‎Islamic Movements Must Serve All Humanity, Not Just Muslims: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

Ankara, Oct 03: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has called on Islamic political movements worldwide to move beyond traditional ideological battles and develop a broader human-centred agenda focused on economic justice, human rights, minority protection and the challenges facing modern societies.

In an exclusive interview with Muslim Network TV (MNTV) in Ankara during his visit to Türkiye, Hafiz Naeem said Islamic movements should not limit their political and social struggle to Muslims but work with people of all faiths and ideological backgrounds to address common problems facing humanity.

He argued that the concentration of wealth in the hands of a small minority had exposed the weaknesses of contemporary capitalism, while socialism had also failed to provide a lasting alternative. Islam, he said, offered an economic framework based on the equitable distribution of wealth, social security and opportunities for all sections of society.

Explaining the Islamic economic model, the JI chief said zakat, equitable taxation and cooperative ownership could help prevent wealth from accumulating in a few hands. He maintained that an effective zakat system could eliminate poverty in societies where it was properly implemented.

He stressed that poverty alleviation should go beyond distributing financial assistance and focus on creating sustainable livelihoods and economic independence. Interest-free financing was one component of this approach, he said, adding that prosperity should not be built on the exploitation of disadvantaged communities.

Referring to agriculture, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticised both feudal ownership and corporate farming models that could leave farmers dependent on large landowners or companies. He proposed a cooperative ownership arrangement involving farmers, landowners, the state and those responsible for distributing agricultural produce, with all stakeholders sharing ownership and benefits.

On democracy and concerns in Western societies about Islamic movements assuming power, he questioned the democratic credentials of the existing international political order. He cited the veto powers of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, restrictions faced by pro-Palestine activists and the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on American electoral politics.

He said Islamic movements should not be singled out for scrutiny while contradictions within established Western democratic systems remained unaddressed. Referring to Egypt, Algeria and Palestine, he argued that Islamic political movements had repeatedly been denied the opportunity to exercise democratic mandates after electoral victories.

He also questioned international silence over restrictions on Jamaat-e-Islami in Occupied Kashmir, where, he said, the organisation's offices had been closed and many members detained despite its previous engagement in legal and public activities.

Discussing Türkiye's political experience, Rehman praised the country's governing party for its organisational strength, institution-building and ability to remain connected with ordinary citizens. However, he cautioned that Pakistan or other Muslim countries could not simply replicate the Turkish model, as every country had its own political history and circumstances.

The JI chief also rejected the idea that Islamic political movements should form an exclusive international alliance. Instead, he favoured broader platforms bringing together organisations and individuals from different religious and ideological backgrounds to campaign against economic exploitation, imperialism, corporate dominance and human rights violations.

He said Islamic political systems should not be viewed as projects for Muslim domination over non-Muslims. Rather, their objective should be to establish governance that serves all citizens, regardless of their religious identity.

Addressing concerns about religious extremism, he said terrorism had no connection with Islam and called for an international debate on the causes of political violence, including violence committed by states. He stressed that the actions of extremist groups should not be allowed to define an entire religion.

Looking towards the next 25 years, Rehman identified women's rights, the concerns of younger generations, minority protection and emerging technologies as major priorities for Islamic movements.

He said women, whether working at home or outside, faced challenges including unequal wages, workplace harassment and inadequate economic protection. Islamic movements must clearly communicate women's rights to dignity, fair wages and economic security.

He urged Islamic parties to understand Generation Z and Generation Alpha, their concerns, social isolation and changing patterns of communication rather than dismissing their demands.

He also called for effective international mechanisms to protect both Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries and non-Muslim communities in Muslim-majority societies.

Emphasising the importance of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies and financial technologies, he said Islamic movements needed serious research and informed debate to understand their potential benefits and risks.

"If we develop credible responses to these challenges, people will naturally become interested in what Islamic movements have to offer," he said.