The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Kerala, has asked its youth organisations to focus on social and cultural issues rather than politics. The Jamaat asked its feeder organisations Solidarity Youth Movement and Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) to reorient themselves in the light of the political ambitions of the fledgling Welfare Party, which the Jamaat supports.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is a movement within Sunni Islam and follows a policy of promoting education, social service, and ecumenical outreach and has involved itself in humanitarian and relief efforts across many parts of India.
“It is only a work adjustment, much like the age criteria for membership of Solidarity or SIO. We are supporting this new political party and we are reorganising so that there is no duplication of work,” said P. Mujeebur Rahman, State general secretary of the Jamaat. A circular issued by him had been handed out among the party cadre asking them to engage in Muslim integration.
“The political stand of the Jamaat will be represented by the new political party. The circular is a sanction for our cadre to align with the newly-formed party,” Mr. Rahman said. He said the SIO would continue its political activities in universities and colleges where they are active.
P. Mohammad Velam, State president of Solidarity, said the organisation would still continue its political action. “We will not discontinue the popular protests that we have started. Our protests will be carried out with the same energy. It is just that our political stand will have much in common with the new political party,” he said.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind spearheads the political activities of the organisation and has represented it in elections. Besides political action, the Jamaat is also involved in activities for Islamic integration.
It is involved in development measures such as setting up madrassas and other educational institutions, setting up scholarships, and family counselling.
The Jamaat’s youth organisation Solidarity has earlier taken part in several public protests against other political powers. The organisation had also been vocal in its support for People’s Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasser Madani. Mr. Velam said Solidarity had taken up campaigns against political corruption and that they had started relief measures for victims of endosulfan poisoning.
