The Islamic Party of Turkestan is spelled /ɪsˈlæmɪk ˈpɑrti ʌv ˈtɜːrkɪstæn/. The first syllable is pronounced as "is" with a short i sound. The second syllable is stressed and pronounced with a long a sound. The third syllable is pronounced with a short i sound and the fourth syllable has a schwa sound. The fifth syllable is pronounced with a short u sound and the sixth syllable with a long e sound. The final syllable has a schwa sound. The correct spelling is important for accurately identifying and communicating about this political organization.
The Islamic Party of Turkestan (IPT) refers to an extremist militant group operating primarily in the Central Asian region and seeking to establish an Islamic state known as Turkestan. It advocates for the political, social, and religious unity of all Muslim-majority regions in Central Asia, including portions of China's Xinjiang province, as well as the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The IPT adopts a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam and promotes the implementation of Sharia law in its envisioned state. It seeks to unite various ethnic and linguistic groups in the region under a single Islamic identity while opposing any form of secular governance. The group's ideology is deeply influenced by Salafism and jihadist principles.
The IPT emerged in the 1990s during the disintegration of the Soviet Union and gained prominence through its participation in the Afghan civil war against Soviet forces. It has a history of engaging in armed conflict and insurgency, targeting local security forces and occasionally Western interests in the region. The group has also been implicated in various acts of terrorism, including suicide bombings and other forms of attacks.
Due to its extremist ideology and operational activities, the Islamic Party of Turkestan is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international bodies. It poses a significant security challenge for the countries in the region and has attracted the attention of counterterrorism efforts by both regional governments and global entities.