No controversy with Geelani: Ameer JeI

Jamaat not formed to pursue K-issue: Ameer JeI

• Geelani suggested making it core issue; sought Jamaat’s permission to float TeH 
• Property matter will be resolved within minutes when he returns from Delhi

Daanish Bin Nabi

Jan 27 Srinagar: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Muhammad Abdullah Wani here Monday said Jamaat  was not formed to plead Kashmir  case and the senior  separatist leader Syed Ali  Geelani, as a member of the  Jamaat, had suggested the  religo-socio-political outfit  to make Kashmir issue the  frontline issue.  Talking to Rising Kashmir at his office, the Jamaat Ameer said Jamaat was not formed to plead Kashmir case.   “For Jamaat-e-Islami, Kashmir problem is one of the issues not the main issue,” Wani said.   The Jamaat chief also highlighted the role of the senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani tried to play in making the resolution of Kashmir issue the core issue for Jamaat.  “Syed Ali Geelani sahab firstly was a member of Muslim Conference and later Jamaat not on joined Jamaat-e-Islami,” Wani said. “Geelani sahab remained associated with the Jamaat almost for 50 years.”  The Jamaat chief said Geelani was more interested in politics and suggested Kashmir issue should be given top priority.  “When Jamaat refused to have Kashmir issue as a frontline issue, Geelani sahab, with the proper permission of the Jamaat, formed his own political party and named it Tehreek-e- Hurriyat,” Wani said.   The Jamaat chief said in this manner, Geelani was able to give his entire time to the ‘Kashmir cause’ and it was with proper discussions and deliberation that Geelani separated from them.  “Jamaat still support Geelani sahab,” he said.  “Jamaat has not given up on Kashmir issue but we are taking up all the issue of the society simultaneously.” About the recent controversy surrounding the residence and office of Geelani at Hyderpora, the Jamaat chief said when armed rebellion started after 1988, Geelani was head of political wing of  Jamaat while Maulana Hakeem Ghulam Nabi  Sahab was Ameer Jamaat at that time.  “To carry out his work, he was in need of an office and residential house and Jamaat purchased a house in Hyderpora for him and on papers it was named after Syed Ali Geelani,” Wani said. “It is the policy of Jamaat that every property is named after individuals and not on Jamaat’s name and same is the case with Geelani’s residence and office.” The Jamaat chief said by the time militancy was at its peak, there were continuous attacks on Geelani and his family.  “These attacks were a big concern for Jamaat and Jamaat decided to build another house in front of his residence so that it works as a shield  to protect him and his family,” he said. “As Geelani was in need of an office, Jamaat’s Shoora decided to have this outer house as Geelani’s office and had the property in his name as well.”  Wani said both the properties were in Geelani’s name for record but belonged to Jamaat.   “On papers it’s not written that the property belongs to Jamaat’s political wing’s head but as Syed Ali Geelani son of Peer Mohammad Shah,” the Jamaat chief said.   “The property was named after Geelani only because he was the head of political wing and when Geelani distanced himself from Jamaat and formed his own party, at that time a final decision was not taken by Shoura about the property.”  He said the only decision taken was that until  Geelani was alive, he could use this property as  his residence and office.  “Geelani sahib has misunderstood the whole process and thinks that property belongs to him and donated it,” he said. “This is the only confusion and Jamaat today has the same stand till Geelani is alive he can use the property in every manner.”   Wani said if Geelani sahib passes away, then Jamaat Shoura would decide what to do with the property.  “It can donate it to Tehreek-e-Hurriyat or take it back from them,” he said. “There is no controvers  but just confusion and being the head of  Jamaat, I have the authority to donate this property  to Geelani sahab or Shoura can decide to  donate this property to Geelani.”  The Jamaat chief said if Geelani even asks for  one more house, Jamaat was ready to provide him  with a third house.   “The matter will be resolved within minutes  hen Geelani sahab returns from New Delhi,”  he said.  

No controversy with Geelani: Ameer JeI

Jamaat-e-Islami is a socio-religious-political organization founded in British India by a Muslim revivalist Abul Ala Maudoodi in 1941. In Jammu and Kashmir JeI’s foundation was laid by Maulana Ghulam Ahmad Ahrar in 1946. The current Emir (Head) of Jamaat- e-Islami Kashmir is Mohammad Abdullah Wani who hails from Budgam. In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir’s Online Editor Daanish Bin Nabi, he talks about recent spat with Hurriyat (G) particularly on ownership rights. Excerpts: 

• JeI works for the implementation of the rule of Caliphate 

• Every JeI member has to contribute to the party fund

 • It is with proper discussions and deliberation that Geelani separated from us 

• Jamaat is not participating in the upcoming elections 

• JeI believes in democratic ways but Indian democracy stops at Banihal tunnel 

• We have example of companions of our beloved Prophet SAW, Jamaat only follows them 

• 99 percent of our cadre is youth 

• ·         What is Jamaat-e-Islami party manifesto?

The mission of JeI is to guide people towards the true path. Allah created universe and gave Adam different means and laws to sustain life. He provided Adam with Islam as the only way of life. One must understand Islam is not a religion but a way of life. Allah has sent His prophets with holy books to every community right from the start of Adam. And at last Allah sent His last and final messenger Prophet Mohammad SAW and holy book Quran. JeI believes in carrying on with the mission of the righteous guided prophets and caliphate.  This is what is happening all over world on different party names. In Kashmir it’s the JeI who is carrying this mission forward in accordance with teachings of Quran. JeI works for the implementation of the rule of Caliphate. Muslims used to have own Caliphate till the disintegration of Ottoman Caliphate.  Now JeI is trying to a return to Quran and Hadith to re-establish the Caliphate. This is our party manifesto.  

• ·         What has Jamaat achieved in last 60 years in Kashmir?

Firstly, we have people associated with Jamaat working with government. We have people in secretariat, bar council, universities, colleges, schools. After Sheikh Abdullah banned Jamaat schools post 1977 elections, we had around 54,000 students enrolled in our schools. We still have around more than 350 educational intuitions in which there are four higher secondary schools and two degree colleges. Out of these two degree colleges, we have one separate for boys and another one for girls. We teach Quran as a compulsory subject there. We have separate departments for women at every district and tehsil level. We can’t change people overnight. To change people’s mind is not an easy task and we are toiling to make it happen so that we have a just society. Our program is not emotional and we don’t want to change people by force. Our program is purely based on to change people by teachings of Quran. We are trying to build society on purely based on Islamic ways. I must say we are going in a right direction.   

• ·         What are assets of Jamaat and what is the source of budget? 

Jamaat party is cadre based. We have around 5000 members. Every JeI member has to contribute to the party fund.  Shoura (executive council) has decided that every cadre must give his five percent of income for party fund. He has to submit his zakat and ushur (form of charity) to the Bait-ul-Maal of Jamaat. The five percent which he gives to party is purely spent on party works. Zakat and Ushur is used by the party as according to Quran and Hadith. In our weekly newspaper Momin we have a separate column in which we appeal to people for funds. I am telling you without hesitation that people in Kashmir donate generously towards Jamaat. One example being on my very second day as Emir an unknown person deposited two lakh rupees in our Batamalo bank account. On an average we hold 50 ijtimas (religious gathering) all over J&K every day. In these ijtimas we specially appeal people to donate for Jamaat in whatever capacity they can. There are even people who come personally to my house for donation. In Shopian we have 120 kanals of land on Jamaat’s name; likewise we have 30 kanals  in Handwara, 80 kanals in Marhama, 30 kanals in Soibugh. We have property in Doda, Baramulla, Sopore and Soura as well.  There are number of people who have donated their property to Jamaat. One such examples being in Natipora area of Srinagar one woman donated her house to Jamaat. Well-off people in Kashmir donate generously. Then we have women’s wing, which has to give their five percent to the party fund. We don’t face any problem monetarily. Let me say it proudly that first we have upright and honest people associated with Jamaat and secondly there is a proper audit of this property and we have  a proper system to keep checks and balances for this property.  And I assure as Emir all this property is in safe hands.  

• ·         Why there are strained relations between Jamaat and Geelani? 

I want to convey there is no rift between Jamaat and Geelani.  JeI as a party has only one motive which is to struggle for the implementation of the rule of Caliphate. When JeI was created in J&K, at that time Kashmir problem had not happened.  JI was not formed to plead the case of J&K. For JeI Kashmir problem is one of issues but not the main issue. Syed Ali Geelani firstly was member of Muslim Conference then he joined JeI and almost for 50 years Geelani was associated with Jamaat. Geelani sahib was more interested in politics and he suggested that Kashmir issue should be given top priority. JI refused to have Kashmir issue as a frontline issue but repeated it stand that all the issues should be taken forward simultaneously. When JeI refused to make Kashmir issue as frontline issue then Geelani with proper permission from JeI formed his own political party and named it Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. In this manner Geelani was able to give his entire time to the Kashmir cause. It is with proper discussions and deliberation that Geelani separated from us. Jamaat still support him. 

• ·         Do you think Geelani is responsible for breakup of Jamaat? 

Yes, he is. He was more interested in politics.   

• ·         Has Jamaat tried to resolve the difference with Geelani? 

We don’t have any difference with Geelani. We have two issues in hand, one is Islam as way of life and the other one is Kashmir issue. The only difference is Geelani is only fighting for Kashmir issue while we took both issues simultaneously. We don’t have differences on issues but on priorities.     

• Is there any other separatist leader’s property claimed by Jamaat? 

No. 

• In 2008 Legislative Assembly polls, Geelani constantly campaigned for poll boycott. It was alleged some Jamaat activists cast votes for mainstream political parties?   

Yes, unfortunately in 2008 election there were four members of Jamaat who voted for mainstream political parties. As you know it’s a secret ballot voting I can’t say who they voted for.  But when we came to know about this incident we immediately expelled them. Same unfortunate incident happened in recently held panchayat elections. Around three members participated and they also were expelled. 

• What is Jamaat’s stand on 2014 elections? 

We have a clear stand on 2014 elections that Jamaat is not participating in the upcoming election. If elections are held under UN supervision then we will participate in elections, but not under Indian banner as we have lost faith in Indian democracy. And let me make it clear we are not living in democracy.  I have coined a term for this type of democracy that is “Lutacracy”. JeI believes in democratic ways but Indian democracy stops at Banihal tunnel. Jamaat’s faith on this democracy shattered with the elections of 1987. Before 1987 Jamaat believed on Indian democratic set up but it was all sham. I was a chief election agent in 1987 elections. MUF was winning almost most of the seat, history is witness how MUF’s win was turned by brute force into loss.   

• Jamaat activist have been harassed by authorities. What role they have been playing for the party now? 

Jails, tortures or harassment do not bother Jamaat cadre.  I also have gone through various tortures and harassment for almost nine years, my own house was locked by authorities.  My wife was tortured which ultimately killed her. Jails have been our second home. We have example of companions of our beloved Prophet SAW, Jamaat only follows them. It is a matter of commitment we can’t leave this path come what may.  RK: Do you think Jamaat has failed to attract youth?  AW:I feel proud in saying that 99 percent of our cadre is youth.  Youth are attracted towards true path that is Islam. In our ijtimas as well, we have 95 percent youth participants. This is the age of information, youth keep themselves updated witZ global scenarios and they know what the truth is. We have recently launched a program in which we are scrutinizing our youth cadre so that they will be able to hold leadership at district levels. 

• Large scale drug abuse by youth is happening in Kashmir. Is Jamaat doing anything to prevent it? 

Yes, we are aware about it (drug abuse). It is more prevalent in towns than in villages. JeI launched a program in 2007 with help of different Islamic parties and different Dar-ul-Uloom’s and formed Majlis-e-Ithiadi-Millat. The aim of this party was to target all the social evils prevalent in society. Jamaat is trying everything under its capability to stop such issues from happening. We are working on it but I must accept much needs to be done. There was another issue that was of conversion of Muslim youth to Christianity. We are trying to bring an end to all these social issues.  

• Why is Jamaat’s maximum publication in Urdu?   

Yes, majority of the publication is in Urdu. But a special meeting of Shoura was held to check this issue. Now with the help of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind we have made a lot of reading  material available in English and Hindi as well.  

• If there will be any resurgence in militancy after NATO withdrawal in Afgahnistan, will  Jamaat support militancy as it did in 1990’s? 

That’s future. What happens in next five minutes only Allah knows? Let us see what happens when NATO leaves.    

Interview conducted on February 25, 2014.