Secretary-General Mohammad-Nabi Habibi Head of Central Council Mostafa Mir-Salim | Deputy Secretary-General Asadollah Badamchian | |
Spiritual leader Ruhollah Khomeini (deceased) Founded August 2, 1963 (1963-08-02) Legalised December 11, 1990 (1990-12-11) | ||
The Islamic Coalition Party (ICP; Persian: حزب مؤتلفه اسلامی, Ḥezb-e moʾtalefa-ye eslāmi) is a conservative political party in Iran that favors economic liberalism.
The party is the pivotal organization within Front of Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader and is considered a lay ally of the influential Combatant Clergy Association. Tough still very active and influential, the organization experienced a gradual elimination from political power after rise of new conservative rivals in 2000s.
One of the oldest among the active parties in Iran, it represents older generations of conservatives and its main base of support is among bazaari merchants and shopkeepers in Grand Bazaar of Tehran and other cities, petite bourgeoisie and traditionalist clerics. It is probably the only political organization in Iran which possesses an organic relation with such a social base.
Since 1979, the party members have held high government offices and are influential players in the economy of Iran, dominating Iran Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines (ICCIM) and having "a say in the appointment of the minister of commerce". The party has also interactions with Mostazafan Foundation, Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation and Mashhad-based Astan Quds Razavi.
The party has affiliated parochial schools for boys and girls.
History
It played a vital role in the success of the Iranian Revolution. Following the revolution, it reduced its activities many members joined the Islamic Republic Party as leading members, resuming its activities after the latter's dissolution in 1987.