Shura/Jirga

Shura  شوره

Jirga  جرګه 

Shura is a congregation with the purpose of making  a decision for the well-being of the whole gathering.  There is an open discussion, and everyone has the right to speak his mind and convince others to accept his point of view.  Traditionally, elders would speak, and the younger generation would accept their elders’ decisions.  However, in recent shura, it has been observed that younger generations are also allowed to speak.   Shura is also the plural form.

Jirga is a community gathering where there are two opposing parties, each trying to present his case.  The purpose of this type of a gathering is to elicit a decision by the attendees after hearing both sides.