Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba

Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT) (Urdu/Arabic/Persian: اسلامي جميعت طلبه, "Islamic Organization of Students"), is the largest students' independent organization in Pakistan. Jamiat was founded on 23 December 1947 in Lahore, Pakistan and is one of the oldest organisations in the country. Jamiat has attempted to increase their ideals of decency among the public and glorify the image of Islam specially in colleges and university campuses across Pakistan. Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba is one of the very few organizations in Pakistan that are not based on caste or creed. The feminine counterpart of the same ideology but with a complete, separate and independent structure and organisation is known as Islami Jamiat-e-Talibaat.

History

In November, 1947 Zafarullah Khan and his companions decided to organize the student body and contacted many students through out the country. And later it was announced through newspapers that on 21 st December, 1947 the Islam loving students would gather in Lahore . As a result twenty five students attended the convention. And Islami Jamiat Talaba was formed on 23rd December, 1947.

The first Convention continued till three days (21 st December to 23 rd December). In this convention, the participants told their past performance as they were already working in their colleges for Islamic cause. They told each other that how they were working and after long discussions, the future program was decided.

In this convention, Maulana Syed Abu-al-Aala Maududi, Naeem Siddique, Abdul Majeed Qureshi addressed to participants and explained them the various aspects of Islam and also the role of the students for Islamic cause. On the last day of the convention, the formation of new student organization named [To learn more visit www.jamiat.org.pk] Islami Jamiat Talaba was announced.

The Name (Islami Jamiat Talaba)

On the last day of founding convention, the last speaker was Maulana Syed Abul Ala Maududi. Before his address, the topic of discussion was the “Name” of future organization. The question was asked before Maulana Maududi and his reply was that the name may be “Anjuman –e- Naujawanan-e-Islam”. But the participants did not accept this proposal and discussion about the name proceed. During this discussion, Maulana Nasrullah Khan Aziz (Late) asked about the problem. Participants told him about the problem and said that the name should be such that in it “talaba(student)”, “Ijtimayat(organization)” and Islam, all three must appear. He replied that then the name should be “Islami Jamiat Talaba” and all the participants accepted it with joy and then it was decided that all the participants of the convention would be the members of newly born organization.

The initial objectives decided were defined in three basic points:

:. To organize Students in order to serve Islam. :. To produce the fondness of studying Islamic Literature in students. :. To prepare students for certain field for future Islamic Society.

1948 to 1953

The founding members of Islami Jamiat Talaba initiated work at their hometown and colleges, initially they experienced a fierce resistence by the already established Student wings, one to imperative to mention is NSF(National Students Federation).

President (Nazim-e-Ala) Zafarullah Khan visited various colleges and University of Punjab and organised public speeches inside the campus.

The same time Introductory pamphlets and initial constitution (rules and regulations) was published.

New "Maqaam"(working unit) were formed in almost all regions of Punjab, more "Maqaamat"(working units) started working at Karachi and Peshawar mainly the Karachi University.

Moreover, Organisation Structure was also started to be formulated and initially five departments were formed under the Islami jamiat Talaba "Markaz"(secretariat) namely:

:. Department of Information and Publication :. Department of Public Aid :. Department of Finance :. Department of Arabic Teaching :. Department of Research

Seerat Day and Mushaira was organized by Pakistan Markaz under the president ship of Maulana Zafarullah Khan. Professional structured work of the organisation was also established in Lahore , Faisalabad, Peshawar, Bhawalpur and Karachi. In 1950, The Nazm (organisation) of Islami Jamiat started in East Pakistan.Islami Jamiat tried to stop first year fooling, started the publication of the weekly 'Azzam' from Lahore, and also The work of Islami Jamiat started in Colleges or High Schools.

In order to resolve the problems of students of Medical College Lahore, 26 days strike was observed. which ended in a Great Victory for Islami Jamiat Talaba.At this poing, strugle for the establishment of Islamic Education System and struggle for solving students problem were also included in the objectives of Islami Jamiat Talaba. In 1951, Central Secretariat of Islami Jamiat Talaba Pakistan was shifted to Karachi andPakistan was divided into five working units called Halqajat(working zones, constituted of several working units). Publication of Jamiat Literature in Sindh, Bhawalpur, NWFP and East Pakistan. Also the publication of Jamiat Literature in Bangla Language.The first ten days training camp organized at Lahore for students. Educational and Literary activities were initiated in Lahore and Bhawalpur. In 1952, although it was already prepared, the implementatio of Constitution was started and the publication of "Student Voice" started from Karachi.Islami Jamiat participated in college Union Election for the first time and announced 8 point charter of demand for Islamic Educational System and launched campaign for it.Islami Jamiat started contacting Islamic Organizations abroad.and Central Secretariat was again transferred to Lahore.

1953 to 1958

In 1953, Islami Jamiat started a Signature Campaign for the Islamic Constitution of Pakistan, until than Pakistan was not a Islamic Republic. A Significant progress in student welfare was also observed by the critics of Islami Jamiat and Islami Jamiat also protested against the killings of student in Karachi University.Islami Jamiat started a campaign against the military agreement with America and for which a delegation of Islami Jamiat Talaba met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. At that time, again, the Central Secretariat was shifted back to Karachi.

In 1954, Islami Jamiat Talaba protested against punishment and imprisonment of leaders of Egypt Islamic Party "Akhwan-ul-Muslimoon" "Muslim Brotherhood".Although it was not long since its formation until 1954 but Islami Jamiat Talaba started to emerge as a notable Student stronghold especially a grand progress was observed in work of Islami Jamiat in East Pakistan.Another Publication of Bulletin named "Pyami" started by Islami for school students from Karachi.and started a Campaing against Obscenity in HyderabadIt took Islami Jamiat Talaba a span of 7 years to leave the first mark of its success on the Heart, Mind and Soul of students of Pakistan when Islami Jamiat won the first Union Election of Urdu College, Karachi.

Islami Jamiat being always on the front line of social work especially for the Islamic World started the support of demand of liberation of Palestine and hold a Strong Protest against massacre in North Africa by demonstrating against massacre of Muslims in front of French Consulate by gathering up more than 3000 students. Not only on the international scene, Islami Jamiat became the front line the poor people of flood affected areas of Punjab by collecting the food and water rationing for the affectees.

In 1956, Islami Jamiat demonstrated for "Judagana" elections.Another example of Islami Jamiat Talaba's thought and sight for Muslim Ummah was when the Day of Algeria was celebrated.Islami Jamiat established a Algeria Committee and strongly condemned the French Aggression. Not only Algeria, but Islami Jamiat condemned the role of France, Britain and Israel against their part in Suez Canal Conflict.At this point struggle for Islamic Educational System continued and the publication of Sindhi Bulletin started from Hyderabad.

Important milestones of year 1957 includes the protest day against India on aggression of Kashmir, from Khyber to Chittagang, Akhwan Day to condemn the Egyptian aggression against Akhwanul Muslimeen. At this point Islami Jamiat Talab participated and got succeded in Union Elections in Hyderabad, Bhawalpur, Gujranwala and Khulna after the initial success in Karachi.Islami Jamiat experienced a significant progress in Department of International Relations. In 1958, Islami Jamiat hold a rally against French oppression in Algeria in Lahore, however, as it was not liked by the Govt. the than, it ordered police to beat the demonstrator.Islami Jamiat talaba protested against pro-Hindu policies of Awami league's Provincial Government in East Pakistan (present day bangladesh.

Struggle for solving student's problem continues, while Attack on Nazim-e-Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba East Pakistan named "Mohammed Ali" was strongly condemned and Government was held liable.Until this time Islami Jamiat, although quite influential, but yet was not in power was not liked by many Governing officials. 1958's Ayub Khan's Martial Law brought more distress, challenges & difficulties for Islami Jamiat after takeover of Military(Martial Law).

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Islami Jamiat Talba East Pakistan Wing (Islami Chatro ShanGho) decided to help and save the Pakistan to fight against India and announced the Battle (Jihad) wing in the name of Al-Badar. As a result of taking part in the battle 10,000 members were killed in the battlefield to save East Pakistan from falling in the hands of India.

Islami Jamiat Talba believes in the Oneness of God (Allah) and that Muhammad is the last prophet of Allah. Islami Jamiat Talba through his movement, succeeded to declare the Ahmadis (Qadianis) the non-Believers in the national law of Pakistan.

Islami Jamiat Talba's Central secretariat is located in the city of Lahore in Pakistan.

Jamiat has a conviction that without the implementation of Islamic laws, the society can never be converted into Islamic culture and cannot be able to reflect the directions of Islamic teachings onto the world. Jamiat has always tried for the betterment of Pakistan regardless, whose ever is the ruler of Pakistan. Students are those who have been affected more by the infraction of rulers in many ways in Pakistan.

Therefore, many impediments and constraints came into various shapes in the way of political struggle for the sovereign Pakistan. the ban on students' union in academic institutions played a major role to limit the civil society to play its role in nursing the political culture of dialogue and debate. Jamiat always won the field of debate and dialogue in the institution through its effective and merit based socio-political activities. Jamiat produced a cadre of visionary students who played a positive role in Pakistani society. The students have abominated the bars produced by the rulers because it was due to the thought that students be avoided to involve in issues relating political concerns and national interests of the country. Hence, yet, our universities are unable to restore ban on students' union despite the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan has adjourned through its landmark decision to make necessary arrangements for students' elections in the universities and colleges of Pakistan.The new prime minister Yousuf Raza Geelani announced to lift the ban on students union but still there does not seems to be implemented as there are reservations from the military allies of the present government. In fact the main authority is still the military junta which is not in favour of nourishment of the nursery for political training to continue it's rule for ever in Pakistan through conspiracies and blackmailing. Jamiat always was the target of these elements and the man was focussed to crush the voice of Jamiat, which in turn is the voice of visionary Pakistanis.

Leadership

*President: Atique-ur-Rehman, L.L.B from Punjab University (Nazim-e-Aala)
*Secretary General: Syed Abdur Rasheed, S.M. Law College, Karachi University (Motamid-e-Aam)
*Assistant Secretary General: Hafiz Muhammad Hassan Punjab University
*Assistant Secretary General: Muhammad Shoaib Khan, L.L.B from University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Muzaffarabad

Criticism

IJT has been widely criticized by many landlords, modernists, regionists, ethnic parties and military supported parties in Pakistan. Its strong hold in Karachi's & Lahore’s educational institutes has leaded to many violent outbursts. Colleges like Government Civilines College, Government Science College and its present desire to take hold of private institutions. Punjab University on of Pakistan’s leading educational center which is claimed to be in one of biggest universities world wide. Portraying themselves as student foundation IJT is mostly political directed by Jamat-e-Islami which is one of dominant parties in Pakistan.

External links

* [http://www.jamiat.org.pk Official web site] (Updated Daily)
* [http://www.sialkotjamiat.org Islami Jamiat Talba Sialkot] (website)
* [http://www.karachijamiat.org Islami Jamiat Talba Karachi] (website)
* [http://www.pindijamiat.org Islami Jamiat Talba Rawalpindi] (website)
* [http://kashifhafeez.com/mazameen_large.php?path=2007-11-19&
]
* [http://www.jasarat.com/mmdetails.php?date=24-11-2007&file=02&category=columns/ Another column clarifying Jamiat's correct stance in 14th November event]
* [http://www.jhelum-today.com A Student News Paper] (Updated Daily)jamaat e islami azad jammu & kashmir: www.jiajk.org.pk