Word: pir
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Pir Sayed Ahmad Gailani, 56, is the most pro-Western and secular of the mujahedin leaders, despite his claim of direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad. Gailani's National Islamic Front is nicknamed the "Gucci Muj" for its leader's taste in well-tailored camouflage uniforms. Though he favors the return of exiled King Zahir Shah, Gailani is also a fervent believer in Western-style elections...
...down with a man who has killed so many of our friends?" Another reason is the rivalry among rebel leaders. They range from religious zealots like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e-Islami (Gulbuddin), who want to erect a theocratic state, to Muslim moderates like Pir Gailani who favor the traditional Afghan way of life...
Khalis, however, was not speaking with the full backing of his alliance's membership. Pir Sayed Ahmad Gailani, leader of the most important moderate guerrilla faction, criticized Khalis for failing to clear his statement with other mujahedin leaders. Gailani told TIME he favored talking with Cordovez. That way, he said, "at least he will know what our position is and pass it on" to the Soviets. Gailani's rebuff of a fellow rebel may be part of the jockeying for position in a post-Soviet power structure...