Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) gives great importance to media as a means to spread its ideology among Indian Muslims and the broader public. Believing that open, civil discourse nurtures truth, JIH actively uses modern mass media to shape public opinion, collaborating with individuals and institutions on key social issues and presenting Islamic solutions to societal challenges.
JIH works across print, electronic, and social media to dispel misconceptions about Islam and Muslims, aiming to create a favourable public opinion and counter Islamophobia. While JIH has made significant strides, it recognises the vast scope of this mission, and appeals for broader community support to further its cause.
Jamaat abides by the highest ethical standards in all its activities. Hence, it follows the best journalistic practices and is committed to promoting truth, integrity, and responsible communication – all within the framework of the moral limits imposed by Islam.
Media is in the DNA of Jamaat
Media played a foundational role in the establishment of Jamaat-e-Islami. As documented in Roodad Jamaat-e-Islami Vol. 1, following the publication of the book “MuslamanaurMaujoodaSiyasiKashmokash” by Maulana Syed Abul A’la Maududi, readers were invited to express their support for this ideology. Responses flooded in, reflecting a strong readiness to support Jamaat’s cause.
Notably, Maulana Maududi’s media journey began at age 17 as editor of Taj in Jabalpur in 1920, where he refined his style in addressing the challenges Muslims faced. Later, he edited Al-Jamiat in Delhi and launched Tarjuman-ul-Quran in 1932 to articulate Islam as a comprehensive system.
Noble Literature
Again, it is mentioned in “Roodad Jamaat-e-Islami Vol.1” that Jamaat shall establish a Department of Nashr-o-Ishaat (Press & Publicity) which will be responsible for producing and distributing “swaleh” (righteous) literature to spread Jamaat’s message widely. This department requires skilled manpower in the field of writing, printing and publicity, including those who can travel to promote literature directly.
Towards this end, Jamaat helped establish Markazi Maktaba Islami (M.M.I.) Publishers, New Delhi – now, an old well-established publishing house of religious books in the country. Established in 1948, Maktaba (as it is popularly known) has consistently published high-quality religious books across diverse topics in Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and English, and now offers diaries, calendars, and educational CDs/DVDs.
Maktaba serves both national and international readers and has embraced online sales through its own website (mmipublishers.net) as well as Amazon. Known for its honesty, fair pricing, and award-winning publications, Maktaba operates a retail showroom, a reference library, and produces a quarterly bulletin, supported by dedicated sections in editorial, marketing, production, and dispatch to ensure smooth operations and outreach.
Expressing Jamaat’s Response to Key Issues
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind responds to national and community issues, but not for political advantage. JIH has a worldview that shapes its opinion and approach towards solving the challenges confronting the nation.
Some of the key issues on which Jamaat’s perspective can be read on its website (www.jamaateislamihind.org) are Foreign Policy, Education and Education System, Economic Policies, National Politics, Secularism, Democracy and Fascism, and Terrorism. The responses are measured and align with its principles of justice, fairness, and societal well-being.
For example, in case of any atrocity, Jamaat stands up against oppression regardless of the religion and class of both perpetrator and victim. It follows the Quranic injunction – “Believers! Be upholders of justice, and bearers of witness to truth for the sake of Allah, even though it may either be against yourselves or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor”. (Quran 4:135)
Emotional or hasty reactions are avoided in favour of careful consideration through mutual consultation at the highest level of leadership and in alignment with its ideology and mission.
Proactive Media Engagement
JIH has been conducting regular Monthly Press Conferences for more than a decade at its headquarters in New Delhi. It holds PCs on the first Saturday each month and expresses its viewpoint on the most pressing and important issues of the day. These are articulated by Jamaat leadership as well as distributed to the journalists in the form of a “press note”.
The top leadership answers questions “live” and give bites to TV and YouTube channels at the end of the conference. The Press Meet is extensively covered by both the mainstream and alternative media. The PC is broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook.
JIH also comes out regularly with Press Statements on current events and developments in which it enunciates its position with a call for action. This consistent media interaction distinguishes Jamaat as a proactive Muslim organisation and the media fraternity also know whom to approach for getting a balanced opinion on issues related to the Muslim community as well as the nation. JIH has also been coming out with a “Daily News Digest” to stay informed and update its leadership about current media narratives.
Selfless Motive, Clarity and Social Engagement
Jamaat has always allocated resources on a priority-basis towards media outreach from its early days, despite limited finances. However, despite Jamaat’s conscious prioritisation of maintaining media relationships, it does not do so for the sake of pursuing political gain or some ulterior motive. From time to time, on the occasion of its All India Members Conclave, Meetings of the Central Advisory Council or Council of Representatives, Jamaat passes resolutions on important national and global affairs. These resolutions are made public through press releases and a collation of all such resolutions since the inception of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind are available in book form called “Qarardadein”.
These resolutions are held in high esteem in intellectual, Islamic, and Muslim circles and play a pivotal role in shaping broad public opinion, serving as a framework for action on various national and social issues. JIH has a very active social media presence through its website, Facebook page, Twitter handle and YouTube channel. These platforms serve to amplify Jamaat’s message and engage online with the wider public.
Jamaat’s media approach is distinct from ideologies reliant on negative or Goebbels style propaganda tactics. JIH media approach is rooted in truth, fairness, and social justice; it carefully avoids reactionary responses, favouring thoughtful and principled engagement. ThusJIH media initiatives exemplify a balanced, ethical, and value-driven approach focused on justice, social welfare, and transparency, setting a model for other socio-political organisations.