Nationalist Concepts in the Bylaws and Programs of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (1994-2003) "A Historical, Political, Study"

Abstract

    Following the March 1991 Uprising, and with the support of Islamic charitable organizations and the oversight of the Muslim Brotherhood's Central Guidance Office, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) was officially announced on February 6, 1994. In South Kurdistan, the KIU served as a continuation of the Muslim Brotherhood movement. Regarding identity, it maintained a dual orientation between "Kurdistani-ism" and "Ikhwanism" (Brotherhood ideology), and its stance on the Kurdish issue did not transcend the Islamic perspective. In the bylaws and programs of the first (1994) and second (1996) congresses, the party avoided using the terms "nation" and Kurdish "nationalism," even viewing the nationalist concept as an "animal instinct." It regarded the Kurdish nationalist movement as a movement that deceived the youth, emphasizing Islamic brotherhood instead. In the programs of the first three congresses, the party did not believe in Kurdish national independence but rather viewed Kurds as an integral part of the Islamic Ummah.

     However, according to the spirit of "gradualism" and for the purpose of adaptation, the party presented itself as both an Islamic party and a Kurdish national party. In the programs of the second (1996) and third (1999) congresses, it declared its support for federalism for South Kurdistan modeled after the "Islamic Provinces" (Wilayat) system and defended this slogan in practice. It consistently emphasized protecting the achievements and the entity of South Kurdistan as the legitimate entity of the Kurdish people and participated in the cabinets of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Regarding the Kurdish issue in other parts of Kurdistan, the party lacked a clear mechanism or slogan, whereas it declared the right to self-determination for Islamic causes, such as the Palestinian issue.

   On the other hand, the KIU was prepared to form alliances only with Islamic forces and parties, yet its relations with other Kurdish parties remained stable. It did not participate in the internal conflicts (civil war) and, at the same time, supported the convening of a Kurdish National Congress. Meanwhile, in its first three congresses' programs, it highlighted the Kurdish language and culture as the most significant nationalist concepts within its bylaws and programs.