Islamic Movement of Afghanistan

(Redirected from Harakat-i-Islami)

Islamic Movement of Afghanistan (Persian: حرکت اسلامی افغانستان, Harakat-e Islami-yi Afghanistan) is a political party and former faction of the Afghan Northern Alliance (United Front) in Afghanistan. The movement is registered as a political party with the Ministry of Justice.[1] From its foundation to 2005, the movement was led by Asif Mohseni. The movement emerged in 1978. Initially the movement was inspired by the Islamic revolutionary ideas of Ali Shari'ati, but over time this influence waned.[2][3]

Islamic Movement of Afghanistan
حرکت اسلامی افغانستان
LeaderSayed Mohammad Ali Jawid
FounderAsif Mohseni
Founded1978
Ideology
National affiliationNational Coalition of Afghanistan
Website
islamicharakatparty.com
Islamic Movement of Afghanistan
LeadersAsif Mohseni
Sayed Mohammad Ali Jawid
Dates of operation1978-2001
IdeologyShia Islamism
Part ofTehran Eight
Northern Alliance
Allies Iran
OpponentsSoviet Union Soviet Union
Afghanistan Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
Taliban
Al-Qaeda

During the 1980s, the movement was part of the 'Tehran Eight', an alliance of Shia mujahedin factions supported by Iran that fought against the PDPA government and Soviet troops. The movement joined the Hezb-e Wahdat, which was intended as a united Shia political front, but soon bolted out of it.[2] During the Taliban years, it joined the 'Northern Alliance'.

After the US occupation of Afghanistan, the movement was divided into two. A dissident sector broke away, and formed the People's Islamic Movement of Afghanistan. The dissidents, led by Hussain Anwari, were based among the militia forces of the movement and had a more secular political outlook.

In the aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Harakat-e Islami-yi Afghanistan was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. government for its ties to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.[4]

In February 2005, Muhsini resigned as leader of the movement. Muhammad Ali Jawid, who has served in Hamid Karzai's first cabinet in 2001, became the new leader of the movement.

In April 2005, the movement joined the National Understanding Front of Afghanistan, a 12-member front of opposition parties. However, the front soon became inactive.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ministry of Justice - Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Archived 2007-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2013-03-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Afghanistan Online: Political parties and leaders in Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  4. ^ "Press release regarding US declaration".