NEW DELHI: 16 April 2008, The exclusive front-page report which appeared in Hindustan Times  today (Mumbai and Bhopal editions) linking Jamaat-e-Islami Hind with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is misleading, baseless and defamatory in nature, states Nusrat Ali, Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, in his press statement issued today. He said, “it is a deliberate effort to tarnish the image of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind which has a remarkable service record of sixty years serving the people of India in the field of Godliness, education, human rights, social service etc. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is striving to establish a just and peaceful society.”

The methodology adopted by Jamaat as mentioned in its constitution, states, “In all its actions Jamaat shall be bound by moral limits and shall never adopt such means or ways which are against truth and honesty or through which may come about communal hatred, class struggle and Fasaad fil arz. (Social chaos, discord, anarchy, corruption and mischief in land), Jammat shall adopt constructive and peaceful methods; that is, it shall reform the mental outlook, character and conduct through propagation (of Islam), instruction and dissemination of Islamic ideas, and thus shall train public opinion in order to bring about the desired righteous revolution in the social life of the country.”

Mr Nusrat Ali said that there is no question of disowning SIMI as stated in the report, because SIMI had never been a wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. It was entirely different organisation, which had no connection with us.

The secretary general of Jamaat categorically denied that any meeting of SIMI associates was called by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind as mischievously stated in the report. Like other public members the associates of SIMI have also called on Jamaat leadership from time to time and paid courtesy visits. The Jamaat leadership has never shied away from meeting anyone or offering advice if sought by anyone.

(Issued by Dr S. Q. R. Ilyas Incharge,  Media Centre JIH Hqrs)