KARACHI: Syed Muna­war Hasan, a former chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, pas­sed away on Friday after a long illness. He was 78.

The JI stalwart was admitted to a private hospital in North Nazimabad a couple of weeks ago and since then was battling multiple diseases from which he had been suffering for the past few years.

“After initial treatment he was moved to the hospital’s intensive care unit,” acco­rding to a Jamaat spok­e­sman. “He was put on the ventilator last week after his condition deteriorated, but couldn’t survive.”

Munawar Hasan is survived by wife Ayesha Mun­a­war, who is a leader of the JI women’s wing, a daughter and a son.

Born in New Delhi in Aug­ust 1941, Mr Hasan migrated to Paki­stan with his parents, who were teachers in their neighbourhood.

The late leader did his masters in sociology from the University of Karachi in 1963 and then another masters in Islamic Studies from the same university in 1966.

It was during his student days when he showed a passion for political activism and joined the National Students Federation, the most popular platform for student politics in those days.

The party’s leadership was quick to spot his potential and lent him an opportunity to hone his talent by electing him as their Karachi president.

But an ideological shift was in the offing. Munawar Hasan met the founding chief of Ja­m­aat, Maulana Abul Aala Maududi, a num­ber of times. These sessions inspired him to change course and join the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba — a student wing of JI — in 1960.

He rose to several positions in the student organisation and was eventually elected its Nazim-i-Aala (Pakistan chief) for three consecutive terms.

After completing his education and student activism, he became a part of the Jamaat-i-Islami in 1968.

He served as the party’s Karachi chief and its secretary general before reaching the top. In 2009, he was elected as its fourth chief after Qazi Hussain Ahmed stepped down.

In the 1977 general election, Mr Hasan was the country’s highest vote-getter, defeating poet and academic Jamiluddin Aali from a Karachi constituency.

The latter was a candidate of the Pakis­tan Peoples Party.

Known as an outspoken and straightforward politician, he often earned applause both from his supporters and rivals. But at the same time Mr Hasan landed his party in the soup more than once by lambasting the security establishment.

Munawar Hasan supervised the publication of over 70 books and research papers while serving as director of the Islamic Research Academy, a testament to his academic inclinations in the midst of a hectic political life. Condolences messages and tributes poured in from the country’s political leadership and different segments of society. Many called his death a loss of a “civilised and honest leader”.

Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, said in his tweet: “Grieved to learn about the passing away of former emir of Jamaat-i-Islami, Syed Muna­war Hassan. His services to Pakistan and com­mitment to Islam were unwavering.May Allah rest his soul in peace. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family & JI workers.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, said: “I spent a lot of time with Syed Munawar Hasan. He was a man with a happy disposition. He made a valuable contribution to politics.”

Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz said Mr Hasan was a strong voice for Muslims across the world.

“I feel so sad on his death. He was a humble, civilised and believer in a true democratic order. It’s a great loss for Muslims around the world,” Mr Faraz said.

Namaz-i-Janaza will be offered on Saturday (today) after Zuhar prayers at Eidgah Ground, Nazimabad. He will be laid to rest at Sakhi Hasan graveyard.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2020