Members of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) have elected Syed Munawwar Hassan as 4th Amir (Chief) of party for next five years ie 2009-14. The election was held through secret ballot and the total number of voters was 23,480 out of which 91.30 percent exercised their right of vote. The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of JI had proposed the names of three party leaders for election, Syed Munawwar Hassan, Sirajul Haq and Liaqat Baloch.
Earlier, Qazi Hussain Ahmad former JI Chief, was elected Amir of JI in 1987 and remained party head till 2009 and he refused to continue duties due to health problems. JI was established on August 26, 1941 and Syed Abu-al-Aala Maodoodi remained its first head till 1972 and after him, Mian Tufail Muhammad was elected as Chief and he performed this job till 1987.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad was the third party head and now Syed Munawwar Hassan has been elected 4th Chief of the party. Syed Munawwar Hassan was born in Delhi, India and migrated to Pakistan in 1947. He did M.A (Sociology) and Islamic Studies from Karachi University (KU).
Munawwar participated in extra-curricular activities in KU and remained Editor of university magazine as well as two weekly English magazines, The Criterion, The Universal Message. During Martial Law regime of Ayub Khan he was elected President of the most famous leftist student organisation "National Students Federation". Munawwar impressed by Syed Abu-al-Aala Maodoodi, joined a rightist student organisation Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) and was elected its president.
He was sent to jail a number of times and joined JI in 1967. Hassan was elected MNA in 1977 and set a countrywide record by securing the highest number of votes. He was appointed Secretary General of JI in 1992 and performed this post till March 28, 2009. Munawwar got married to Ayesha in 1947 and has one son and one daughter.