Perhaps Delhi holds a secret assembly. It’s a council of Indian Muslim theologians. This is the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. Founded in November 1919 it stands as a leading voice. It represents the Deobandi school of thought in India.
Imagine Muslim scholars gathering. They came from all over India. The Khilafat Committee held its first conference in Delhi. Twenty-five scholars convened separately. They met in the hall of Krishna Theatre. This marked the formation of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind. Key figures included Abdul Bari Firangi Mahali. Also present were Kifayatullah Dehlawi and Muhammad Ibrahim Mir Sialkoti. Sanaullah Amritsari was there too.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind actively participated in the Khilafat Movement. They collaborated with the Indian National Congress. The Jamiat opposed the partition of India. It championed composite nationalism. This meant Muslims and non-Muslims forming one nation. A small faction broke away. It was known as the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. This group supported the Pakistan movement.
Kifayatullah Dehlawi drafted the Jamiat’s constitution. By 2021 the Jamiat had spread across India. It established institutions. These included the Idara Mabahith-e-Fiqhiyyah. There was also the Jamiat National Open School. The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind Halal Trust also existed. So did the Legal Cell Institute. And also the Jamiat Youth Club.
Leadership changes marked the Jamiat’s journey. Arshad Madani succeeded his brother. Asad Madani was president in February 2006. The organization split in March 2008. It became the Arshad group and the Mahmood group. Usman Mansoorpuri led the Mahmood group. He served until his death in May 2021. Mahmood Madani then became interim president. He was later appointed president on 18 September 2021. Arshad Madani leads the Arshad group.
The Jamiat’s early principles aimed to defend Islam. They also guided common folk in politics. This was done through Islamic precepts. They sought to establish an Islamic court. It was to be called the Darul Qadha.
The Jamiat issued a religious edict. It was called Fatwa Tark-e-Mawalat. This edict boycotted British goods. Abul Muhasin Sajjad authored it. Five hundred scholars signed this. During British rule the Jamiat opposed British rule. It participated in the Quit India Movement. From its start in 1919 it sought a British-free India. It even formed an institution. It was called Idarah Harbiyyah or The War Council.
Hussain Ahmad Madani believed Muslims belonged to a united India. He thought Hindu-Muslim unity vital. He worked with the Indian National Congress. This continued until the Partition. In 1945 a faction within the Jamiat supported Pakistan’s creation. Shabbir Ahmad Usmani led this faction.
Following India’s independence the Jamiat reassessed. It decided to disengage from electoral politics. The Jamiat reaffirmed its commitment. It preserved Muslim faith and culture. It officially became a non-political entity. This was on March 20 1948.
In November 2008 6000 scholars endorsed an anti-terror edict. This happened at the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s general meeting. The Darul Uloom Deoband issued the edict. Grand Mufti Habibur Rahman Khairabadi signed it.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has contributed significantly to the history of Delhi. It also contributed to India. It fought for independence. It continues to work for the well-being of the Muslim community. It strives for harmony among all communities.