Shuravi, shouravi, or shurwi (Dari: شوروی, Tajik: Шуравӣ) is the Persian term for the word "Soviet" or just "Soviet Union", it has been derived from the word shura (شورا), a word of Arabic origin meaning "council".[1]

This term is also the collective image of Soviet soldiers and military specialists in Afghanistan.[2] The image has been widely spread among Afghan people. A motto "Marg bar shouravi", meaning "death to the Soviets", was popular among mujahideen.

Russian veterans of Soviet–Afghan War often call themselves Shuravi.[3] The word is used in Iran meaning "USSR".[4]

References

  1. ^ Shuravi (شوروی) in Dehkhoda Dictionary
  2. ^ WORD FOR WORD: Idea of ‘shura’ and beehive —Khaled Ahmed
  3. ^ M. Laruelle et al., 'An Oral History of the Soviet-Afghan War', in: M. Laruelle (ed.), The Central Asia-Afghanistan Relationship: From Soviet Intervention to the Silk Road Initiatives (Lanham, Boulder, New York & London 2017) 27 & 31.
  4. ^ Azerbaijan-Iranian relations and Iraqi events

External links

Categories