The Ecumenism of the Jamā'at-i-Islāmī of Pakistan

Religious Sectarianism between Muslims has manifested itself in various ways within Pakistan, from
polemical infighting and excommunication and at times there has been sectarian militancy which has
received global attention, particularly from the 1980s onwards, where Pakistan had witnessed
chapters of serious incidents of sectarian violence claiming the lives of many. Polemical infighting
between Muslims in Pakistan has a longstanding history linked to the diverse makeup of Muslims in
South Asia.

Some Islamists especially the Jama’āt-i-Islāmi have been considered to be post-sectarian. The loss of
Muslim political power through the abolition of the Caliphate and the effect of colonialism had
caused Muslims, especially those from the revivalist trend to emphasise the need for greater unity
between Muslims. The Jama’āt-i-Islāmi’s founder, Syed Abul Ala Mawdudi was a fierce critic of
Sectarianism between Muslims, a position that was also held by fellow Islamists such as Hassan Al
Banna.

This thesis explores the history of sectarianism in Pakistan and explores the relationship between
the Jama’āt-i-Islāmi and other sects in Pakistan and how far the Jama’āt-i-Islami has been able to
cross sectarian boundaries. In a broader sense, this study examines the relationships between
Islamists and ecumenism as well as sectarianism and attempts to pacify sectarianism.