SUMMARY

Jamaat-e-Islami (or simply Jamaat) was formed as an Islamist political party by its founder, Syed Abul Ala Maududi, prior to the partition of India. Subsequent to the partition, the organization moved to West and East Pakistan. During the Bangladeshi independence war, the leadership of Jamaat officially opposed the secession of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from West Pakistan (now Pakistan). This decision to support the Pakistani regime (led by Yahya Khan) continues to have repercussions in the present day.

In 1971, the Pakistani Army launched a campaign of one-sided killings to pacify a growing movement in East Pakistan for independence or autonomy. The independence movement was espoused primarily by Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans political party, the Awami League. During the crackdown, Jamaat-e-Islami sided with the Pakistani military forces, and its supporters assisted Pakistani forces by organizing themselves into several pro-state militias. Awami League Supporters continue to hold these militias- which were led by future leaders of the Jamaat party- responsible for committing grave human rights abuses and mass killings during the war of independence. These accusations continue to cause tensions between Supporters of the Awami League and Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Jamaat-e-Islami is currently led by Motiur Rahman Nizami. The partys student wing, called Islami Chatra Sangha or Jamaat Shibir, often clashes violently with supporters of other political parties as well as Bangladeshi security forces. Jamaat Supporters live throughout Bangladesh, though the south-west is considered to be their stronghold.