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The arrival of Sirajul Haq as the fifth emir of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) is being interpreted variously. Most commonly, however, it is being viewed as the restoration in the Jamaat of the Qazi Hussain Ahmed strain of populist politics fired by a strong desire to evolve into a mainstream political party.
“Sirajul Haq will follow Qazi Hussain’s style of leadership,” one of the top Jamaat leaders from Lahore told Dawn.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity because of party discipline, he said: “He will prove to be more accommodating [in forging alliances with other parties] and avoid controversies because of his experience of working in the coalition government of the MMA [from 2002 to 07] and now with the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”The election of a JI emir has always attracted considerable public interest because of the political ideology it represents and the street power it is supposed to wield, even though the JI has never succeeded in attracting voters to itself. The results have always been predictable, until Haq sprang this surprise.
He emerged as the winner on Sunday as the Jamaat Arakeen (members with voting rights) voted out the sitting emir, Syed Munawwar Hasan, for the first time in the party’s history. If this was not significant enough, he defeated another JI stalwart, Liaquat Baloch, a bit of a pragmatist politician himself with his own constant appeal, particularly in Punjab.
There are two points that need to be discussed. One, how is that the Jamaat broke away with its tradition of never voting out a sitting emir, even if it was accepted that Hasan was a somewhat reluctant candidate for re-election? And, two, if the fight effectively was between two more pragmatic, relatively young contestants in Haq and Baloch, how did the Jamaat members distinguish one from the other?
The answers to these questions can be found in the Jamaat’s politics under Hasan who has always been more of an ideologue in the party. It was quite clear that his style of politics created a craving for a return to the days of his predecessor. This is where leaders such as Baloch and Haq emerged as his likely heirs. It was to a large extent Hasan’s own preferences of partners — which saw the Jamaat allying itself with the PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — that could have given Haq an edge over Baloch.
Dr Hasan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based author and political analyst, who was expecting Baloch to replace Hasan, argued that Haq’s win was a rejection of his predecessor’s “combative style” of politics. “Syed Munawwar’s controversial statements undermined the Jamaat’s image outside the party. Siraj will follow Qazi Hussain to repair the JI image.”
He obviously was referring to the sitting emir’s statement declaring TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a drone strike, a martyr. He didn’t stop there and argued that if an American who died on the battlefield was not a martyr how could those from among the Pakistan army fighting [the American war] be termed as martyrs.
The statement had drawn a strong response from the army, which had called for an unconditional apology from the JI emir for hurting the feelings of the families of the thousands of Pakistani soldiers who had laid down their lives fighting the terrorists. Though the Jamaat defended its leader after the army condemned his remarks, it distanced itself from his statement by saying it represented Hasan’s “personal views”.
The anonymous Jamaat leader agreed with Dr Rizvi. “Syed Munawwar listened more to his heart. The kind of statements he has given in support of the Taliban didn’t represent the party’s stated policy or its culture. We do not have a soft corner for the Taliban. Our party has never favoured militancy. So when they got a chance, our Arakeen gave their decision [against him],” he argued.
While Farid Paracha, another top Jamaat leader from Lahore, agreed that the new JI emir would bring the same ‘concept of change’ as was brought in the party by Qazi Hussain whose protégé Haq is, he rejected ‘speculation’ that the Arakeen had punished Hasan for his controversial statement. “Syed Munawar, who is 73 years old and has some health issues, was reluctant to lead the party for another term. The Markazi Shoora turned down his request but the party Arakeen accepted it by electing a new emir.” He was hopeful that Haq’s election would revitalise the party and its workers.
The JI emir-elect has a public perception of being a hardliner and sympathetic to the militants. Yet both the Jamaat leaders and analysts reject this view about him. “Contrary to his public perception of being a hardliner, Sirajul Haq is a moderate [politician] in the old tradition of the Jamaat,” the anonymous JI leader contended.
People like Dr Rizvi warn against singling Haq out. “The JI as a party is supportive of the Taliban. Why single him out? He could be a bit more sympathetic [towards the militants] for being from the area.” He also rejected speculation that the military establishment engineered his win as part of its strategy to prepare the ground in KP for a post-Nato Afghanistan. “I don’t think the state can influence such a large number of voters [JI Arakeen] to manipulate the party emir’s election.”
While Haq’s victory is seen as a return in the Jamaat of a politically more accommodative era, the defeat of Baloch is being seen as consolidation of the forces in the party that want alliances with political forces like the PTI that are “ideologically more compatible”. “Baloch represents the Punjab party that is more inclined towards forging an alliance with the PML-N. This stance was rejected when Syed Munawwar refused to make electoral adjustments with the PML-N in last year’s elections and chose the PTI over it. The election of Siraj has consolidated that political outlook further,” said a senior journalist who also refused to give his name.
Thus Hasan may be gone, one of his legacies will survive, at least for the time being.
Comments (38) Closed
JI is the only political party of pakistan in which the real islamic democracy are alive.
Bangladesh top court going to ban JI and Maududi literatures.
Who cares.
I was surprised to see a new type of political behavior by JI. Any ways, their system of electing new president is liked by me and my friend who are critics of JI policies.
One way or the other an election like this is a symbol of dynamic democratic culture within the party. JI deserve appreciation for this.
One way or the other it is a reflection of strong electoral system within the party. Jamat Islamic deserves appreciation on this
The joker is out !!
JI has become a joke !!
No matter how much you criticize the jamat, it is still better than PMLN and PPP and MQM because jammat shows more democratic behavior within their party in contrast to these one family/one man parties.
Jamati Islami is a party, which have never been supported in real sense the stance of the people.Now it will more actively support the issues in the out side world and organizations which cannot provide an iota of support to the people of pakistan but can become more dangerous for them.
@Rahimuddin: please enlighten us which country in the history had or have real islamic democracy ?
It appears that the only party, wherein the performance of the leader is important, if not then people within party are free to cast vote against them. A great message for two political parties wherein leadership is transferred through inheritance.
@M. Emad: Bangladesh will become a better nation and evetually Pakistan will become the next Afghanistan.
@amin:But despite being better than all these parties and being so democratic, it could not get any respectable presence in country's parliament. Would you like to comment on it?
Both are different sides of the same coin
@haider : Turkey
@haider : Please consider the neighbouring country Turkey.
"if an American who died on the battlefield was not a martyr" What a ludicrous statement by a 'learned 'mullah Syed Munawar. Americans fighting anywhere in the world are not looking for martyrdom , they don't go out & fight for any Divine cause, - Gone are those days of Crusades. American soldier dies in the interest of his country - no "shahadat' ,no big glorified narrative after his death. He becomes a number who fought for his country & got killed.
Went down because of his foot in mouth disease.
JI in Pakistan should be banned just like Bangladesh. These mullah parties are forever building Caliphate castles in the sky and are loyal to no state.
Tweedle Dee Vs Tweedle Dum. What's the difference? One Joker replacing another?
The religious bigots have been against the creation of Pakistan right from it's inception. They use religion to hoodwink the masses to gain power and are perhaps even worse than our main stream parties! They are sympathizers of the extremist elements and they should be banned like BD has outlawed their brand of politics!
@asif: Wasn't it always? At least electorally.
@A Muslim: Whose neighboring country? Pakistan's? Come on!! No one has yet rearranged the world map to make sure all 'muslim' countries are Pakistan's neighbors. Oh and do you have any idea what's been going on in Turkey? If that's a well functioning 'islamic' (highly arguable) democracy I think I am fine without it.
Doesn't matter who JI select.
JI can only come to the power on the shoulders of hard-line Taliban a.k.a TTP or kinder Taliban a.k.a Imran Khan.
I want jamaat to be among the top parties of Pakistan
Looks like ethnicity based politics has gotten into JI as well. Karachi based Emer Mr. Munawwar has been punished.
@asif: Your comment is lacking decency.
How does a party that actively worked against the making of this country & the Founding father operate here. Shouldn't the public know the facts now. When was the party reformed in this country after parting ways??
@Karachi Wala: That's too much Mr. Karachi Wala. Be a Pakistani and think like a Pakistani. Also for those who say M.Hasan spoke by heart, it is nonsense. Being Emir of the Largest religious party ( as claimed by JI but not true) he should have some common sense to use while speaking as Emir of JI. Firing its erratic leader JI has done the best thing in past 67 years of its existence in Pakistan. Nevertheless I salute their party's internal system which is an example for others specially PPP , PMLN & PTI.
hats off to bangladesh for banning JI for fanning religious hatred - in pakistan this group is hand and foot with the talibans and accept their agenda of islam, only to be in power
JI should leave religion for some one else, quit violence and defaming other politicians and think like a Pakistani. Their loyalties with Saudi Arabia and Taliban will take them no where. Regain your reputation as public service party, such as running a mobile dispensaries and other social services in sixties. Quit issuing fatwas.
@Rahimuddin: What is Islamic democracy? Why do we think there is Islamic attached to every subject under the sky? Islam is a way to guide our inner spiritual selves - which overall affects our behaviour as good human beings. Pray why do we give a religion to everything? Desperate attempt as being exclusive and special and higher than thou. Pathetic.
@M. Emad: Good Move by Bangladesh....Munawar Hassan had tarnished the image of JI soo much that I wished this party could be banned and be branded as terrorist facilitators.... If the Party did not mend itself under siraj now... Govt of Pakistan should immediately BAN this organization. corrupting the minds of young individuals.
@Tariq, Lahore: Let us Pakistanis not forget that this Jamat-e-Islami was one of the Party who stood up against our Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.. These Mullahs were against creation of Pakistan... they should be tried for treason and be banned as organization...
@EXPAT : Somebody need a refresher. ''that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them (American soldiers) out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that that plan is God's plan.'' Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin June 2008. She was not alone, majority of enlisted volunteer soldiers resonated her views in various interviews.
@Muhammad Qasim: What's wrong with Mr. Asif comment JI leaders have made themselves the JI a laughing stock by calling a known terrorist Hakim Ullah Mehsud a shaheed and Osama Bin Laden Syed ul Shuhuda what a nonesense
@Rahimuddin: Please elaborate from history when Muslims have democracy in their societies we had caliphate in our history books but not democracy in any shape either Islamic or unislamic