Jirga
Encyclopedia
A jirga (Pashto
: جرګه) is a tribal assembly of elders which takes decisions by consensus, particularly among the Pashtun people
but also in other ethnic groups near them; they are most common in Afghanistan
and among the Pashtuns in Pakistan
near its border with Afghanistan. It is similar to that of a town meeting
in the United States
or a regional assembly in England
, where important regional matters are addressed among the people of the area.
The genius of Afghanistan’s ancient culture has endowed the Nation with historic and invaluable traditions of social and political importance. Particularly precious and deeply ingrained is the tradition of holding Jirga. The basis for Jirga is the Holy Quran which commands Muslims to Shura (consultation), however this political gathering stems back from times prior to Afghanistan embracing Islam.[1] As has been practiced in Afghanistan for centuries, Loya Jirga is held when there is an issue of special importance concerning the community’s vital national and international interests. Jirga is a reliable and honorable process of decision making within the Afghan societies where after serious discussions decisions are made by involving all layers of the society. It is an unprejudiced and impartial body that takes decisions based on facts and logic. Indeed, evolution of political systems in different countries demonstrates that governments and institutions are built as a result of local gatherings and councils. Therefore, it is proclaimed that Jirga is an important political pillar of the civil system practiced and evolved in Afghan societies for many years.
In Jirgas comprehensive collective discussion and examination of the issues enable in-depth understanding, development and formulation of a common view or consensus that leads to a cohesive approach dealing with the concerning issue. This remarkable traditional process of mutual consultation also assists developing a commitment shared by the community to implement the resolution that has been resolved. In the presence of a proper mechanism and the way Jirgas are held, the consequent broad based understanding and the consensus reached facilitate to surmount fundamental issues threatening the Afghan Society.
The head of the state - in the pasts Kings - calls a Jirga by inviting the tribal leaders, scholars, professionals and prominent religious figures to take part in the process of dialogues and decision makings. Through a process of collective and deliberative consultation, the issue under consideration gets thoroughly examined and discussed by the Jirga members. Overall, a Jirga principally undertakes the following essential procedures.
General Procedures of a Jirga;
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
: جرګه) is a tribal assembly of elders which takes decisions by consensus, particularly among the Pashtun people
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
but also in other ethnic groups near them; they are most common in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and among the Pashtuns in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
near its border with Afghanistan. It is similar to that of a town meeting
Town meeting
A town meeting is a form of direct democratic rule, used primarily in portions of the United States since the 17th century, in which most or all the members of a community come together to legislate policy and budgets for local government....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or a regional assembly in England
Regional Assemblies in England
The Regional Assemblies of England were a group of indirectly elected regional bodies established originally under the name Regional Chambers by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. They were abolished on 31 March 2010 and replaced by Local Authority Leaders’ Boards...
, where important regional matters are addressed among the people of the area.
The genius of Afghanistan’s ancient culture has endowed the Nation with historic and invaluable traditions of social and political importance. Particularly precious and deeply ingrained is the tradition of holding Jirga. The basis for Jirga is the Holy Quran which commands Muslims to Shura (consultation), however this political gathering stems back from times prior to Afghanistan embracing Islam.[1] As has been practiced in Afghanistan for centuries, Loya Jirga is held when there is an issue of special importance concerning the community’s vital national and international interests. Jirga is a reliable and honorable process of decision making within the Afghan societies where after serious discussions decisions are made by involving all layers of the society. It is an unprejudiced and impartial body that takes decisions based on facts and logic. Indeed, evolution of political systems in different countries demonstrates that governments and institutions are built as a result of local gatherings and councils. Therefore, it is proclaimed that Jirga is an important political pillar of the civil system practiced and evolved in Afghan societies for many years.
In Jirgas comprehensive collective discussion and examination of the issues enable in-depth understanding, development and formulation of a common view or consensus that leads to a cohesive approach dealing with the concerning issue. This remarkable traditional process of mutual consultation also assists developing a commitment shared by the community to implement the resolution that has been resolved. In the presence of a proper mechanism and the way Jirgas are held, the consequent broad based understanding and the consensus reached facilitate to surmount fundamental issues threatening the Afghan Society.
The head of the state - in the pasts Kings - calls a Jirga by inviting the tribal leaders, scholars, professionals and prominent religious figures to take part in the process of dialogues and decision makings. Through a process of collective and deliberative consultation, the issue under consideration gets thoroughly examined and discussed by the Jirga members. Overall, a Jirga principally undertakes the following essential procedures.
General Procedures of a Jirga;
- By observing the need for a Jirga the head of the state invites tribal leaders, Afghan representatives, scholars, religious clergies, and governmental individuals to attend the Jirga
- The Jirga agrees on a Framework for communication with the parties involved
- The Jirga comprehensively discusses and understand the issue under-analysis
- The Jirga establishes a mechanism helping to reach the final decision
- The Jirga, finally, sets up a committee to implement and oversight the decision made by the Jirga members
See also
- Loya jirgaLoya jirgaA loya jirga is a type of jirga regarded as "grand assembly," a phrase in the Pashto language meaning "grand council." A loya jirga is a mass meeting usually prepared for major events such as choosing a new king, adopting a constitution, or discussing important national political or emergency...
— "grand jirga", a large congress called to discuss a particularly important event - Wolesi Jirga — "people's jirga", the lower houseLower houseA lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...
of the Afghan legislature - Meshrano Jirga — "elders' jirga", the upper houseUpper houseAn upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
of the Afghan legislature - Afghan Peace Jirga 2010Afghan Peace Jirga 2010The Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced the holding of a consultative grand council called the Afghanistan's National Consultative Peace Jirga or shortly Peace Jirga in his inauguration speech on 19 November 2009, after winning elections for a second term, to end the ongoing Taliban insurgency...
- Nanawate
- ShuraShuraShura is an Arabic word for "consultation". The Quran and Muhammad encourage Muslims to decide their affairs in consultation with those who will be affected by that decision....
, its Arabic equivalent
External links
- http://jirga.gov.af/en {Traditional Loya Jirga; Kabul-AFGHANISTAN}
- Pakistan court bans all trials under Jirga system
- Afghan Women Push for Inclusion in Peace Jirga
- Jirga System in Tribal Life