Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan
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Jamaat-e-Islami (Urdu: جماعتِ اسلامی, "Islamic Assembly" Jamaat, JI) was an Islamic political movement founded in South Asia by Syed Ab'ul Ala Maududi in 1941. Today it is one of the largest components of the coalition of religious parties, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, in Pakistan. Members are often referred to, usually by others, as Jamaatis. The latter is also used as an adjective for certain political viewpoint or attitude.
History
The Jamaat-e-Islami was founded in South Asia by Syed Ab'ul Ala Maududi in 1941. Although its original purpose was to promote Islamic values and practices in South Asia, it originally objected to the Pakistan movement and said that Islam was a universal religion not subject to national boundaries. It changed its position, however, once the decision was made to division of South Asiaon the basis of religion. In 1947 Maududi redefined the JI's purpose as the establishment of an Islamic state in Pakistan. Following partition the branches of the movement which remained in India was converted into a separate organization, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hind. That organization does not engage in active politics, but keeps its activities to philanthropy.
In the legislative elections of Pakistan on October 20, 2002, Jamaat-e-Islami got 11.3% of the popular vote and 53 out of 272 elected members.
Branches
Student Wing
The Jamaat's student wing is known as the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, also known as the Jamiat (pronounced "juh-mee-at") or 'IJT.' The Jamiat is known for its heavy handed approach - bordering on terrorism - and for terrorising the groups with opposing views. Use of excessive force by Jamiat in educational institutes has actually fuelled anti-Jamiat feelings resulting in creation of parties like MQM and its associated student wing. These in turn considerably reduced Jamiat’s influence in places like Karachi and Hyderabad. In the 1960s and the 1970s it was successfully challenged by Pakistan's two main left-wing student parties, National Students Federation and Democratic Students Federation. It lost most student body elections against these two parties, but gained ground after the arrival of General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq's right-wing dictatorship in 1977. However, ever since the late 1980s, the IJT has lost a lot of support and power especially in the face of the rise of Mohajir Quami Movement's student wing, the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Federation in Karachi and Muslim Students Federation and People's Students Federation elsewhere in the country. The Jamiat also has a wing/counterpart for female students called the Islami Jamiat-e-Taalibaat.
Activities
The Jamat is very active in the field of Dawah, Tarbiyah and Tanzeem almost in all the areas of Pakistan.
It has a strong body in each province which is further divided in cities/zones and sectors.
Jamat has also its unions for Doctors, teachers and workers and the same is in the female wing of jamat Halqa Khawateen The Jamat is accused of worsening the political situation in Pakistan by engaging in muscular politics.[1]
Offshoot
The Tanzeem-e-Islami is headed by Dr. Israr Ahmed.[2] is an offshoot of Jamaat-e-islami.
See also
List of political parties in Pakistan
Personalities
Islamic
The Jamaat is often mentioned as a major Islamic party, being the largest "religious party" in one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. Topics related to the wider discussion include: