Jamaat-e-Islami Hind aims to promote Islamic values and social justice while advocating for a democratic and inclusive society. JIH focuses on educational, social, and welfare activities, emphasising moral and ethical reforms. It seeks to address issues facing Muslims in India and promotes interfaith dialogue. It has played a significant role in Indian socio-political discourse.Radiance elicited views on JIH’s tireless strivings to promote peace, harmony, and brotherhood within the Indian society, from some eminent religious leaders and intellectuals in the country.
Dr Narender Nagarwal
Dr Narender Nagarwal, Associate Professor, Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, said:
“I hold the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind as a genuinely patriotic organisation dedicated to promoting peace, harmony, and brotherhood within Indian society. Founded in 1941, JIH has consistently worked to foster interreligious dialogue and understanding between Muslims and individuals of other faiths in India. This organisation aims to promote Islamic values and principles within India’s multicultural and multireligious society.
“My understanding of Islam and its true tenets has deepened through my interactions with officials from JIH, whom I consider to be remarkably principled individuals committed to secular values, constitutional principles, and democratic culture. While the organisation has been involved in various social activities, its role in promoting communal harmony and strengthening secularism is not widely recognised.
“It is sad that still many people in our society have poor or incorrect information about the JIH. I greatly appreciate the JIH activities, especially the organisation that advocated for interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding and has sought to bring people of different religions and backgrounds together to build a more inclusive and harmonious society. However, it is also important to note that JIH is often viewed as a conservative organisation that adheres to traditional Islamic beliefs and practices, and its stance on secularism may not align with more liberal interpretations of the term, which is purely baseless and illogical.”
Goswami Shushilji Maharaj
Goswami Shushilji Maharaj, Convenor of Bhartiya Sarv Dharma Sansad said:
“As far as I know it is a national organisation working on the grassroots level and I have witnessed with my own eyes. I personally have participated in many programmes all across India. The organisation has contributed a lot in literature in many languages and is being distributed to people from all faiths.
“It is doing great work for peace and communal harmony, social justice and we all should welcome it. All other organisations should also follow what Jamaat is doing for the sake of society and the country. Unless and until we promote the Ganja-Jamuni culture, nothing can be achieved. We should appreciate what Jamaat is doing to keep India together and promote togetherness.”
MD Thomas
MD Thomas, Founder Director Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies, said, “The organisation is working in a very organised manner at national and local levels. It is doing remarkable work to promote peace and communal harmony across India through its SadbhavanaManch. I have also worked with the organisation on many occasions on issues related to peace and harmony. Every year Eid-Milan programme hosted by Jamaat is a wonderful idea to promote togetherness and peace. And also, it is helpful to mixing of religious and other people. I congratulate them for what they are doing for the society and the country.”
Jai Shankar Gupta
Jai Shankar Gupta, senior journalist and former member of Press Council of India, said:
“I came to know about Jamaat when I was in jail during Emergency in Azamgarh as some members of Jamaat were also arrested and were lodged in jail there. I developed good rapport with them and became friends and became so close like family members. I also tried to learn Urdu from them. After Emergency I was not in touch with Jamaat. Thesedays I can see Jamaat is very active in promoting the values of Islam and trying to promote peace and communal harmony in the country.”
Overall, JIH has sought to contribute to nation-building by focusing on education, social justice, communal harmony, and civic responsibility, while also addressing the specific needs of the Muslim community in India.