HAFIZ Naeem-ul-Rehman has advised that political parties should engage in dialogue to pull the country out of crisis.The leader of Jamaat-e-Islami has given this good advice. This advice is in line with the character of the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, late Maulana Maudodi. Jamaat-e-Islami is not a conventional political party in the popular sense; it is an Islamic movement with a goal of establishment different from other political parties. In the 1970 elections, Jamaat-e-Islami’s slogan was: “Country belongs to God, Law belongs to Shariah… and Government belongs to the righteous servants of God.”
Who were the righteous servants of God according to Jamaat-e-Islami? It is necessary to answer this question to understand this party. When Jamaat-e-Islami decided to become part of political activities, its approach was not to seek votes from the public like other political parties. Rather, its approach was to elevate individuals and society through education and upbringing to such a standard that as a result, the country would naturally be handed over to the righteous servants of Allah, who would govern in accordance with the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. In the Machi Goth gathering, Jamaat-e-Islami bid farewell to their idealism by deciding to participate directly in the elections.. Only then could a member of the party become a candidate and not go to solicit votes themselves. The party itself used to lead the electoral campaign for the candidate it nominated.
After this decesion, municipal elections were held in Karachi, and Jamaat fielded 19 candidates, out of which 17 won. In this election, for the first time, people voted for candidates solely based on their good reputation, even if they didn’t know them. This was also a form of idealism. Despite the passage of time, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidates still do not solicit votes like ordinary political workers. Osama Razi is currently appointed as the Deputy Amir Jamat- e -Islami Pakistan. There may be many aspects of his personality that differ, but in the past and present, he has always demonstrated sincerity and sacrifice for the party. He has never sought prominence or praise, in a viral video of his conversation in his electoral constituency can be seen. His conversation about how restrained and dignified electoral activities should be is a fine example. He informed the attendees that He is associated with the Islamic movement since his student days and this time; Jamaat-e-Islami has given him a ticket for the National Assembly. With this, he concluded his talk. This was the same approach of Jamaat-e-Islami that earned it respect and value among the people. This was the reason why whenever there were elections; Jamaat would receive 15,000 to 25,000 votes in every constituency. The second reason was the sacrifices made in the struggle for the Islamic constitution in the country, including the ordeal faced by Maulana Maududi. The third reason was the commitment of the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami to democracy, who, for this purpose, rose above theoretical divisions and formed alliances.
This situation persisted until 1977, but after 1985, Jamaat’s vote bank gradually declined. Why did this happen? To understand this, we don’t intend to create bitterness by referring to history; Hafiz Naeem-ul-Rehman’s recent statement is sufficient. It seems contradictory to Jamaat’s classical temperament to propose negotiations, when he say to seek forgiveness from the people who ended the PTI-led government, this statement is not in line with the party’s historic democratic principles because Maulana Maudodi always spoke according to its principles.
In 2018, PTI’s government was established through illegal means and undemocratic methods. To establish this government, Nawaz Sharif was deprived of justice, meaning the incumbent government was ousted, and Jamaat-e-Islami never expressed regret over it. The role of Sirajul Haq in the Panama case has become a permanent reference in history because this event is one of those fundamental events that weakened democracy in the country. Then, after coming into power, the PTI government not only rejected cooperation offered by the opposition leader Mr. Shahbaz Sharif for economic stability but also fueled the fire of revenge by orchestrating sabotage in the country. Deprived of practical wisdom, this government created severe political, social, and economic crises in the country. It not only deprived Pakistan of its external friends but also deepened rifts with neighboring Muslim brother countries. It angered China, accused it, wrapped up economic projects, tried to normalize relations with Israel, and aligned with President Trump, providing an opportunity on August 5, 2019, to change the constitutional position of occupied Kashmir. They led a campaign for moral degradation in the country. My body, my choice protests emerged from the government’s patronage. PTI’s founder is still swinging the axe on the foundations of the state.
Hafiz Naeem-ul-Rehman’s recommendation explicitly conveys the message that despite talking about reconciliation, they sympathize with PTI. People think that if they spoke out in support of PTI and its leader on the basis of any principle, they would also condemn the oppression done against Nawaz Sharif, but that never happened. If they had done so, their personality would have exemplified a just peace, but they have chosen to talk about reconciliation while standing in PTI’s camp. Unfortunately, such recommendations rarely attract attention.
The purpose of this arguments is to make it feel like a new beginning when someone like Hafiz Naeem-ul-Rehman is chosen as the leader of Jamaat. The damage inflicted on the party by the Cold War has been repaired, after this election; there is hope for its reformation. If this happens, it can be expected that Jamaat-e-Islami will succeed in restoring its confidence and reputation. However, if Jamaat’s political stance in the eyes of the public is aligned with the passionate sympathies of PTI, then it will neither increase its popularity nor reduce its alienation.
It’s a strange coincidence that it was only in April 2023 when Sirajul Haq was actively seeking reconciliation with PTI and its leaders after losing power through a vote of no confidence by the PDM. Now, it’s April 2024, and Hafiz Naeem-ul-Rehman is once again in the field with the same proposal. It’s not necessary for Jamaat-e-Islami to become an ally of the Muslim League-N, but it’s essential that whatever position they adopt is in accordance with the demands of justice, ensuring democracy and constitutional governance in the country, and efforts for economic improvement are not sabotaged. And it should not be perceived that Jamaat-e-Islami is lightweight for that unfaithful person who does not know what loyalty is.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
