Sibghatullah Mojaddedi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sibghatullah Mojaddedi
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Mojaddedi in September 2014
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| Acting President of Afghanistan | |
| In office 28 April 1992 – 28 June 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Abdul Rahim Hatif (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Burhanuddin Rabbani |
| Speaker of the House of Elders | |
| In office December 2005 – 29 January 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Vacant |
| Succeeded by | Fazel Hadi Muslimyar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 September 1926 Kabul, Emirate of Afghanistan |
| Died | 11 February 2019 (aged 92) Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Political party | Afghan National Liberation Front |
Sibghatullah Mojaddedi (Pashto: صبغت الله مجددي; Dari: صبغتالله مجددی; 27 September 1926 – 11 February 2019) was an important Afghan leader. He served as the acting President for a short time in 1992. He was known for being one of the first leaders to speak out against the Soviet-backed government in 1979.
Mojaddedi also started a group called the Afghan National Liberation Front. He became a respected figure among the different Afghan mujahideen groups. Later in his life, he helped approve Afghanistan's new constitution in 2003. He also led the upper house of the Afghan parliament, called the Meshrano Jirga, from 2005 to 2011. Many people saw him as a moderate Muslim leader.
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Early Life and Education
Sibghatullah Mojaddedi was born on September 27, 1926, in Kabul, Afghanistan. His family, the Mojaddedis, were well-known religious scholars. They were famous in Kabul for their knowledge of Islam. His family's history goes back to a famous Islamic scholar from the 16th century.
Mojaddedi studied Islamic Law in Cairo, Egypt, at al-Azhar University. This is a very old and respected university. In 1952, he returned to Afghanistan. He began teaching in high schools and at Kabul University. He became known for supporting Afghanistan's independence.
In 1959, he was put in prison. People thought he was planning against the Soviet Prime Minister. He stayed in prison until 1964 without a trial. After he was released, he had to leave Afghanistan. This was because he spoke out against the Soviet Union's influence. He lived in countries like Denmark and Pakistan before he became more involved in Afghan politics.
Leading the Afghan Resistance
In 1978, a new communist government took power in Afghanistan. This government caused many problems for Mojaddedi's family. His brother and other relatives were killed. While he was living in Peshawar, Pakistan, Mojaddedi started a group. It was called the Jebh-e-Nejat-e Melli, or National Liberation Front.
On March 13, 1979, he was the first person to call for a nationwide jihad. This was a call for a holy struggle against the communist government in Afghanistan. During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, he helped the Afghan mujahideen a lot. His group was especially strong in Kunar Province.
Mojaddedi wanted Afghanistan to be an Islamic republic. He was against extreme forms of Islam. He also had friendly feelings towards Western countries. In 1988, he was chosen to lead the Afghan Interim Government. This government was based in Peshawar.
Becoming President in 1992
In April 1992, Sibghatullah Mojaddedi was chosen to lead the Islamic Jihad Council. This council was created to set up a new government after the Soviet-backed rule ended. He arrived in Kabul on April 28, 1992. A large crowd welcomed him.
He became the acting President of the new Islamic republic. He offered forgiveness to almost everyone in Afghanistan. However, he did not offer it to the former President, Mohammad Najibullah. Mojaddedi said the public would decide Najibullah's future.
Not all groups supported his leadership. One group, the Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, started firing rockets at Kabul. There were fights between their forces and the new government's soldiers. Mojaddedi asked their leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, to stop the fighting. He said, "Mr. Hekmatyar was our brother. We were not expecting such an action. It is not allowed to him according to religion, according to Afghan tradition, to do this."
During his time as President, an Ariana plane carrying him was attacked. It was hit by a rocket as it was landing at Kabul International Airport. Luckily, the plane landed safely, and no one was hurt.
Mojaddedi served as President for about two months. In May 1992, a new leadership council was formed. This council changed Mojaddedi's role. He then resigned and gave power to the new council.
Later Political Roles
After the Taliban government fell in 2001, Mojaddedi returned to Afghanistan. He became the chairman of the 2003 loya jirga. This was a big meeting that approved Afghanistan's new constitution.
In 2005, he became the chairman of the Meshrano Jirga. This is the upper house of Afghanistan's parliament. He was chosen again as a member in 2011. He also worked on the Afghan High Peace Council. This council worked to bring peace to Afghanistan.
On August 26, 2015, Mojaddedi started a new political group. It was called the Council of Jihad and National Political Parties.
Later Life and Passing
In 2003, Mojaddedi survived an attack. Attackers blew up a car filled with explosives near his vehicle. Four people walking nearby were killed. Mojaddedi was only slightly hurt, with minor burns to his face and hands.
There was a false report in February 2016 that he had died. However, he was later seen at a ceremony. This ceremony celebrated the 27th anniversary of the Soviet army leaving Afghanistan. Sibghatullah Mojaddedi passed away on February 11, 2019. He was 93 years old.
Images for kids
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A robot, representing the "See also" section.
See also
- Politics of Afghanistan
- President of Afghanistan
- Afghan mujahideen
- Soviet war in Afghanistan
