Forqan Group

Forqan Group
Leaders
  • Akbar Goodarzi, leader[1] Executed
  • Abbas Askari, deputy leader[1] Executed
Dates of operationc. 1976–January/May 1980
HeadquartersTehran, Jamalzadeh St., 23 Akhavan Alley[2]
Active regionsTehran, Urmia, Tabriz[3]
Ideology
Size49[1]
OpponentsIran Islamic Republic
Battles and warsConsolidation of the Iranian Revolution
Preceded by
Kahfis (People of the Cave)[1]

Forqan Group (Persian: گروه فرقان) was an Iranian opposition militant group with clandestine cell system[8] adhering to a Shia anti-clerical Islamist ideology.

Forqan assassinated some senior officials, including Gen. Valiollah Qarani, Morteza Motahari, Mohammad Mofatteh and Mohammad Ali Qazi Tabatabaei[9] but it was soon eliminated following the arrest and execution of its key members in 1980. The group also attempted to assassinate future Supreme Leader Khamenei in 1981.

The group opposed other social sectors such as the "wealthy bazaaris", the "liberal politicians" and the "Marxist atheists" who, in their view, "were plotting to betray the Islamic Revolution".[10] The group self-proclaimed to be followers of Ali Shariati, however, according to Ronen Cohen, the claim was used instrumentally to look more "prestigious" and allow them to develop their combined ideology.[11]

  1. ^ a b c d Cohen 2015, p. 30.
  2. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 116.
  3. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 177.
  4. ^ a b Barry M. Rubin, ed. (2010), Guide to Islamist Movements, vol. 2, M.E. Sharpe, p. 260, ISBN 9780765641380
  5. ^ a b Cohen 2015, p. 41-42.
  6. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 66.
  7. ^ Mohammadighalehtaki, Ariabarzan (2012). Organisational Change in Political Parties in Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. With Special Reference to the Islamic Republic Party (IRP) and the Islamic Iran Participation Front Party (Mosharekat) (Ph.D. thesis). Durham University. p. 166.
  8. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 41.
  9. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 80.
  10. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 51-52.
  11. ^ Cohen 2015, p. 76–77.