Originates from the red flag of Khawarij sect, which is a part of Muslim Shiites. Then, the white and red base were simply divided, but was later changed to a zigzag. After independence in 1972, the white base was a zigzag with eigth corners but was changed to five along with the democratization in 2002. The number five symbolizes the five rituals of Islam (confession, prayer, zakat, fasting, and pilgramage).