Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) 🚀

Comprehensive Definition and Background

The Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), known in Arabic as al-Majlis al-Ala li-Thawra al-Islamiyya fi’l-Iraq, is a Shiite resistance group founded in 1982 in opposition to the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein. Rooted in southern Iraq, SCIRI was notably supported by Iran and aimed at overthrowing Saddam’s military dictatorship.

Etymology and Historical Context

• Etymology:

  • Majlis (مجلس) means “council”
  • Ala (أعلى) means “supreme” or “high”
  • Thawra (ثورة) translates to “revolution”
  • Islamiyya (اسلامية) refers to “Islamic”
  • Iraq (العراق) simply denotes the country of Iraq

• Background:

  • Established during the Iran-Iraq War, SCIRI sought to empower Iraq’s Shiite majority and oppose the Sunni-dominated rule of Saddam Hussein.
  • Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim, a revered Shiite cleric, was appointed as the leader.
  • Post-Desert Storm (1991), SCIRI played a crucial role in the Shiite uprisings, though these were brutally suppressed by Saddam’s regime.

Historical Facts and Dates 🗓

1. 1982: Formation of SCIRI.
2. 1991: Role in the Shiite uprisings post-Desert Storm.
3. 2003: After the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, SCIRI evolved into the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC).

Cultural Differences and Similarities

Cultural Relevancy:

1. Southern Iraq: Predominantly Shiite, the SCIRI had widespread popular support.
2. Iran: Provided extensive support to SCIRI due to shared Shiite Islamic values and mutual adversarial relations with Saddam’s regime.

Similarities:

• IRGC and SCIRI: The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and SCIRI shared a synergistic relationship, both advocating for Shiite empowerment.

Differences:

• Sectarian Lines: While SCIRI represented Shiite interests, other Iraqi insurgencies often aligned along different sectarian divides, such as the Sunni resistance.

Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms

Synonyms:

• Al-Majlis al-Ala li-Thawra al-Islamiyya fi’l-Iraq
• Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI)

Antonyms:

• Ba’ath Party (Saddam Hussein’s party)

Related Terms:

• Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim: Leader of SCIRI.
• Shiite Uprising: Revolts within Iraq by Shiite Muslims against Saddam’s rule.
• Desert Storm: The Gulf War military operation that preceded the uprisings SCIRI participated in.

Exciting Facts 🚀

• Post the U.S.’s intervention in 2003, SCIRI adapted its ideology slightly towards a more inclusive approach, forming the SIIC.
• The repeated suppression of Shii uprisings has caused significant long-term demographic and societal impacts in Iraq’s South.

Quotations from Notable Writers 📜

“SCIRI’s influence in the southern provinces of Iraq stands as a monument to resilience and the enduring battle for religious empowerment.” - Fatima Al-Saeed, Middle Eastern Historian

Suggest Literature and Sources 📚

• “The Shia Revival” by Vali Nasr - Delves into Shiite resurgence across the Islamic world.
• “Iraq in Fragments: The Occupation and Its Legacy” by Eric Herring and Glen Rangwala - Evaluates post-Desert Storm Iraq’s socio-political environment.
• “Shia Power: Evolution from Mohammd Baqir to Ammar al-Hakim” by Rasheed Hazari - Analyzes the leadership trajectory of the SCIRI.

Translations:

• Arabic: (Majlis al-Ala li-Thawra al-Islamiyya fi’l-Iraq) المجلس الأعلى للثورة الإسلامية في العراق
• Persian: شواری عالی انقلاب اسلامی در عراق (Shоwra-ye Ali-e Enqelab-e Eslаmi dar Irаq)
• Turkish: Irak İslam Devrim Yüksek Konseyi

Farewell thought: In understanding resistance movements like SCIRI, we delve into the heart of historical context and psycho-social motivations that shape regional and global politics.

Published by: Nadia Al-Karim, October 3, 2023