Initially the movement was inspired by the Islamic revolutionary ideas of Ali Shari'ati, but over time this influence waned.
[2][3] During the 1980s, the movement was part of the 'Tehran Eight', an alliance of Shia mujahedin factions supported by Iran that fought against the PDPA government and Soviet troops.
The movement joined the Hezb-e Wahdat, which was intended as a united Shia political front, but soon bolted out of it.
The dissidents, led by Hussain Anwari, were based among the militia forces of the movement and had a more secular political outlook.
Muhammad Ali Jawid, who has served in Hamid Karzai's first cabinet in 2001, became the new leader of the movement.