Emergence, Development and Role of Jamaat-I-Islami Jammu and Kashmir (JIJK)

JIJK is one of the most influential Islamic organisations in Kashmir. Its literature as well as ideologues has exercised a powerful impact on Kashmiri Muslims. As an ideological party, the ways and methods adopted by Jamaati-Islami to realise its objectives, are governed by the ideology it upholds. It believes in and practises all peaceful, democratic and constructive methods for propagating its faith and realising its objectives. As a modern popular reformist movement organisation based on Islamic ideology of Quran and Sunnah, JIJK has developed a distinct style and methodology in propagating the message of Islam and in affording proper guidance to the Muslim community in implementing the values and laws that characterize the Islamic system of life. Through it's well-studied and elaborately planned programmes, JIJK strives to prove that the Islamic ideology and the Islamic way of life is the most practical and befitting solution to the woes of the present day world. The present paper attempts to trace the formation and development of JIJK, from its inception to the present phase, when it is active in establishing its strong knit in the state, besides playing an active role in the politics of the state. The paper begins with the brief history of JIJK, ideology, creed, methodology, Jamaat's views on Sufism, articulation of Kashmiri identity, Jamaat's role during Holy Relic Agitation 1963, role in electoral politics, tie up with armed struggle which started in 1989 as well as its role and relevance in the socio-political set-up of the state.