Munawar Hassan

Syed Munawar Hassan (Urdu: سید منور حسن ) is the Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami of Pakistan.

Syed Munawwar Hasan hails from a distinguished family, based at Delhi before the Partition of the sub-continent. He was born in August 1944 and as his family opted for Pakistan, migrated to Karachi in 1947. He obtained Masters in Sociology (1963) and Islamic Studies (1966) from Karachi University. As a student, he marked his presence as eloquent speaker, extempore orator and editor of the college magazine, while being a good player of badminton. Syed Munawwar Hasan

Syed Munawwar Hasan joined National Students Federation (NSF) - a student body with leftist leaning - and was elected its President in 1959. The real change appeared in his life when he got a chance to come closer to the activists of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) Pakistan and studied the writings of Mawlana Sued Abul A’ala Mawdudi. As a result, he joined IJT in 1960, became its member and soon he was elected as President of its Karachi University Unit, Karachi City Unit and member of the Central Executive Council. Later, he reached its top slot and became all-Pakistan President in 1964 and served in that capacity for three consecutive terms. During his tenure of the President, the Jamiat organized several campaigns mobilizing public opinion regarding education problems, system of education, women education etc. etc.

He joined the Islamic Research Academy, Karachi as a Research Assistant (1963) and raised to its Secretary Generalship (1969). Under his supervision, the Academy published 70 scholarly books. He also rendered services as Managing Editor of the Monthly ‘The Criterion’ and ‘The Universal Message’, Karachi.

Syed Munawwar Hasan became member of Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan in 1967. Served Karachi unit as Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Deputy Ameer and Ameer of the city. He was also elected to the Central Shura and the Executive Council of the Jama’at. He represented Jama’at at several platforms, including United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA). Contesting National Assembly election in 1977, he secured the highest votes in Pakistan. He was Assistant Secretary General of Jama’at-e-Islami Pakistan in 1992-93, and became Secretary General in 1993.

He took part in a number of international conferences and seminars and has visited USA, UK, Canada, Middle East and many countries of the South East and South East Asia.

Syed Munawwar Hasan is well versed in English. He is a welcome speaker in the country and abroad. Many of his speeches, mostly in Urdu, are also available in cassette form. He heads a number of planning and research bodies within the Jamaat.

See also

* Jamaat-e-Islami