Violence has once again flared up between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On Wednesday (October 15), Pakistani security forces claimed that they had killed about 15 to 20 Afghan Taliban fighters. This information was given by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army.
The ISPR statement said the situation is still developing. There are reports of more gatherings at ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ and staging points of the Afghan Taliban.
Here the term ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ has been used for the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan has long held responsible for attacks within its borders.
The reason for the current conflict is the same old dispute. Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan is giving shelter to TTP terrorists. This organization, formed in 2007, has carried out many deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
In August 2024, the Government of Pakistan issued an official circular, which said that from now on TTP will be called ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’. The question is, what is the meaning of this word and what is the purpose behind choosing it?
What is the meaning of ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’
This word is made up of two Arabic words – ‘Fitna’ and ‘Khawarij’. Fitna means ‘anarchy’ or ‘rebellion against a religious ruler.’ Khawarij (singular ‘Khariji’) means – to separate or to come out of the group.
According to the Indian Express report, some of his supporters during the reign of Ali Ibr Abi Talib disagreed with Muawiya Ibr Abi Sufyan on the issue of arbitration. After the battle of Siffin in 657 AD, this group separated and said that the decision should not be of humans but of God.
This group later came to be known as Khawariz. They rejected Ali’s authority and launched attacks against him, after which Ali defeated them in the Battle of Naharwan (658 AD). However, in 661 AD, Ali was assassinated by one of these Khawarij, Abdul Rahman ibn Muljam.
What is it to be a ‘Khawarij’?
According to the report of Indian Express, Khawarij were extremely fanatical ideologues. They believed that any Muslim who commits a major sin falls out of Islam. Today many Islamic scholars also link groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS with this ideology. However, modern scholars warn that indiscriminate use of this term can lead to misunderstanding.
Why is Pakistan calling TTP ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’?
The TTP claims to be fighting against the atrocities of the Pakistani military, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They also talk about ‘liberating’ Pakistan from American influence. But the Pakistani Army has long considered these terrorists as a group that creates havoc within the country. Now, to challenge the ‘religious validity’ of TTP, the Pakistan Army has started calling them ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’, i.e. people who have deviated from the true path of Islam.
Trying to win public support
The Pakistani Army knows that the people in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are angry with the state and often support movements that speak for their rights. In such a situation, this strategy of the Army – presenting TTP as a ‘religious traitor’ is an attempt to win back the sympathy of the public. In this way, ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ is not just a name but has become a part of Pakistan’s ideological battle.
—- End —-
