Sunni Ittehad Council

Political party in Pakistan

Sunni Ittehad Council

سنی اتحاد کونسل

Abbreviation| SIC
Chairman| Sahibzada Hamid Raza
Founder| Muhammad Fazal Karim
Founded| 2009
Ideology|

* Pan-Islamism
* Sunni Islamism
* Populism
* Anti-Americanism[1]

Political position| Right-wing[2]
Religion| Sunni Islam (Barelvi)
National affiliation| Difa-e-Pakistan Council[3]
Senate|

1 / 100

National Assembly|

85 / 336

Balochistan Assembly|

0 / 65

KPK Assembly|

93 / 145

Sindh Assembly|

9 / 168

Punjab Assembly|

113 / 371

Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly|

0 / 33

Azad Kashmir Assembly|

0 / 49

Election symbol
Horse

Party flag
Website
https://twitter.com/_SICPak

* Politics of Pakistan
* Political parties
* Elections

Part of a series on

Ahle Sunnat Barelvi
Ideology and influences

* Sunni Islam
* Maturidi theology
* Hanafi fiqh
* Shafiʽi fiqh

Key figures

* Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi
* Hassan Raza Khan
* Naeem-ud-Deen Muradabadi
* Hamid Raza Khan
* Jamaat Ali Shah
* Mustafa Raza Khan Qadri
* Maulana Abdul Hamid Qadri Badayuni
* Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Hazarvi
* Ahmad Saeed Kazmi
* Amjad Ali Aazmi
* Ziaul Mustafa Razvi Qadri
* Akhtar Raza Khan

History/Movement

* All India Sunni Conference
* Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat

Notable Scholars

Past

* Shah Turab ul Haq
* Muhammad Fazlur Rahman Ansari
* Khwaja Qamar ul Din Sialvi
* Shah Ahmad Noorani
* Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi
* Arshadul Qaudri
* Syed Shujaat Ali Qadri
* Shamsul-hasan Shams Barelvi
* Maulana Ziauddin Madani
* Muhammad Alauddin Siddiqui
* Muhammad Shafee Okarvi
* Muhammad Waqaruddin Qadri
* Akhtar Raza Khan
* Khadim Hussain Rizvi
* Muhammad Arshad Misbahi
* Yaseen Akhtar Misbahi

Present

* Qamaruzzaman Azmi
* Ameen Mian Quadri
* Syed Shujaat Ali Qadri
* Hamid Saeed Kazmi
* Muhammad Raza Saqib Mustafai
* Kanthapuram A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar
* Ziaul Mustafa Razvi Qadri
* Sibtain Raza Khan
* Asjad Raza Khan

Institutions

India

* Jamiatur Raza
* Manzar-e-Islam
* Al Jamiatul Ashrafia
* Al-Jame-atul-Islamia
* Jamia Naeemia Moradabad
* Jamia-tul-Madina
* Al Madeena Islamic complex
* Markazu Saquafathi Sunniyya
* Jamia Nizamia
* Jamia Amjadia Razvia
* Madrasa Faizul Uloom
* Darul Huda Islamic University
* Jamia Shahbazia
* Madrasa-e-Aliya, Rampur

Pakistan

* Hizbul Ahnaf
* Ashraf ul Madaris
* Jamia Nizamia Ghousia
* Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies
* Jamia Naeemia Lahore
* Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University
* Mohi-ud-Din Islamic Medical College
* Dar-ul-Madinah Schools
* Minhaj University Lahore

United Kingdom

* Al-Mustafa Islamic Cultural Centre Ireland

Bangladesh

* Jamia Ahmadiyya Sunnia Kamil Madrasa

Sri Lanka

* Madrasa Faiz-e-Raza

South Africa

* Imam Ahmed Raza Academy
* Darul Uloom Pretoria

Notable Channels

* Noor TV (UK)
* Madni Channel

Notable works

* Kanzul Iman-Quran translation
* Tafsir Zia ul Quran
* Fatawa-e-Razvia
* Bahar-e-Shariat
* Husamul Haramain
* Zujajat al-Masabih
* Manaqib-al-Jaleela
* Zia un Nabi

Notable Organisations

* Jama'at Raza-e-Mustafa
* Dawat e Islami
* Mohiuddin Trust
* World Islamic Mission
* Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan
* Jamaat Ahle Sunnat
* Sunni Tehreek
* Tanzeem-ul-Madaris
* Sunni Ittehad Council
* Sunni Students' Federation
* Aalmi Tehreek-e-Namoos-e-Risalat
* Majlis-e-Tahaffuz-e-Khatme Nabuwwat
* Central Jamaat-e Ahl-e Sunnat
* Tanzeem ul Madaris
* Raza Academy
* Dargah-e-Ala Hazrat
* All India Sunni Jem-iyyathul Ulama
* All India Ulema and Mashaikh Board
* Muslim Charity
* Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan
* Idara-e-Shariah

Islam portal

* v
* t
* e

The Sunni Ittehad Council (Ittehad in Urdu for "unity", from al-Ittihad in Arabic meaning "united" or "jointly") is a political alliance of Islamic political and Barelvi religious parties in Pakistan which represents followers of the school of Sunni Islam.[4]

SIC was formed in 2009 and the current member parties of the Sunni Ittehad Council include the Aalmi Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat of Pir Afzal Qadri (of Gujrat) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) was founded by Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Hazarvi.[5] Later it broke into many factions.

One of the breakaway 'F' faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) was established by Sahibzada Fazl Kareem and Haji Hanif Tayyab. Now this faction is working under the leadership of Sahibzada Hamid Raza.[6]

Another breakaway 'M' faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan was working under Sayyid Mahfooz Shah Sahib Mashahdi (Peer of Bhikhi Sharif, Mandi Bahaudin). It also became part of Sunni Ittehad Council.

After the 2024 election, the winning independent candidates supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf joined this party at Imran Khan's behest.[7]

## Actions[edit]

In December 2011, the Sunni Ittehad Council launched a countrywide "Difa-e-Pakistan campaign" to create public awareness against NATO attacks on Pakistan’s border military posts in Mohmand Agency, and decided to hold a "Condemn America Day" on the 23rd of that month. Those NATO attacks killed over two dozens Pakistani soldiers.[3]

With Sunni Ittehad Council's chairman, Sahibzada Fazal Kareem presiding, this decision was taken at an 'All Parties Confereence' of many parties of Ahle Sunnat school of thought.[3]

The US government website Usaspending.gov shows that the Sunni Ittehad Council received $36,607 from Washington in 2009. Sunni Ittehad Council had organized anti-Taliban rallies in Pakistan in the past. But the council later demonstrated in support of Mumtaz Qadri who killed the liberal politician Salman Taseer for his criticism of anti-blasphemy laws in Pakistan.[4] According to a Hudson Institute report, "A few days after the assassination, leading religious groups led a demonstration of over fifty thousand people in Karachi in support of the blasphemy law. During the rally, Qadri was lionized as a Muslim hero, while rally leaders sternly warned the crowds against mourning Taseer, whom they claimed had deviated from Islam."[8]

In September 2011, the Council reacted to rumors that the United States might invade Pakistan in an attempt to put down terrorist networks in the country. The Council issued a fatwa stating that jihad against the US would become obligatory, were the country to encroach upon Pakistani soil, and urged the Pakistani government to prepare the nation for a holy war "in the way of God."[8]

On 12 October 2012, a group of 50 Islamic clerics in Pakistan issued a fatwā against the Taliban gunmen who tried to kill Malala Yousafzai. Islamic scholars from the Sunni Ittehad Council publicly denounced attempts by the Pakistani Taliban to mount religious justifications for the shooting of Yousafzai and two of her classmates.[9]

On 19 February 2024, PTI leader Gohar Ali Khan announced that its party-backed independent candidates in the 2024 general election, would join Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) as part of their parliamentary strategy.[10]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) submitted on 22 February the joining certificates of independent members aligning with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). According to details provided by the PTI Secretariat, a total of 86 independent members have pledged allegiance to the Sunni Ittehad Council for the National Assembly. Simultaneously, certificates of 105 members of the SIC for the Punjab Assembly and 85 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have been submitted. Moreover, the joining certificates of 9 independent members of the Sindh Assembly have also been presented to the Election Commission, further solidifying the SIC's presence in key legislative bodies.[11]

## Division[edit]

Due to some political divisions, the Sunni Ittehad Council broke into two. One faction, led by Sayyid Muhammad Mahfooz Shah Sahib of Bhikki Shareef, declared that Sahibzada Fazal e Kareem and Haji Hanif Tayyab had been removed from their positions due to attempting to create an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) without the prior permission of the member parties of the Sunni Ittehad Council, along with a host of other allegations.[12]

Sahibzada Fazal Kareem therefore established one group Sunni Ittehad Council (F) while Sayyid Mahfzooz Shah made another group called Sunni Ittehad Council (M). Fazal Kareem later died and the leadership of the Sunni Ittehad Council (F) was given to Sahibzada Hamid Raza.[6]

## Ideology[edit]

As the Sunni Ittehad Council is an alliance of several religious parties, it follows right-wing politics, and advocates for the involvement of religion in politics.[13] The party follows the Sunni denomination of Islam, and as Sunni parties do, the SIC claims to preach for the teachings of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad to be implemented, mostly to the Pakistani government.[14] Although the party follows the Barelvi and Sunni school of thought of Islam,[5] it has joined hands with parties of other denominations of Islam, most recently with the Shia party, the Majlis Wahadat-e-Muslimeen, under mediation by the SIC’s ally, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.[15]

The party has also openly criticized both the Taliban and the American military involvement in Pakistan,[1][4][5][16] while also heavily participating in anti-terrorism efforts.[17][16]

Following the 2022–2023 political unrest in Pakistan, the Sunni Ittehad Council voiced support for Imran Khan and the PTI. The SIC is heavily involved in supporting Imran Khan especially after the 2024 Pakistani general election.[7][13][18]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b Dawn.com (12 January 2012). "US let down by Sunni Ittehad". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 10 February 2014.
2. ^ Dawn.com (19 February 2024). "PTI-backed independents to join Sunni Ittehad Council: Barrister Gohar". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 24 February 2024.
3. ^ a b c "Sunni Ittehad Council to launch Difa-e-Pakistan drive". The News International (newspaper). 15 December 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
4. ^ a b c US aided Pakistan group which supported extremists Dawn (newspaper), Published 11 January 2012, Retrieved 11 December 2018
5. ^ a b c Khan, Aarish Ullah (2011). Sunni Ittehad Council: The Strengths and Limitations of Barelvi Activism Against Terrorism.
6. ^ a b Sunni Ittehad Council accepts Taliban challenge of debate Dunya TV News website, Updated 13 November 2013, Retrieved 12 December 2018
7. ^ a b "Sunni Ittehad Council moves ECP for allocation of reserved seats". Pakistan today. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
8. ^ a b Muhammad Ismail Khan. "The Assertion of Barelvi Extremism". Hudson Institute. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
9. ^ Jon Boone (12 October 2012). "Malala Yousafzai: 'fatwa' issued against gunmen". The Guardian (newspaper). Retrieved 12 December 2018.
10. ^ "PTI strikes deal as successful independents to join Sunni Ittehad Council". Samaa TV. SAMAA WEB DESK. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
11. ^ Zahid, Muhammad (22 February 2024). "Sunni Ittehad Council not allotted reserved seats in Punjab, Sindh". BOL News. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
12. ^ Khalid Hasnain and Muhammad Saleem (28 November 2012). "Alliance with PML-Q triggers rift in Sunni Ittehad". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 12 December 2018.
13. ^ a b "Independent candidates to join rightwing Sunni Ittehad Council: Imran's PTI". 20 February 2024.
14. ^ "Sunni Islam - Oxford Islamic Studies Online". web.archive.org. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
15. ^ "Pakistan: Imran Khan's PTI-backed candidates to join Sunni Ittehad Council, vows to form govt". www.indiatvnews.com. India TV News. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
16. ^ a b APP (16 October 2012). "Sunni Ittehad Council condemns Malala attack, urges crackdown on terrorists". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
17. ^ Dawn.com (5 February 2013). "Sunni Ittehad Council issue fatwa against terrorism". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
18. ^ "Pakistan's Imran Khan-backed candidates to join Sunni party -interim party chief". Reuters. 19 February 2024.

## External links[edit]

* Sunni Ittehad Council on Facebook

* v
* t
* e

Political parties in Pakistan

National Assembly|

* PTI (151)
* PML–N (81)
* PPP (54)
* MMA (15)
* MQM–P (7)
* BAP (5)
* BNP–M (4)
* GDA (3)
* PML–Q (3)
* AML (1)
* JWP (1)
* ANP (1)
* Independent (4)

Senate|

* PML-N (33)
* PPP (20)
* PTI (18)
* BAP (8)
* MQM-P (5)
* NP-P (5)
* JUI-F (4)
* PMAP (3)
* IND (FATA) (2)
* JIP (2)
* BNP-M (1)
* PML-F (1)
* ANP (1)

Unrepresented|

* Sunni Ittehad Council
* Sunni Tehreek
* Pakistan Green Party
* Communist Party of Pakistan
* Pakistan Peoples Party Workers
* Pakistan Christian Congress
* Muhajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi)
* Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party
* Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
* Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz
* Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party
* Sindh United Party
* Tehrik-e-Jafaria
* Jamiat Ahle Hadith
* Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan
* Awami Tahreek (Sindh)
* Pakistan Awami Tehrik
* Hazara Democratic Party
* Bahawalpur National Awami Party
* Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen
* Pak Sarzameen Party
* Mazdoor Kisan Party
* Pakistan Mazdoor Kissan Party
* National Democratic Movement
* Istehkam-e-Pakistan
* Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians
* Haq Do Tehreek Balochistan

* Portal:Politics
* List of political parties
* Politics of Pakistan

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template