I was delighted to watch an interview of Sheikh Muhammad Hassan Sahib, chief of Jama’at-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir on Kashir Channel on 6th Feb. 2010. I was also amazed to observe that the channel interviewed a personality from the organization which always has been “communal and separatist” in the eyes of “nationalists.” The host of the programme, Shakir Kashmiri asked the guest about the Jama’at establishment, its origin, purpose of formation in the state, its link with politics etc. Amir-e-Jama’at answered the questions in a detailed manner. Hassan Sahib made it clear that Islam is not a name of some customs but it is code of life, and politics cannot be separated from Islam. He cleared that Islam and politics are not two separate entities and that was the reason Jama’at took part in assembly elections in 1975. Hassan Sahib said that Jama’at had opened many schools in the valley to educate the young generation about Islam and the day-to-day affairs. He threw light on the founders of the organization like Moulana Sad-ud-Din Tarabali (RA), Moulana Ahrar Sahib (RA), Moulana Hakeem Ghulam Nabi Sahib (RA), Moulana Saif-ud-Din Qari Sahib (RA). At initial stage these people had to face many difficulties, both financially and physically to spread, communicate, their cause. Those days there was communication gap and non-availability of transport and as such founders had to travel sometimes on foot to present the Jama’at objectives before the masses. However, Jama’at became successful in their mission but their success was not tolerable to their opponents. As a result their offices, educational institutions were banned. So many times its leaders were arrested. During the past 20 years most of its leaders, activists, and sympathizers were brutally killed by the forces. But the Jama’at stood like a rock and is presently alive and functioning smoothly. But it is unfortunate to see that Jama’at no longer organizes weekly meetings (Ijtimaah). In the past these meetings were organized every Sunday in every locality. Ijtimaah and meetings are essential at a time when corruption, materialism and ignorance are eating into the vitals of our society.
Tufail Ahmad Tarabali
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Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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