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Economic Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Bangladesh Islamists: Jamaat-e-Islami stage mega rally to challenge old ally BNP
AP Thousands of supporters of Bangladesh's largest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami attend a rally in a show of strength ahead of elections expected next year, in Dhaka, Bangladesh Bangladesh's biggest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday held its first-ever stand-alone grand rally in Dhaka amid efforts to undermine secular character of the country and bring theocracy into JeI last staged a grand rally in Paltan Maidan in the then East Pakistan ahead of the 1970 elections. The Saturday's rally was chaired by the party's Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. He warned party supporters that Bangladesh might witness further violent struggle to keep it on the right track. In an oblique reference to Awami League Rahman said, 'From 28 October 2006, onward, all those responsible for different politically motivated 'massacres', including that of deaths of army officers in the then paramilitary BDR border guard force and the events of July 2024, must be tried on the soil of Bangladesh." The JeI which worked against independence of Bangladesh was completely banned by the Awami League days ahead of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. The interim regime led by Professor Muhammad Yunus later lifted the ban. At the rally, Rahman said that the party would now spearhead a movement against corruption and extortion. JeI's show of strength may pit it against its long-term ally voted to power, no lawmaker or minister associated with the party would accept government plots and tax-exempt vehicles or personally handle public funds, he claimed. One of the major agendas of the party is to wage a campaign to introduce a proportional representation (PR) system in the national party leader Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher told the rally that elections under the PR system were the most appropriate method in the current political context. JeI's track record in general elections has been patchy as the party could never win a decent number of seats even when in alliance with is opposed to the PR system. Several other Islamist parties and leaders of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) attended the rally. Rahman, 66, collapsed twice while addressing the rally and was later hospitalised, according to party leaders.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh Islamists: Jamaat-e-Islami stage mega rally to challenge old ally BNP
Bangladesh's biggest Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday held its first-ever stand-alone grand rally in Dhaka amid efforts to undermine secular character of the country and bring theocracy into power. The JeI last staged a grand rally in Paltan Maidan in the then East Pakistan ahead of the 1970 elections. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Analytics Others others Cybersecurity Data Science Data Science Digital Marketing MBA Product Management PGDM Artificial Intelligence Technology MCA Healthcare Design Thinking CXO Leadership healthcare Operations Management Public Policy Degree Finance Project Management Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The Saturday's rally was chaired by the party's Ameer Shafiqur Rahman . He warned party supporters that Bangladesh might witness further violent struggle to keep it on the right track. In an oblique reference to Awami League Rahman said, 'From 28 October 2006, onward, all those responsible for different politically motivated 'massacres', including that of deaths of army officers in the then paramilitary BDR border guard force and the events of July 2024, must be tried on the soil of Bangladesh." The JeI which worked against independence of Bangladesh was completely banned by the Awami League days ahead of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. The interim regime led by Professor Muhammad Yunus later lifted the ban. Live Events At the rally, Rahman said that the party would now spearhead a movement against corruption and extortion. JeI's show of strength may pit it against its long-term ally BNP . If voted to power, no lawmaker or minister associated with the party would accept government plots and tax-exempt vehicles or personally handle public funds, he claimed. One of the major agendas of the party is to wage a campaign to introduce a proportional representation (PR) system in the national election. Senior party leader Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher told the rally that elections under the PR system were the most appropriate method in the current political context. JeI's track record in general elections has been patchy as the party could never win a decent number of seats even when in alliance with BNP. BNP is opposed to the PR system. Several other Islamist parties and leaders of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) attended the rally. Rahman, 66, collapsed twice while addressing the rally and was later hospitalised, according to party leaders.
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India
The time has come for assertive, inclusive interventions not just by the state but by civil society and the Muslim community itself In the intricate mosaic of India's religious landscape, Muslim organisations play a significant role in shaping identities, beliefs, and communal behaviour. Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami and Tablighi Jamaat have historically positioned themselves as Islamic revivalist movements. While they publicly disavow violence, concerns are growing over how their ideological frameworks and influence networks may be radicalising segments of Muslim youth in India. This article aims to unpack the mechanisms, narratives, and patterns through which these groups operate and how their doctrines can tilt toward exclusivism, isolationism, and even extremism. The Ideological Roots: From Spiritual Revival to Political Agenda The Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), founded in 1941 by Abul A'la Maududi, is not merely a religious movement. It is based on a political interpretation of Islam, aiming to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia. While banned in Jammu & Kashmir, JeI continues to operate across India, student organisations, and civil society under various names and fronts. Tablighi Jamaat, on the other hand, is ostensibly apolitical and inward-looking, focusing on personal piety and Islamic evangelism (dawah). But its brand of Islam, rigid, Deobandi-based, and anti-modernist, discourages pluralism and instils a worldview where religious identity trumps national identity. It is often accused of building echo chambers that alienate youth from mainstream society. Though the two groups differ in method, JeI being politically charged and Tablighi Jamaat spiritually intense, both promote binary, us-versus-them narratives that breed alienation. Campus Footprints and Student Influence One of Jamaat-e-Islami's most visible arms is its student wing. While presenting itself as a platform for education and social justice, the student wing often mirrors Jamaat's ideological undertones, opposing secularism, glorifying Islamic governance, and reinforcing communal identity. Across campuses in Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi, JeI's student wing has cultivated an ideologically regimented cadre that sees modern politics and Western liberalism as antithetical to Islam. These young recruits are often introduced subtly to anti-democratic ideas under the guise of 'intellectual Islam". Tablighi Jamaat, meanwhile, maintains a low-profile but deep network of young followers who are trained through 'chillas" (40-day missionary tours). Youths are encouraged to abandon regular education or jobs, isolate themselves from 'non-Islamic environments", and dedicate their lives to purifying the ummah. The emphasis on blind obedience, uniform dress codes, and rigid gender segregation is an early form of ideological radicalisation. Echo Chambers, Alienation, and Gateway Radicalism Both groups are non-violent in stated strategy, but that does not mean they are non-radical. The radicalisation process is not always about violence; it's about the creation of a mindset that normalises separatism, rejection of constitutional values, and distrust of the 'other". Many young Muslims drawn to these groups begin to question: In doing so, a space is created where more radical elements can easily recruit. Indeed, various intelligence reports in the past have noted that individuals involved in terror plots or who later joined ISIS had a background of association with such ideological groups. For example, in Jammu and Kashmir, JeI has been accused of ideological indoctrination that later led to militancy. While the group denies links to terror outfits, its literature often paints the Indian state as an aggressor. Digital Propaganda and Transnational Influence Modern radicalisation doesn't need a mosque. It needs a smartphone, an internet connection, and unregulated content. Both JeI and Tablighi networks have been quick to adapt. WhatsApp groups pushing Maududi's or Zakir Naik's content, YouTube sermons discouraging integration into the Indian mainstream, and Telegram channels sharing conspiracy theories against the Indian state: these mediums are now fertile ground for soft radicalisation. Moreover, both movements have strong transnational linkages. JeI receives ideological backing from Pakistan-based networks, and Tablighi Jamaat is tightly connected with counterparts in Bangladesh, Malaysia, and even the UK—countries where their role in promoting extremism has come under scrutiny. Need for Counter-Narratives and Engagement Outlawing or banning these groups alone will not suffice. What's needed is a robust civil society response that includes: Promotion of inclusive Islamic scholarship (Sufi, interfaith dialogue) Mentorship for Muslim youth through cultural and academic platforms Monitoring of digital propaganda without targeting communities indiscriminately. State engagement with moderate Muslim voices, especially at local and university levels. Government agencies must distinguish between legitimate religious expression and ideological grooming. Muslim communities, in turn, must introspect and challenge hardline dominance in their educational, social, and cultural spaces. The silent radicalisation of Indian Muslim youth through ideological soft power, whether via Jamaat-e-Islami's politicised Islam or Tablighi Jamaat's rigid piety, poses a serious challenge to the ideals of secularism and national integration. The time has come for assertive, inclusive interventions not just by the state but by civil society and the Muslim community itself. The battle against radicalism cannot be won in courts or police stations alone. It must be fought in minds, in classrooms, and on digital platforms through reform, reason, and responsible leadership. view comments First Published: July 03, 2025, 23:26 IST News opinion View: How Radical Organisations Are Influencing Muslim Youth In India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP only party to not benefit from our support: JeI
Kozhikode: Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Kerala Amir P Mujeeb Rahman said even CM Pinarayi Vijayan had tasted the sweetness of JeI's support and that if there was any party which did not benefit from JeI's support, it was BJP . Speaking at a news conference at Malappuram on Wednesday, Rahman said CPM continues to accept support from JeI at the national level. The statements made by the CM and CPM state secretary M V Govindan about JeI were outright lies. Referring to the Nilambur bypoll, he alleged that CPM deliberately paved the way for communal and divisive politics to serve its own political interests. "The verdict of the bypoll is against the cheap politics of CPM to communalise Kerala. CPM is continuing false propaganda against JeI even after the bypoll," he said. "JeI was one of the first Muslim organisations to protest against the Pahalgam incident at the national level," he said. "CPM needs to realise that the seeds it is sowing are reaped not by them, but by BJP," he said.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPI(M), Congress trade barbs over Jamaat-e-Islami backing UDF in Nilambur bypolls
As the campaign for the by-election in the Nilambur assembly constituency in Kerala enters the last lap, the two principal political fronts LDF and UDF continued to clash with each other over maintaining friendship with fringe outfits like the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). The controversy in the June 19 bypoll campaign stemmed after the Welfare Party of India (WPI), the political arm of JeI, announced its support for the UDF in the bypoll last week. Since 2019, the WPI has backed the UDF in most elections. Following the WPI's move, the CPI(M) has targeted the Congress-led UDF relentlessly for maintaining close links with 'extremist' outfits like JeI and accepting their support during election campaigns. CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan asked the Congress national leadership to clarify if it has the same stance as the state leadership about an outfit like the JeI. 'For the first time in India, a Congress leader publicly said the current form of JeI was unlike its past and that the outfit has changed. Priyanka Gandhi is here to campaign in Nilambur. I want her to clarify if the national leadership also feels the same way about JeI. What's the Congress national leadership's stand on tying up with communal outfits like the JeI,' said Govindan. He said the Congress would make JeI an associate partner of the UDF to garner a 'few votes' in Nilambur and in the upcoming local body and assembly elections. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan hit back stating that CM Pinarayi Vijayan was the first to welcome Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. 'He even said once that there was no need for anyone to cover their heads while meeting JeI leaders, indicating it was not wrong to meet them. But now, the CM has forgotten all that. He has changed his colours. The CPM's target is clear. It wants to divert the public attention away from the failures of the state government during the bypoll campaign,' he said. The Nilambur bypoll is scheduled on June 19 and the votes will be counted on June 23.
