Islamic Dawah Organisation of Afghanistan

Islamic Dawah Organisation of Afghanistan. It is a prominent Sunni Islamist political and militant organization founded during the late 1970s. Established by the influential scholar Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, the group played a significant role in the anti-Soviet jihad and the subsequent civil conflicts in Afghanistan. The organization is known for its strict Salafi ideological orientation and was a key constituent of the Peshawar Seven alliance based in Pakistan.

History

The Islamic Dawah Organisation was founded in 1978 by Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, a graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, following the Saur Revolution and the rise of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. It quickly became one of the seven major Mujahideen factions recognized and supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and foreign powers like the United States and Saudi Arabia during the Soviet–Afghan War. The group was headquartered in Peshawar and operated primarily in provinces around Kabul, including Logar, Wardak, and Paghman. After the Soviet withdrawal and the fall of the Najibullah government, it became a major player in the Afghan Civil War, participating in the battle for Kabul and serving in the Islamic State of Afghanistan government. Its influence waned significantly after the rise of the Taliban in 1996, though it later re-emerged as part of the Northern Alliance opposing Taliban rule.

Ideology and objectives

The group's ideology is firmly rooted in the Salafi school of thought, advocating for a return to the practices of the Salaf and the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia. This placed it in ideological contrast with more traditionalist and Sufi-influenced Afghan factions like the Jamiat-e Islami led by Burhanuddin Rabbani. Its primary objectives historically included the expulsion of Soviet forces, the overthrow of communist and secular governments in Kabul, and the implementation of its interpretation of Islamic law. The organization also emphasized Islamic propagation and education as core missions, reflecting the influence of Salafi institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Structure and leadership

The organization has been dominated by the leadership of its founder, Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, who served as its amir and principal spiritual authority. Its structure during the jihad period mirrored other Mujahideen groups, combining a political wing based in Peshawar with a military apparatus of field commanders inside Afghanistan. Key military figures included commanders like Mullah Izzatullah and Qari Baba. After 2001, it transitioned into a primarily political entity, with Sayyaf remaining its central figure and serving in the Loya Jirga and the National Assembly. The group maintained a shura council for decision-making and was organized into various committees for military, political, and religious affairs.

Activities and operations

During the Soviet–Afghan War, its activities centered on guerrilla warfare against the Soviet Army and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan forces, receiving substantial funding and weapons from Saudi Arabia and the CIA. In the 1990s, it engaged in intense urban warfare during the Battle of Kabul, where it was accused of severe human rights abuses alongside other factions. The group also ran madrasas and recruitment networks from its Peshawar base. Following the U.S. invasion in 2001, it participated in the Bonn Conference and its leaders held positions in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan government, though its militant activities largely ceased as it integrated into the political process.

International relations and affiliations

The organization's most significant international relationship was with Saudi Arabia, which provided ideological inspiration, financial backing, and diplomatic support, aligning with the kingdom's promotion of Salafi Islam. It was also a core member of the Peshawar Seven alliance, coordinating with groups like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin and Yunus Khalis's faction under the umbrella of the Islamic Unity of Afghanistan Mujahideen. Its ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence were crucial for logistics and support during the anti-Soviet jihad. While initially opposed to the Taliban, some former members and commanders reportedly developed local arrangements or even defected to the Taliban insurgency post-2001.