Society of Muslim Warriors
Society of Muslim Warriors | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Abol-Ghasem Kashani |
| Founder | Shams Qanatabadi and Mahmoud Shervin[1] |
| Founded |
December 1948[1] 3 February 1949 (Official)[2] |
| Headquarters | Sarcheshmeh, Tehran[2] |
| Militant wing | Fada'iyan-e Islam (1948–51) |
| Membership (1948) | ~2,000[2] |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Right-wing[5] |
| Religion | Shia Islam |
| National affiliation | National Front (1949–52) |
Society of Muslim Mojaheds (Persian: مجمع مسلمانان مجاهد, translit. Majmaʿ-e mosalmānān-e mojāhed) or Socitey of Mojahedin of Islam (Persian: مجمع مجاهدین اسلام, translit. Majma'-e mojāhedin-e eslām), alternatively translated as Society of Muslim Warriors, was a Shia Islamist organization in Iran founded in late 1948. Led by Abol-Ghasem Kashani, the organization served as his multi-task religious, political, cultural, and social executive arm and mouthpiece.[1] It was adept at mobilizing crowds for street control, gang fights, strikes and demonstrations.[2]
The society was founded after Kashani decided that his original militant Fada'iyan-e Islam, was too single-minded and inflexible to act as a suave enforcer who could negotiate with various people.[1][2] Unlike its ally Fada'iyan-e Islam, Society of Muslim Warriors was not dogmatically fundamentalist and also differed in base of support, drawing its support mainly from wealthy bazaaris, guild elders, small shopkeepers and seminary students.[3][6] The two organizations revoked alliance in 1951.[3] Society of Muslim Warriorscalled for implementation of sharia, repeal of secular laws, protection of national industries and unity of Muslims against the West.[6]
The group supported nationalization of the Iranian oil industry[6] and was part of the National Front.[4] It supported government of Mosaddegh from 1951 to late 1952, when it turned against the government and formed an alliance with the Toilers Party of the Iranian Nation lasting until 1953 coup d'état.[2]
The society won two seats in the Iranian legislative election, 1952 by Kashani and Qanatabadi.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Ali Rahnema (April 24, 2012) [December 15, 2011]. "KĀŠĀNI, SAYYED ABU'L-QĀSEM". In Yarshater, Ehsan. Encyclopædia Iranica. Fasc. 6. XV. New York City: Bibliotheca Persica Press. pp. 640–647. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rahnema, Ali. Behind the 1953 Coup in Iran: Thugs, Turncoats, Soldiers, and Spooks. Cambridge University Press. pp. 57–59. ISBN 1107076064.
- 1 2 3 4 Ervand Abrahamian (1982). Iran Between Two Revolutions. Princeton University Press. pp. 258–259. ISBN 0-691-10134-5.
- 1 2 3 Samih K. Farsoun, Mehrdad Mashayekhi (2005). Iran: Political Culture in the Islamic Republic. Routledge. p. 59. ISBN 9781134969470.
- ↑ James A. Bill, John Alden Williams (2002). Roman Catholics and Shi'i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics. University of North Carolina Press. Chapter 6. ISBN 9780807874929.
- 1 2 3 Fadaee, Simin (2012). Social Movements in Iran: Environmentalism and Civil Society. Routledge. pp. 48–49. ISBN 978-0415693578.
- ↑ Ervand Abrahamian (1982). Iran Between Two Revolutions. Princeton University Press. p. 269. ISBN 0-691-10134-5.
