Definition
A 'loya jirga' is a grand assembly in Afghanistan, a traditional way to make major decisions on a national level. It brings together representatives from various ethnic, religious, and tribal groups. Think of it as a super-sized, national town hall meeting. Unlike a parliament, a loya jirga is convened only in times of crisis or to address fundamental issues. It's like calling a school-wide assembly to vote on a major policy change, involving students, teachers, and parents.