Society of Muslim Warriors explained

Society of Muslim Warriors should not be confused with Movement of Militant Muslims.

Society of Muslim Warriors
Founder:Shams Qanatabadi and Mahmoud Shervin[1]
Colorcode:
  1. 239f40
Leader:Abol-Ghasem Kashani
Foundation:December 1948
3 February 1949 [2]
Dissolved:1955[3]
Wing1 Title:Militant wing
Ideology:Islamism
Pragmatism[4]
Pan-Islamism[5]
Islamic nationalism
Social conservatism
Membership Year:1948
Membership:~2,000
Position:Right-wing[6]
Headquarters:Sarcheshmeh, Tehran
Religion:Shia Islam
Affiliation1 Title:Parliament
Affiliation1:National Movement faction[7]
Seats1 Title:17th Majlis
Seats1:
Hex:
  1. 239f40
Country:Iran

Society of Muslim Mojaheds (Persian: مجمع مسلمانان مجاهد|Majmaʿ-e mosalmānān-e mojāhed) or Society of Mojahedin of Islam (Persian: مجمع مجاهدین اسلام|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.[4] [8] The two organizations revoked alliance in 1951.[4] Society of Muslim Warriors called for the implementation of sharia, repeal of secular laws, protection of national industries and unity of Muslims against the West.[8]

The group supported nationalization of the Iranian oil industry[8] and was part of the National Front.[5] 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 1952 Iranian legislative election by Kashani and Qanatabadi.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: KĀŠĀNI, SAYYED ABU'L-QĀSEM. Encyclopædia Iranica. April 24, 2012. December 15, 2011. Bibliotheca Persica Press. New York City. XV. Ali Rahnema. Yarshater. Ehsan. Ehsan Yarshater. March 15, 2016. Fasc. 6. 640–647.
  2. Book: Rahnema. Ali. Behind the 1953 Coup in Iran: Thugs, Turncoats, Soldiers, and Spooks. 24 November 2014 . Cambridge University Press. 978-1-107-07606-8. 57–59.
  3. Web site: Ghasempour. Davoud. "جمعيت فداييان اسلام" و "مجمع مسلمانان مجاهد". Fars News Agency. 27 April 2017. Persian. 8 February 2010.
  4. Book: Ervand Abrahamian. 1982. Iran Between Two Revolutions. 0-691-10134-5. Princeton University Press. 258–259.
  5. Book: Samih K. Farsoun . Mehrdad Mashayekhi . 2005. Iran: Political Culture in the Islamic Republic. 978-1-134-96947-0. Routledge. 59.
  6. Book: James A. Bill . John Alden Williams . 2002. Roman Catholics and Shi'i Muslims: Prayer, Passion, and Politics. 978-0-8078-7492-9. University of North Carolina Press. Chapter 6.
  7. Book: Ervand Abrahamian. 1982. Iran Between Two Revolutions. 0-691-10134-5. Princeton University Press. 427.
  8. Book: Fadaee. Simin. Social Movements in Iran: Environmentalism and Civil Society. 2012. Routledge. 978-0-415-69357-8. 48–49.
  9. Book: Ervand Abrahamian. 1982. Iran Between Two Revolutions. 0-691-10134-5. Princeton University Press. 269.