Imamia Students Organisation is a Shi'a Muslim students organisation in Pakistan. It was founded by Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi on 22 May 1972 at University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. In 2012 it had "around 1200 units in Pakistan," covering all the five provinces of Pakistan, Tribal areas, Azad Jamu, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The Goal of this Organization is to set the lives of the young generation in accordance with the teachings of Quran and Mohammad-o-Aal-e-Mohammad (as), so that they may become good Human beings and Momins, and may defend the Highness of the Holy Religion and the geographical and ideological boundaries of Pakistan.Allegations were directed against ISO that they receive funding from Iran. ISO counters those allegations, stating that they only receive moral guidance from Iran.
The ISO has been part of the Shurae Wahdat-e-Islami since September 1988.
Imamia Students Organization Pakistan has been able to establish itself as one of the largest student organizations in almost all major universities and colleges in the country namely Karachi University (Karachi), Punjab University (Lahore), Agriculture University & Peshawar University (Peshawar), Quaid Azam University (Islamabad), Karakoram International University (Gilgit), Agriculture University (Faisalabad), Bahaudin Zakaria University (Multan & Sahiwal). As a student organization and shia organization it stands with the largest number of members and units across the country. It is widely seen through 40 years of its existence as a major shia force and set up.
Historically ISO 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 shias as well as muslim unity in different segments. Some of these organizations have been Imamia Organization (IO) - founded 1974, Tehreek Jafariya Pakistan (TJP) founded 1980 & banned in 2001, Shaheed Foundation Pakistan (SFP) - founded 1996, Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) - founded 2007, and a host of other organizations and groups that split from the organization like JSO (1997) and others.
ISO has strongly supported the restoration of Student Unions in Universities and colleges in Pakistan and stands in unity with the MTM - Mutahida Talba Mahaz's view on it. ISO is an important member of MTM, which is a representative organization of all important student organizations of Pakistan.
ISO being a strong adherent to Wilayat Fakih system implemented in Iran has been as representing Iranian agenda in Pakistan. Though the lack of funds and simple scale of the programs of the organization negate this point of view, ISO has largely come to be seen as a body representing the shia cause in Pakistan. It is one of the few organization 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.
With new challenges and sectarianism peaking in the country from 2008 onwards ISO has been observed to be spreading the message of Unity amongst Muslims at all levels.
Famous quotes containing the words students and/or organisation:
“The fetish of the great university, of expensive colleges for young women, is too often simply a fetish. It is not based on a genuine desire for learning. Education today need not be sought at any great distance. It is largely compounded of two things, of a certain snobbishness on the part of parents, and of escape from home on the part of youth. And to those who must earn quickly it is often sheer waste of time. Very few colleges prepare their students for any special work.”
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