Jamaat-i Islami
Jamaat-i Islami (Arabic: جماعة الإسلام, Turkish: İslami Cemaat) is a Pakistani Islamic revivalist party founded by Mawlana Abu al-Ala Mawdudi in 1941 in pre-partition India. This organization emphasizes reformation of society through education and conversion, rather than through coercion.
Etymology
The term Jamaat-i Islami translates to “Islamic Group” or “Islamic Society” in English. In Arabic, it is written as جماعة الإسلام, and in Turkish, it is İslami Cemaat.
Founding and Ideology
- Founder: Mawlana Abu al-Ala Mawdudi
- Year: 1941
- Place: Pre-partition India
The political agenda originally included training a pioneering “Islamic elite” to rejuvenate Islam nationally by mobilizing the masses using religious symbols and ideals.
Historical Context and Political Activism
The party’s political activism in the 1940s and 1950s culminated in confrontation with the government over religion’s role in politics. In 1951, Jamaat-i Islami began participating directly in elections. It attempted to undermine Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s regime by leveraging religious sentiments and became a major political and ideological force in General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime, holding significant governmental offices and influencing state policy toward the introduction of Islamic law.
Decline and Vulnerability
The party’s fortunes dwindled when perceived as co-opted by Zia’s regime. As General Zia fell out of favor, so did Jamaat-i Islami. Despite this downturn, Jamaat-i Islami maintains its influence through its organizational structure and manipulation of religious factors in Pakistan’s political balance.
Social and Cultural Influence
The party exerted substantial influence over students, the bureaucracy, and the military. In the 1980s, Jamaat-i Islami played a strategic role in the Afghan resistance and continues to be active in advocating for Kashmir’s freedom from India. It has also established extensive contacts with Islamic revivalist movements in the Middle East.
Recommended Reading
- “Islamic Revivalism in Pakistan” by Husain Haqqani.
- “The Quiet Revolution: The Struggle for the Soul of Islam” by Leila Ahmed.
Takeaways
- Founding Year: 1941
- Significant Figures: Mawlana Abu al-Ala Mawdudi
- Key Locations: Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan
- Radical Influence: Politically influenced General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime, dealing with Islamic law implementation and social influence.
- Decline: Politically vulnerable post-Zia era yet maintaining social clout.
Conclusion
Jamaat-i Islami, founded in 1941, remains a significant yet complex force in Pakistan and beyond. The party’s focus on societal reformation via education and symbolic mobilization reflects a strategy of influencing culture and politics without direct confrontation. Despite political ups and downs, its strong ties with students, bureaucracy, and the military underscore its enduring legacy and impact on Islamic revivalist movements.
