Noted Islamic scholar and orator Dr Hameed Fayaz was elected amir (chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a prominent politico-religious organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. His election is regarded as shift of leadership from old guard to an intermediate who has learned from the founders and worked with the youngsters of a significant cadre-based organisation. Fayaz (62) has replaced moderate Ghulam Muhammad Bhat who held the post four times since 1985.
Hailing from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, Fayaz has a doctorate in Urdu from Kashmir University and has been associated with the Jamaat for the past 42 years. He has also headed the student wing of the organization Jamiat-e-Talaba. He is one of the few top leaders of the Jamaat, who has not been directly associated with armed insurgency in Kashmir in its beginning in early 1990s. Though he has not fought any elections himself, he has campaigned for Muslim United Front (MUF) candidates in 1987 Assembly elections when Jamaat was a constituent of the alliance. The 1987 elections are largely perceived to have been rigged that became one of the major causes for eruption of militancy in Kashmir.
Dr Fayaz was elected as JeI chief on the first session of the newly elected 165 members of Majlis-e-Numaindgan (House of Representatives), which is elected by around 4,000 members (arkan) of the organisation. The session also elected the Central Advisory Council or Majlis-e-Shora, the highest decision making body. Fayaz is popular for his oratory skills and his command over Urdu and Persian languages.
“Jamaat is a socio-politico-religious organisation working for the last more than 70 years in Jammu and Kashmir for propagation of the message of Islam in a peaceful and democratic manner and this methodology will be followed constantly for the achievement of the goal,” he said in a brief speech after his election.
He reiterated Jamaat’s stance that Kashmir was an unsettled issue to be resolved in the light of UN resolutions or through tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and real representatives of the people of undivided Jammu and Kashmir.
He said Jamaat would continue to impress both the neighboring countries for the final settlement of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people concerned.
Jamaat has completely distanced itself with the armed insurgency in Kashmir unlike in early 1990s when a significant cadre of the organisation was targeted by the security forces for their support to militancy. Hizbul Mujahideen, the indigenous militant outfit, derived most of its cadre from the Jamaat. The Hizb was officially the military wing of Jamaat for some period but the outgoing Amir GM Bhat played crucial role in distancing the two groups and returning Jamaat to its reformist basics.
Observers say that Fayaz’s succession to Bhat is crucial in the backdrop of his staunch reformist outlook at a time when militancy is again gaining ground in valley, especially in south Kashmir where JeI has a significant foothold.