THIS is apropos of Amjad Bhatti's write-up, 'Reforming student politics' (April 11). Certain facts about Islamic Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) are not mentioned accurately, especially its foundation.

It is correctly mentioned that the IJT was formed to counter leftist elements in the country, but is incorrect to suggest that it was formed in the 70s/ 80s. The IJT was formed much earlier.

After the assassination of Hassan al Banna, the founder of Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt, in 1949 at Cairo, his son-in-law, Said Ramadan, (Jamiat's architect and a frequent visitor of Karachi, then capital) took asylum in Pakistan.

He helped to arrange the first meetings of the World Muslim Congress in Karachi. This conference was promptly denounced by Pakistan's left, as “.... having been organised by Anglo-American imperialism...”

In Pakistan, Ramadan closely worked with Maulana Maududi and his Jamaat-i-Islami. At that time politics in Pakistan was divided amongst radical Islamist, modern Islamist, secular nationalists, the rightists and leftists. The country was being drawn into pro-western military alliances.

This was also the time when Ramadan helped Maulana Maududi to organise IJT, as mentioned by Robert Dreyfuss in his book, Devil's Game (pages 74-75, published in 2005 in the US). He further mentioned

“....a muscular phalanx of fanatical Islamic students that battled Pakistan's left, especially university campuses. The so-called Islamic Student Society known by its Urdu initials as IJT, modeled on Mussolini's fascist Squadristi, was a Ramadan project....

“Although organised under the supervision of the (Islamic Group), the IJT was greatly influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. Between 1952 and 1955 Ramadan helped IJT leaders formalise an administrative structure and devise an organisational strategy.

“The most visible marks of the Brotherhood influence are IJT's 'study circle' and all-night study session, both of which were means to indoctrinating new members and fostering organisational bond,” according to one expert, Vali Raza Nasr.

“The often armed IJT thugs clashed repeatedly with the leftwing students on campuses. Eggs tossed gradually gave way to more serious clashes, especially in Karachi and Multan,” wrote Nasr.

“Anti leftist students activism had become the IJT calling and increasingly determined in its course. [The IJT] became a soldiers brigade which would fight for Islam against its enemies — secularists and leftists — within the government and without.”

In the summer of 1953, Ramadan was ushered to meet US president Eisenhower at his Oval office in the White House, who thanked him for his prized services in creating an Arc of Islam against the Communists. Ramadan at present lives in Geneva. At 82, he is quiet healthy. I wonder if someone from JI or IJT ever visited Geneva to see the guru.

KUNWAR KHALID YUNUS
Karachi