Syed Munawar Hassan

Syed Munawar Hassan, Ameer of Jamat e Islami hails from an elite family from Dehli, where he was born in August 1944, after independence his family migrated to Pakistan and permanently settled in Karachi. He earned his master’s degree in sociology and thereafter, passed his M.A examination in Islamic Studies as well in 1966 from University of Karachi. Right from his Student life, he was known for his intelligence, industry and ready wit. He came to be known as a popular orator. He also edited college magazine, besides, he proved his mettle as a badminton player, par excellence also.

Syed Munawar Hasan had leaning towards left wing politics, as such, he worked for National students Federation (a left wing student’s outfit) and became its central president. Meantime, he happened to study the writings of Syed Abul Ala Maududi which totally transformed him and thus he became an Islamist. His new outlook brought him in the fold of Islami jamiat Talaba (a student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan) and so was elected as president of the organization at Karachi University. Later, he was nominated as member of the advisory board of Islami jamiat Talba. Here too, he worked with such a commitment dedication and devotion that in less than two years he was elected central president of Islami jamiat Talba Pakistan and served as such, for consecutive two terms. During his Presidentship, Jamiat Launched campaigns for the solution of student problems and introduction of Islamic system of education and also put forth solid and practical suggestions to over com the hurdles in the way of female education.

He joined the Islamic research Academy at Karachi 1963 as an assistant and ended up as its secretary. Under his supervision, as many as, 70 treatises on different topics were published. He also served as editor of two monthly journals ‘ The Criterion’ and ‘The Universal Message’. He served Jamaat-e-Islami Paksitan in various capacities, at first; he was appointed Assistant Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi and later, Vice President and president of Karachi chapter of the Jamaat respectively. He was elected as member Central Advisory Council and the executive council as well. He has the credit to represent Jamaat, at various forums i.e United Democratic Front, and Pakista National Alliance etc. He contested general elections held in 1977 from Karachi and was returned as successful bagging highest tally of votes despite, heavy rigging. In 1992, he was made (central Assistant Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Paksitan, and since 1993 had served, as Central Secretary General prior to his election as Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in April 2009.

He has attended numerous International Conferences and Seminars. Apart from being a voracious reader! he is a widely traveled man with visits to USA, Canada, Middle East, south Eastern Africa and SAARC countries to his credit. He has full command over English language however, he is heard with rapturous attention when he delivers speeches in Urdu. He has headed many a research projects under the aegis of Jamaat. Piety permeates his life as a spirit behind it. And simplicity, simply is the mode there of. Humbleness and selflessness, are traits of his personality.