The politics of Islamicfundamentalism in Pakistan: a case study of the Jamaat-I-Islami

The rise of Islamic fundamentalism is a response to the contemporary moral, political and economic challenges facing the Muslim world. This thesis examines the interaction of religion and politics and analyzes the social and political impact of fundamentalism in Pakistan. A number of conditions have encouraged the rise of fundamentalism in Pakistan since the country was created five decades ago. The perceived failure of Western developmental models ~ accompanied by rapid industrialization, uncontrolled urbanization, economic insecurity and international vulnerability — has encouraged many Pakistanis to look for an alternative with an Islamic agenda. A major force in promoting fundamentalism in Pakistan has been the Jamaat-i-Islami political party. The strength of the Jamaat-i-Islami as a social force is examined, and also its limitations in the political arena, where it has influenced politics but failed to control them. Survival as a political party over the past fifty years has demanded organizational compromise and accommodation. Although it has not achieved significant legislative power, the Jamaat-i-Islami as the articulator of fundamentalist values has played an important watchdog role and shaped the social, economic and political nature of the country. The Jamaat's political involvement is important and likely to continue, since the organization has proved effective in mobilization and in the role of moral guardian. However, its real contribution has been its ability to influence the scope of Islamization in Pakistan. The emergence and growth of the Jamaat's ideology and organization provide a useful case study of fundamentalism in modern Islam where goals have gravitated from revolution to reform. iiiArts, Faculty ofPolitical Science, Department ofGraduat