Imamia Students Organisation

Purpose

The objective of the Organisation is to build the lives of the young generation in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Koran, Prophet Muhammad and his progeny, so that they may become good and pious human beings, to defend the sanctity of the religion of Islam as well the geographical and ideological boundaries of the God gifted Pakistan.

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 (Lahore), Agriculture University Peshawar and Peshawar University (Peshawar), Quaid Azam University (Islamabad), Karakoram International University (Gilgit Baltistan), 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 Jafariya Pakistan (T.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.

Allegations

Allegations were directed against the I.S.O positing that they 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.

Achievements

With new challenges and sectarianism peaking in the country from 2008 on-wards, the I.S.O has been observed to be spreading the message of unity among the Muslims at all levels. On 22 May 2013, the I.S.O marked its 41st foundation day across the country with programs held in all major cities and units.