Imamia Students Organization

^[1]Imamia Students Organization (ISO) (Urdu: امامیہ اسٹوڈنٹس آرگنائزیشن پاکستان) is a Shi'a Muslim student organization based in Pakistan. Founded on 22 May 1972, ISO promotes Islamic values, religious unity, student welfare, and ideological awareness among the youth. The organization has a significant presence in educational institutions across Pakistan and operates through a structured, tiered administrative model.

ISO was founded at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore by noted religious scholars and thinkers including Ayatollah Syed Murtaza Hussain Sadar ul Fazil, Molana Agha Ali Moosvi, Molana Safdar Hussain Najafi, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Naqvi (Shaheed). The founding vision was to organize Shi'a youth, particularly students, in a way that would preserve their religious identity, promote Islamic teachings, and counter secular and non-Islamic influences prevalent in educational institutions.

ISO follows a hierarchical and democratic governance model, recently updated to better organize its expanding network.

This is the top policy-making and executive body of the organization, formerly known as Ijlas-e-Amla. It sets national strategies, policies, and organizational goals.

Introduced as a new layer in the structure, this council supervises ISO operations within designated regions. Pakistan is divided into 10 ISO regions:

• Upper Punjab
• South Punjab
• Central Punjab
• Kashmir
• Gilgit-Baltistan
• Karachi
• Balochistan
• Upper Sindh
• Lower Sindh
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

Responsible for the administration of ISO units at the district level, coordinating local programs and student support activities.

Unit in Imamia Students Organization (ISO) is the basic and foundational operational body of the organization. It is established in:

Local Areas:

such as villages, towns, or neighborhoods where students reside, even if they are not attending the same institution.

Educational institutions:

such as schools, colleges, and universities, where students are enrolled.

Each unit consists of a group of active student members who conduct ISO’s regular programs, including religious gatherings, educational activities, community services, and organizational campaigns. Units are responsible for engaging students within their immediate environment—whether academic or residential—and serve as the frontline for implementing ISO's mission at the grassroots level.

The core objectives of ISO include:

• Promoting Islamic values and spiritual education among students.
• Encouraging Muslim unity and fostering inter-sectarian harmony.
• Eliminating secular and anti-Islamic elements from the educational system.
• Supporting financially disadvantaged students through educational resources.
• Developing youth leadership and community service ethics through structured programs.

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Imamia Students Organization (ISO) undertakes a wide range of activities aimed at student development, community welfare, and religious education. These include:

Religious and Educational Programs

• Weekly Quranic sessions and Hadith discussions
• Annual ideological training camps
• Seminars on Islamic history, ethics, and current affairs
• Commemorations of Milad-un-Nabi, Ghadir, Ashura, and other religious occasions
• Book fairs and Islamic literature exhibitions

Cultural and Literary Events

• Debates and speech contests
• Recitation competitions including Naat, Manqabat, and Marsiya
• Essay writing and article contests
• Islamic-themed poster design, calligraphy, and art exhibitions

Blood Donation Drives

• Major campaigns during Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th
• Emergency blood drives during crises and disasters
• Coordination with hospitals and blood banks

Career and Academic Counseling

• Free career guidance sessions in schools and colleges
• Support for university admissions and scholarships
• Training for competitive exams like CSS
• Workshops focused on IT, design, and media-related skills

Social and Community Services

• Food and ration drives, especially during Ramadan
• Relief camps during floods, earthquakes, and emergencies
• Free medical camps and eye check-up programs
• Cleanliness campaigns and plantation drives
• Mental health, drug abuse, and social awareness initiatives
• Peace walks and interfaith harmony events

Al-Quds and Protest Rallies

• Annual Al-Quds Day rallies across more than 200 locations in Pakistan
• Anti-Israel and pro-Palestine awareness campaigns
• Protests against Islamophobia and blasphemous actions occurring globally

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Contrary to claims of foreign influence, ISO maintains that it is entirely self-funded, primarily through member contributions. While the organization acknowledges ideological guidance from the Iranian religious leadership, it denies receiving any direct financial support from Iran.

Though ISO is non-political in its direct operations, it shares ideological alignment with organizations such as:

• Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM)
• Shia Ulema Council
• Tehrik-e-Jafaria Pakistan (TJP)

These connections often manifest in joint religious and humanitarian events, though ISO retains an independent identity.

As of 2022, ISO has over 3,500 units spread across urban and rural Pakistan. It continues to expand its footprint in both traditional and digital platforms to reach youth and mobilize them under its vision.

Aspiring members can join ISO through the official online portal:

• ISO Pakistan Membership Registration

After successful verification, applicants receive a digital membership card within 24 hours.

ISO maintains an active digital presence to connect with members and the public:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

• Official Website of ISO Pakistan

1. https://isopakistan.org/about-us/
2. https://imamia.wordpress.com/about/
3. https://dailytimes.com.pk/52373/muharram-blood-donations-elixir-for-thalassaemia-children/
4. https://www.abna24.com/news/1446629.html
5. https://oocities.org/imamiaweb/intro.htm
6. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sixth-attack-on-shias-in-parachinar-highlights-growing-intolerance-in-pakistan/story-