Dr. Mohiuddin Gazi, National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Dean of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kerala, in an interview with Mohd Naushad Khan, spoke at length about Jamaat’s Family and Counselling Department. And how it can build positivity in society and create harmonious and peaceful relationship eventually strengthening Islamic family values through value-based counselling. Excerpts:
When was the counselling project formally launched, and what was the purpose behind it?
The concept of counselling within Jamaat isn’t new. For a long time, there have been informal initiatives, counselling centres, and training sessions, particularly at the grassroots level. However, during the last term, a decision was made to institutionalise this work by creating a dedicated department at the central level.
The primary objective is to address family issues systematically, prevent disputes from escalating, and support people through professional counselling services. One of the major targets is to establish 100 counselling centres across India.
What has been the approach to expanding this initiative across states?
The approach involves identifying people in each state who show an interest in family counselling, even if they aren’t professionally trained yet. These people are often approached for advice regarding marriage and family disputes. Groups of 60-70 such individuals are gathered for a two-day intensive workshop conducted by professional trainers. These workshops have yielded encouraging results, leading to growing clarity on what actual counselling entails versus traditional advice-giving.
How is counselling different from simply giving advice?
In many families, elders, friends, and relatives advise or even decide on behalf of the couple. But counselling is not about making decisions for others. It’s a structured, empathetic process. A counsellor’s role is to first listen patiently, to truly understand the person and the root of the problem. The counsellor doesn’t favour either side, unlike relatives who often take sides. The counsellor empowers individuals to make their own informed decisions – whether that’s to reconcile, separate, or adjust their expectations. True counselling requires patience, self-control, and deep empathy, not haste or imposition of personal views.
What are the main areas of focus for the Department?
The core focus is family counselling, particularly around marital relationships. There are several phases:
- Pre-marriage counselling prepares couples and even their families for the journey ahead.
- Preventive counselling addresses subtle issues before they become disputes.
- Dispute management counselling helps couples manage and resolve conflicts.
- Post-marriage support provides guidance for ongoing relationship maintenance.
There’s also work in areas such as child counselling, elderly counselling, and even career guidance, though these are not the department’s central focus. They are addressed if necessary, depending on the case.
Why is there such a strong emphasis on family counselling?
The family unit is seen as the foundational structure of a healthy society. Today, this institution is under threat from both external cultural influences and internal dysfunction. Western ideologies promote individualistic lifestyles, often undermining the value of traditional family systems. Within our own communities, families can become burdensome due to internal strife and misunderstanding.
If people view family as a source of stress rather than support, they may abandon it altogether. Jamaat’s counselling initiative aims to revive the attractiveness and joy of family life, promoting peace, love, understanding, and mutual respect within homes. The survival of this institution is essential not only for Islamic values but for humanity at large.
How is the Islamic value system integrated into this counselling approach?
Islamic values form the foundation of this counselling initiative. But that doesn’t mean enforcing rigid interpretations. The goal is justice, compassion, mutual respect, and fulfilment of rights, not blind endurance of oppression.
For instance, if a woman is suffering in a toxic marriage, she should not be told to stay just to “save her afterlife.” Islam provides legitimate means for her to exit a harmful situation. Counselling emphasises that religion should not be misused to silence the oppressed. Instead, it should guide people toward fairness, dignity, and peace.
Do you believe this initiative can help reduce the number of legal cases?
Absolutely. Many police stations and Darul Qadhas are already referring cases to Jamaat’s counselling centres. They understand that many disputes, especially marital ones, can be resolved without legal proceedings if handled with care. The aim is to resolve issues at the root, prevent emotional decisions, and guide people to consider all aspects before separation or divorce. This reduces the legal burden and, more importantly, emotional trauma.
Which states have counselling centres been established in so far, and how is the public responding?
Centres are currently operating or being developed in states like Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Western Uttar Pradesh. The response has been positive but slow due to cultural mindsets. In India, many people still resist the idea of counselling. They believe problems should remain private or that seeking help is a sign of weakness. Because of this, counsellors often have to reach out to communities proactively. However, where collective counselling programmes are held, like in pre- or post-marriage workshops, participation is increasing.
In cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, there is a growing awareness, and even police departments are cooperating with counsellors. Some centres, like the one led by Khalida Parveen in Hyderabad, have become well-recognised for their impactful work.
Are there any innovative activities being carried out under this initiative?
Yes. One notable example is the “relationship camps” organised in cities like Aurangabad. These camps operate like structured marriage exhibitions, where families submit profiles and attend matchmaking events in a dignified and organised setting. Such activities promote healthy marital decisions and align with the broader goal of building strong families from the beginning.
Additionally, WhatsApp groups have been formed state-wise to offer ongoing support to counsellors. These groups allow for regular updates, discussions on difficult cases, and sharing of best practices among professionals.
What kind of training is provided to individuals who wish to start a counselling centre in their area?
Individuals interested in starting a centre can receive full professional support from the Family and Counselling Department, including Participation in training workshops, Access to professional mentorship, Day-to-day case guidance, Membership in regional WhatsApp support groups, and Inclusion in national networks of counsellors.
The central team is always available for guidance. While logistical and financial support may be limited, the department ensures professional development and case-based consultation.
Looking at the future, what are the key challenges and expectations?
The biggest challenge is the shortage of professional counsellors. While the spirit and intent are strong, many volunteers lack formal training. The department is encouraging them to pursue certified courses to become more effective.
Additionally, the mindset of society must evolve to accept counselling as a positive and necessary step in healthy relationship. The hope is that continued awareness efforts, workshops, and community engagement will normalise the idea of seeking help.
As more centres are established and success stories spread, a societal shift will occur, where families actively seek harmony, justice, and emotional well-being, rather than tolerating dysfunction or heading straight for separation.
The Family and Counselling Department of Jamaat is not just a project, it’s a transformative movement aiming to heal fractured homes, strengthen the family institution, and offer an Islamic, value-based alternative to modern counselling paradigms. Grounded in justice, empathy, and empowerment, this initiative stands as a powerful example of how tradition and modernity can merge to serve society’s deepest needs.
With continued growth, professional development, and societal acceptance, these 100 centres could become the backbone of a healthier, more harmonious community life across India.
