Development of Islamic movement in Kerala in modern times". [[Aligarh Muslim University]]-Shodhganga.
15. (2 August 2012). "India: Reluctant Democrats – Jamaat e Islami Hind (JIH)".
16. (25 November 2011). "The Constitution of Jamaat e Islami Hind". Jamaateislamihind.org.
17. [http://www.jihkerala.org/htm/english/jamaat/History.html Background of the Formation of the Jamaat] {{webarchive. link. (1 June 2010)
18. The Milli Gazette, OPI, Pharos Media. "Jamaat-e-Islami favours inter-faith dialogue". Milligazette.com.
19. "Against Evils, For Peace! : The Jamaat meet, attended by more than 70,000 delegates, pledges to strive for an evil-free society". Islamicvoice.com.
20. [http://www.jihkerala.org/htm/english/jamaat/Conferences.html Jamaat-e-islami Kerala Chapter History – Conferences] {{webarchive. link. (28 June 2009)
21. (17 January 2010). "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind conclave on January 30, 31". [[The Hindu]].
22. (31 January 2010). "JIH State conference begins The Hindu Tamil Nadu -Tiruchi 31 Jan 2010". [[The Hindu]].
23. (25 November 2011). "Tamil Nadu state conference report Trichy, Tamil Nadu, on 30th and 31st January 2010". Jamaateislamihind.org.
24. The Milli Gazette, OPI, Pharos Media. ""Do not link terrorism with Islam": Maulana Sirajul Hasan". Milligazette.com.
25. The Emergency in India – Steve Andors, Christine White; Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars, Vol. 7, 1975
26. "Supreme Court of India:Jamaat-E-Islami Hind vs Union Of India on 7 December 1994". Indiankanoon.org.
27. [http://www.jihkerala.com/htm/english/jamaat/Aims.html] {{webarchive. link. (5 July 2009)
28. (16 July 2012). "Overview of Programme". Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.
29. Jamaat-i-Islami of India, Pg 156 – The Oxford dictionary of Islam By John L. Esposito, Oxford University Press US, 2004
30. "Members of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat". Mushawarat.com.
31. Express news service. (14 January 2008). "JamaateIslami Hind to launch new wing". The Indian Express.
32. (5 February 2004). "Pg 89, Muslims in India since 1947: Islamic perspectives on inter-faith relations By Yōgīndar Sikkand". Taylor & Francis.
33. (6 November 2011). "Pg 212, Chapter 7 Islamism and Democracy in India:The Transformation of Jamaat-e-Islami Irfan Ahmad". Press.princeton.edu.
34. (3 October 2003). "Marad peace talks remain inconclusive". Getahead.rediff.com.
35. ["Kannur erupts again – BJP men, Marxist killed"] The Indian Express Thursday, 2 December 1999
36. (29 April 2003). "The truth behind the Muthanga incident Date: Apr 2003 Source: Down to Earth Vol: 11 Issue: 20030430". Indiaenvironmentportal.org.in.
37. (26 February 2004). "FDCA Fosters Communal Amity, Says Official". Arab News.
38. (6 February 2007). "Need RTI help? Step into this clinic". Times of India.
39. (21 November 2009). "Make attacks on journalists a non-bailable offence". The Hindu.
40. (16 September 2008). "Why Mumbai's Mograpada residents are angry". Rediff.com.
41. (21 March 2010). "Plea to change name of Communal Violence Bill". [[The Hindu]].
42. Outlook (magazine)]] 22–28 April 2008
43. Islamic feminism and Muslim women's rights activism in India: from transnational discourse to local movement – or vice versa? By Nadja-Christina Schneider – Journal of International Women's Studies, Pg 56–57, Special Issue: Gender and Islam in Asia Vol 11, No. 1, November 2009
44. (9 March 2015). "Limits of Islamism". Cambridge University Press.
45. "Islamic Voice". Islamic Voice.
46. (21 August 2009). "Islamic student organisations stage protest against burkha ban". [[The Hindu]].
47. (15 January 2010). "Udupi: Don't be misled by foreign values- Muslim women assert". Mangalorean.com.
48. (1 June 2006). "Indian Affairs Annual 2006 9 Vols By Mahendra Gaur – Social Justice and Empowerments: Events Pg 331, 12-02-2006". Gyan Publishing House.
49. [http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100207/818/tnl-jamaat-e-islami-holds-massive-public.html Jamaat-e-Islami holds massive public meet for Telangana], Yahoo 7 February 04:35 pm {{dead link. (June 2016)
50. [Jamaat-e-Islami's massive meet for Telangana] ''The Indian Express'' 7 February 2010
51. "An overview of Jamat-e-Islmi Kerala State Women's Conference with the theme 'Woman Power for Social Revolution', held at Kuttippuram on Jan 24, 2010". Jihwomenkerala.org.
52. (24 January 2010). "Re-codify Muslim Personal Laws: Jamaat Islami's women wing". Twocircles.net.
53. (7 February 2010). "1st Women Conf. of JIH Kerala Turn Back to Religious Values and Teachings". Radiance Viewsweekly.
54. (25 January 2010). "Change of society through empowerment of women – Yvonne Ridley – Mathrubhumi". Mathrubhumi.com.
55. (25 January 2010). "Ridley denied visa to attend meeting – Gulf Times – Monday 25 January 2010". Gulf Times.
56. (2021-02-17). "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Women's Wing launches nationwide campaign 'Strong Family Strong Society', to fix deteriorating family structure, uphold core values".
57. (2021-02-06). "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President launches logos of E- Magazines Aura and Hadiya".
58. "Tsunami Update From The Tamil Nadu India". Helpinghandonline.org.
59. link. (17 February 2011)
60. (4 January 2009). "Permanent houses given to fish vendors, petty shopkeepers". [[The Hindu]].
61. (19 December 2005). "Govt Urged to Do More to Win Kashmiri Hearts". Arab News.
62. Babu P. George. (20 June 2007). "Local Community's Support for Post-Tsunami Recovery Efforts in an Agrarian Village and a Tourist Destination: A Comparative Analysis – Babu P. George University of Southern Mississippi". Community Development Journal.
63. (28 December 2004). "The day after... a trail of devastation in Azheekal". [[The Hindu]].
64. (29 December 2004). "10 more bodies recovered in Kollam district". [[The Hindu]].
65. (19 December 2008). "46 Muslims killed in Mumbai terrorists attacks". Muslimnews.co.uk.
66. (25 November 2011). "Tamil Nadu Jamaat Constructs Houses for Tsunami Victims". Jamaateislamihind.org.
67. The Milli Gazette, OPI, Pharos Media. "Islamic Relief Committee Gujarat: a significant, laudable role". Milligazette.com.
68. "Acts of Commission, Acts of Omission Housing and Land Rights and the Indian State – A Report to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – Displacement due to the Gujarat Riots".
69. (12 February 2001). "Gujarat Earthquake". The Indian Express.
70. (9 February 2010). "Repair holy places damaged in '02 riots: HC to govt". [[The Times of India]].
71. (19 September 2008). "International Religious Freedom Report 2008". US State Department.
72. (22 March 2010). "Lawyers, civil rights activists form body". [[The Times of India]].
73. (20 February 2010). "APCR to build all-India structure of para-legal workers, 20 February 2010". Twocircles.net.
74. "APCR's Two-Day Legal Workers Camp in WB,26–27 April 2008". Jamaateislamihind.org.
75. (11 April 2010). "Blasts accused facing 'inhuman treatment' in jail". [[The Hindu]].
76. (25 November 2011). "Two-Day Workshop on 'Vision 2016' held at HQ". Jamaateislamihind.org.
77. "Vision 2016 Legal Aid". Vision2016.org.in.
78. "'Encounter' at Batla House: Unanswered Questions".
79. collective at 2. (29 September 2008). "Flaws in Encounter". Thesouthasian.org.
80. (31 December 2004). "The Rediff Interview/APCR coordinator Mahtab Alam 'People are losing faith in security agencies' October 14, 2008". Rediff.com.
81. (June 2016)
82. (4 August 2009). "Stop Militarization- Engage in Dialogue". Sanhati.com.
83. (2020-08-20). "Jamaat launches party, Christian priest is vice-president - Indian Express".
84. (2020-08-20). "A new Jamaat-backed political party - The Hindu".
85. (11 June 2009). "Educational awakening campaign". [[The Hindu]].
86. (3 December 2004). "Jamaat-e-Islami to take up campaign for human rights". [[The Hindu]].
87. (12 December 2004). "In Vijayawada Today – Jamaat-e-Islami Hind: National Human Rights Campaign, women's wing public meeting". [[The Hindu]].
88. (6 August 2008). "An action plan to 'emancipate' Indian Muslims". Thaindian.com.
89. (3 August 2009). "JI Hind unveils vision 2016 for Indian Muslims". The Nation.
90. (8 March 2007). "Jamaat-e-Islami Unveils Muslim Welfare Project". Arab News.
91. "Standpoint – Economic Situation of the Country". Jamaateislamihind.org.
92. (25 November 2011). "3-day session of Central Advisory Committee of Jamaat e Islami Hind". Jamaateislamihind.org.
93. "'Lightning rod for polarisation': Muslim body opposes Uniform Civil Code".
94. (31 December 2006). "Kerala / Kozhikode News : Muslim organisations flay execution of Saddam Hussein". [[The Hindu]].
95. "If we fail Palestine, standing silent against Israel's atrocities, history will never forgive us: Jamaat-e-Islami".
96. Pg 87, Islam & Jihad: Prejudice versus reality By A G Noorani – Palgrave Macmillan, 2002
97. Indiatomorrow, Publisher. (2024-01-29). "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appreciates South Africa's role in dragging Israel to the ICJ, urges India and International Community to press for immediate ceasefire".
98. Desk, F. W.. (2023-11-13). "Jamaat-e-Islami Hind welcomes India's decision to vote in favor of UN resolution against Israeli settlements".
99. (2017-01-05). "T. Arif Ali".
100. "Maulana Mohammad Yusuf Islahi".
101. Ahmad, Ghazala. (2021-04-06). "Former Vice President Of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Prof KA Sidheeq Hassan Passes Away".
102. ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം. (2021-04-06). "പ്രഫ. കെ.എ സിദ്ദീഖ് ഹസൻ അന്തരിച്ചു".
103. ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം. (2021-01-10). "ഡോ. റഫ്അത്ത്: സൗമ്യനായ ധിഷണാശാലി".
104. (2020-11-18). "Ayodhya: Ex-SIMI man is AIMPLB member asking for SC verdict review".
105. (2012-08-07). "Central Leadership".
106. (2022-02-09). "Past Leadership - Jamaat-e-Islami Hind".