How to Pronounce mujahideen

Meaning and Context

The term mujahideen (مُجَاهِدِين) refers to individuals who engage in jihad, an Arabic word meaning "struggle" or "striving." In its broadest religious context, a mujahid is one who strives in the path of God, which can encompass spiritual, intellectual, and physical efforts. Historically, the label became globally prominent during the late 20th century, most notably applied to the Afghan guerrilla fighters who, with significant support from the United States and Pakistan, resisted the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989. This successful resistance movement, often called the Afghan mujahideen, became a pivotal force in modern geopolitics and a symbol of Islamic resistance against foreign occupation. The term, however, is not monolithic; it has been adopted by diverse groups across the Muslim world in various armed conflicts, from the Bosnian War to the Chechen wars, each framing their struggle as a defensive jihad. Understanding the mujahideen definition requires recognizing its evolution from a general religious concept to a specific identifier for insurgent groups, which has profoundly impacted global security, counterterrorism policy, and Islamist ideology.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary transliteration from Arabic is "mujahideen," which is the most common spelling in English-language media and academic texts. A frequent alternative spelling is "mujahidin," which drops the double 'e' and is equally accepted, often seen in British English or more technical works. Other variants include "mujahedeen" and "mujahedin," which reflect different phonetic interpretations of the Arabic vowel sounds. Common misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses or keyboard errors, such as "mujahadeen," "mujahadeen," "mujahidein," or "mujahiddin." It is also sometimes incorrectly singularized as "mujahideen" when referring to one fighter; the correct singular is "mujahid." Confusion may also occur with the related term "mujahid" itself, sometimes misspelled as "mujahide" or "mujahaid."

Example Sentences

During the Soviet-Afghan War, the CIA funneled weapons and funding through Pakistan to various factions of the Afghan mujahideen.

Scholars debate the legacy of the mujahideen, noting how their victory empowered more radical Islamist elements in the region.

In his memoir, the commander described the disparate coalition of mujahideen as united only by their opposition to the invading army.

The term "mujahideen" is often used generically by media, but it's crucial to distinguish between the historical Afghan groups and contemporary organizations that adopt the title.

Early reports from the conflict zone referred to the local fighters as mujahideen, emphasizing their self-perception as religious warriors.

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