Mujahadein (Noun)
Meaning
A military force of Muslim guerilla warriors engaged in a jihad; "some call the mujahidin international warriors but others just call them terrorists".
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The CIA-trained mujahadein were instrumental in forcing the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- The mujahadein fighters were considered heroes by many in the Muslim world for their role in defending their faith against the Soviet occupation.
- Some analysts have argued that the mujahadein, once praised for their bravery, became increasingly radicalized over time, adopting extremist ideologies.
- Today many of the original mujahadein leaders from the Soviet war era have become influential politicians and power brokers in the Afghan government.
- In the early years after September 11, US government officials defended their decision to support the mujahadein by saying that they were anti-American but anti-Soviet as well.