Al-Ahbash

Al-Ahbash (Arabic: الأحباش‎), also known as the Ahbash or Habashis, is a religious sect in Lebanon, with political representation in Lebanon through the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects (AICP) political party (Arabic: جمعية المشاريع الخيرية الإسلامية‎ / jam'iyyat al-mashari' al-khayriyya al-islamiyya). Much more recently, the Habashi cult has been gaining propaganda in Ethiopia as the Ethiopian federal government has started to endorse this sect as the model for Ethiopians Muslims and assume government seats for Habashi leaders, sparking an outcry within the Muslim population in Ethiopia and their families. The sect goes away from mainstream Islam with light interpretation upon the practices of the religion, permitting actions that would be considered Fasiq (corrupt) or Makruh in Sunni Islam, inferring toward religious indifference.

Al'Ahbash follows the teachings of Abdullah al-Harari, an interpretation of Islam combining elements of Sunni and Shi'a theology with Sufism. It advocates Islamic pluralism and opposition to political activism(its slogan is "the resounding voice of moderation"). It also promotes its beliefs internationally through a major internet presence and regional offices, notably in the United States.

It is highly controversial within Islam for its anti-Salafi religious stance and with Sufi and other beliefs seen as heretical, and its political alliances (pro-Syria and conciliatory toward the West).

See also

• Politics of Lebanon

External links

• Association of Islamic Charitable Projects Official US site