Baradari (brotherhood)

Barādarī, or Birādrī or Biraderi (برادری), means Brotherhood and originates from the Persian word برادر Baradar, meaning "Brother". In Pakistan and India, it is used to denote a number of social strata among South Asian Muslims. According to British author Anatol Lieven, "the most important force in Pakistani society" are Baradari, usually far stronger than any competing religious, ethnic, or ideological cause. Parties and political alliances in Pakistan are based on Baradari, not ideology. Baradari have also influenced politics in some parts of the United Kingdom where a significant number of people are of Pakistani descent, most notably in Bradford.