Definition:

Mujahidin is the plural of mujahid, which is Arabic for "one who engages in jihad."

Although the western connotation of jihad and mujahid almost automatically relates to war, the words in their Islamic context don't necessarily do so. (See the more detailed explanation of the word jihad.

Muslims who engage in the defense of Muslim lands, or who take up a struggle in defense of the oppressed, the poor or the exploited, or against the oppression of the state or foreign invaders, consider themselves to be mujahidin.

Since 1979, the term has been applied most frequently to Arab and Muslim fighters who took up arms against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979-1990) and in defense of Muslims in Kashmir, the Balkans and Chechnya. The mujahidin of Afghanistan were financially and militarily supported by the United States and Saudi Arabia. The mujahidin of Kashmir have been (and continue to be) supported by Pakistan.

Also Known As: holy warriors.

Alternate Spellings: mujahideen, mujahedeen.