Imamia Students Organisation

Imamia Students Organization Pakistan
امامیہ اسٹوڈنٹس آرگنائزیشن پاکستان
Founded

22 May 1972

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore
Headquarters Al Mustafa House, Lahore, Pakistan
Ideology Revival of Islamic teachings among the modern generation
Religion Shiite Islam
Colors Green and Red
        
Slogan "Come towards the good deed." (Arabic: حي على خير العمل‎)
Website
http://www.isopakistan.org.pk

Imamia Students Organization (Urdu: امامیہ اسٹوڈنٹس آرگنائزیشن پاکستان‬‎) is a Shiite Muslim students' organisation in Pakistan. It was founded by Ayat ullah Syed Murtaza Hussain Sadar ul Fazil, Molana Agha Ali Mosvi, Molana Safdar Hussain Najfi, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali Naqvi Shaheed on 22 May 1972 at University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. In 2013, it has "around 1200 units in Pakistan,"[1] covering all the four provinces of Pakistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Organizational structure

Member - Any full time shia student of a College or University who is above metric or 10th grade can register as a regular member of the organization. Lower than metric or 10th grade are part of ISO Pakistan's Muhibeen network.

Unit - Any University or a college or locality having 10 or more members who agree with the mission objectives of the organization can come together to constitute a Unit. They can elect a President amongst themselves after a voting process of choosing between the two most eligible candidates. The elected President can then formulate a cabinet.

Divisions - Units are supervised and managed by Divisions of ISO Pakistan. ISO Pakistan's Divisions follow almost the same geographical layout as the official Divisions of Pakistan. Except in a few cases when newer divisions need to be created or geographical boundaries changed for effective working ISO Pakistan maintains the same layout as the official boundary. Current divisions of ISO Pakistan are - Karachi Division, Gilgit Division, Lahore Division, Quetta Division, Peshawar Division, Multan Division, Hyderabad Division, Naseerabad Division, Sukkur Division, Dadu-Nawabshah Division, Larkana Division, Dera Ismail Khan Division, Parachinar Division, Baltistan Division, Azad Kashmir Division, Jammu Division, Faisalabad Division, Sargodha Division, Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Bhawalpur Division, Rawalpindi Division, Gujranwala Division and Sahiwal Division.

Centre / Markaz - Divisions are all supervised by ISO Pakistan's Centre or Markaz headquartered at Al Mustafa House. The Center consists of the Central President elected annually at a Convention every autumn. The Central President himself a student also has cabinet of students from across the country. The Central cabinet lasts for a duration of 1 year. ISO Center is guided by Majlis Nazarat that consists of Shia Scholars and Ex Central Presidents. The Majlis Nazarat remains in direct contact with Wali e Faqih or the Supreme Leader of Iran for all religious matters.

All the organizational structure follows clear guidelines and policies laid out in its constitution with amendments every year.

History

Established in 1972, the Imamia Students Organization Pakistan, commonly known as the 'I.S.O Pakistan', has been able to establish itself as one of the largest students' organisations in almost all major universities and colleges in the country, namely Karachi University (Karachi), Punjab University[2] (Lahore), Agriculture University Peshawar and Peshawar University (Peshawar), Quaid Azam University (Islamabad), Karakoram International University (Gilgit Baltistan), Government College University Faisalabad[G.C.U Fsd.]N.F.C Faisalabad,Nishter Medical University Multan,University Of Sargodha(Sargodha)University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Faisalabad), Bahaudin Zakaria University Multan (Multan & Sahiwal), Islamia University Bahawalpur, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science & Technology, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh University Jamshoro, Agriculture University Tandojam, NED University of Engineering and Technology (Karachi), Dawood University of Engineering and Technology Karachi King Edward Medical University Lahore, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore. As a student organisation and religious organisation, it stands with the largest number of members and units across the country. It is widely seen through 43 years of its existence as a major Shiite Muslim organization.

Affiliations

Historically, the I.S.O has been termed as the "mother organization" as members of it whose terms terminated after the completion of their studies since they were no longer students went on to find a large number of different organizations and platforms that have worked for particularly Shiite Muslims as well as Muslim unity in different segments. Some of these organizations have been the Imamia Organization (I.O) - founded 1974, Tehreek e nifaz e fiqh e Jafariya Pakistan (T.N.F.J.P) - founded 1980 and banned in 2001, Shaheed Foundation Pakistan (S.F.P) - founded 1996, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen - founded 2007, and a host of other organizations and groups that split from the organisation like Jafaria Students Organization Pakistan (J.S.O) - founded in 1997, and others.

The I.S.O has strongly supported the restoration of student unions in universities and colleges in Pakistan and stands in unity with the United Students' Front (Urdu: متحدہ طلباء محاذ‎). The I.S.O is a representative organization of all important students' organizations of Pakistan.

The I.S.O being a strong adherent to Wilayat Faqih system implemented in Iran has been seen as representing an Iranian agenda in Pakistan. Though the lack of funds and simple level of operations of the organisation negates this point of view, the ISO has largely come to be seen as a body representing the Shiite Islamic cause in Pakistan. It is one of the few organisation that, despite massive challenges, has been able to be arms free and none of its members or ex-members have been implicated in murder or terrorist activities anywhere in the country.

The I.S.O has been part of the Islamic unity council since September 1988.[3]

Anti Americanism

ISO Pakistan has been the pioneer of the "Death to America" sloganeering in Pakistan following the Islamic Iranian Revolution in 1979 as the tradesmark of Imam Khomeini. It was the first to denounce American imperialism in Pakistan when almost all right wing parties as well as religious parties considered America an ally in the Afghan war against the Soviet Union. ISO Pakistan views its America as an imperialist transgressor dominating the world and supporting dictators and occupation of Palestine and harming all the Muslim nations across the world. In August 2017 ISO Pakistan again came to light for protesting against Donald Trump for accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism in neighbouring Afghanistan.[4][5] ISO Pakistan's massive rallies across Pakistan and especially in Karachi were highlighted in the media.[6] As a result of the rallies a visit to Pakistan by U.S. acting Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells was postponed in August 2017.[7]

It has been reported that the I.S.O received funding from Iran. The I.S.O countered those allegations, stating that they only receive moral guidance from Iran, more specifically the system of Wilayat Faqih.[1]

Goals

With new challenges and sectarianism peaking in the country from 2008 on-wards, the I.S.O has attempted to spread the message of unity among the Muslims at all levels.[8][9][10] On 22 May 2017, the I.S.O marked its 45th foundation day across the country with programs held in all major cities and units.

See also

References

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