The National Council of Resistance of Iran was founded in 1981 in Teheran. As the parliament-in-exile of the Iranian Resistance, it is a democratic coalition of various Iranian groups and personalities representing different political outlooks. NCRI has 560 members, including representatives of Iran's religious and ethnic minorities. It embraces representatives of Iran's diverse religious and ethnic population including the Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Turkomans, Muslims, Armenians, Jews and Zoroastrians. It also includes atheists and adherents to various other persuasions and schools of thought.
National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) seeks to establish a pluralistic, multi-party and democratic system in Iran. Half of the members of the NCRI are women. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi is the President-elect of the NCRI for the transitional period after the clerical regime's overthrow. As a national and unifying figure, Mrs. Rajavi guarantees a smooth transition of power to the people. Maryam Rajavi consistently promotes secularism and advocates tolerance towards all religions and faiths. She bases that on a moderate interpretation of Islam, (ie. that Islam rejects forcing religious beliefs on others) and considers the followers of all religions equal in the eyes of the law.
National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has established 25 committees to serve as the basis for the Provisional Government. Each committee is chaired by a prominent political personality who is an expert in that specific field. NCRI plans to run the country for no longer than six months, during which time its primary task will be to set up free and fair elections for a National Legislative and Constituent Assembly.
