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Al-Ahbash

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Al-Ahbash
LeaderHussam Qaraqira
Founded1983
Beirut, Lebanon
HeadquartersVarious
IdeologyReligious pluralism
Traditionalism
ReligionSunni Islam (Sufi)
Website
www.aicp.org

Al-Ahbash (Arabic: الأحباش‎ / al-aḥbash / [The Ethiopians] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)), also known as the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects (Arabic: ‏جمعية المشاريع الخيرية الإسلام‎ / jam'iyyat al-mashari' al-khayriyya al-islamiyya)[1] is a Sufi religious movement which was founded in the mid 1980s.[2] The group follow the teachings of Ethiopian scholar Abdullah al-Harari.[2]

History

The Association of Islamic Charitable Projects was founded in the 1930s by Ahmad al-Ajuz,[3] According to Gary Gambill the AICP arrived in the Lebanon in the 1950's were he says "they blended Sunni and Shi'a theology with Sufi spiritualism into a doctrinal eclecticism that preached nonviolence and political quietism".[4] The AICP remained without a leader until the 1980s when Abdullah al-Harari became the nominal head of the organization.[5] and was taken over by Al-Ahbash in 1983.[6] Al-Ahbash was founded in the suburb of Bourj Abu Haidar in Beirut and from there spread throughout the Lebanon to Tripoli, Akkar and Iqlim Al-Kharrub where they founded educational and religious institutions.[7] Beginning in the 90's Ahbash propelled from a minority group to the largest Sunni movement in Lebanon mainly due to Syrian government backing.[8] In 1995 members of a salafi jihadi group called "Osbat al-Ansar" killed the leader of Al-Ahbash, Sheikh Nizar Halabi.[6][9]

Religious beliefs

Al-Ahbash beliefs are an interpretation of Islam combining elements of Sunni Islam and Sufism. Their religious ideology is very much in line with the traditional Sunni doctrines, although the groups sometimes unrestrained use of takfir has brought them under discension by the wider Islamic community. Al-Ahbash follows the Shafi school and Ash'ari theology, their sufi aspect is derived from the Rifa'i brotherhood.[8] The group rejects Islamist figures such as Ibn Taymiyyah, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Sayyid Qutb. It advocates Islamic pluralism, and opposition to political activism (its slogan is "the resounding voice of moderation").[6] It also promotes its beliefs internationally through a major internet presence and regional offices, notably in the United States.[10]

Controversy

The group are seen as being controversial within Islam for its anti-Salafi religious stance as their Sufi and other beliefs are seen as heretical,[6][10][11] They have been described as a Sect by various commentators,[8][12][13][11] while others see them as a valid religious movement.[3][5] During the 1990's fighting broke out between the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Ahbash in what became known as the "war of the mosques". The fighting was started due to the brotherhood believing that Jordan's Ministry of Religious Endowments were giving precedence to Al-Ahbash members being allowed to teach in mosques from which they themselves were banned.[14] In 2010 Ahbash and Hezbollah members were involved in a street battle which was perceived to be over parking issues, both groups later met to form a joint compensation fund for the victims of the conflict.[15] In 2011 the Australian National Imams Council requested that the Muslim Community Radio Incorporated not have it's licence renewed due to ties with Al-Ahbash.[16] In 2012 The Ethiopian Government was accused of promoting Al Ahbash in the country by protestors in the capital.[17]

References

  1. ^ Kabha, Mustafa (2006). "Al-Ahbash and Wahhabiyya: Interpretations of Islam". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 38 (4). United States: Cambridge University Press: 519-538. doi:10.1017.S0020743806384024. Retrieved 2012-03-31. {{cite journal}}: Check |doi= value (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Seddon, David (2004). A political and economic dictionary of the Middle East (1st ed.). Routledge. p. 22. ISBN 978-1857432121.
  3. ^ a b Rubin, Barry (2009). Guide to Islamist Movements. M.E. Sharpe. p. 322. ISBN 978-0765617477.
  4. ^ Gambill, Gary C. (2009). Barry M. Rubin (ed.). Lebanon: Liberation, Conflict, and Crisi. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0230605879.
  5. ^ a b Rougier, Bernard (2007). Everyday jihad: the rise of militant Islam among Palestinians in Lebanon. Harvard University Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0674025295. Cite error: The named reference "Rougier" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d Hamzeh, A. Nizar (1996). "A Sufi Response to Political Islamism: Al-Ahbash of Lebanon". International Journal of Middle East Studies. 28. Beirut, Lebanon: American University of Beirut: 217–229. doi:10.1017/S0020743800063145. Retrieved 2009-04-10. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Sfei, Antoine (2008). The Columbia world dictionary of Islamism. Columbia University Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0231146401. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b c Pierret, Thomas (2010). "Al-Ahbash". Basic Reference. 28. Scotland, UK: Edinburgh Academics: 217–229. doi:10.1017/S0020743800063145. Retrieved 2012-04-27. Cite error: The named reference "Ahbash" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ Rubin, Barry M. (2008). Chronologies of Modern Terrorism. M.E. Sharpe. p. 265. ISBN 978-0765620477.
  10. ^ a b Pierret, Thomas (2005). "Internet in a Sectarian Islamic Context" (PDF). ISIM Review (Spring 2005). The Netherlands: International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World: 15. Retrieved 2009-04-10. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ a b Grayling, A. C. (2010). Ideas That Matter: The Concepts That Shape the 21st Century. Basic Books. p. 139. ISBN 0230623069. Cite error: The named reference "Grayling" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ Ramadan, Tariq (2004). Western Muslims and the future of Islam. Oxford University Press US. p. 29, 234. ISBN 019517111X, 9780195171112. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  13. ^ Roy, Oliver (2006). Globalized Islam: The Search for a New Ummah. Columbia University Press. p. 227. ISBN 0231134991.
  14. ^ Tal, Nahman (2005). Radical Islam in Egypt and Jordan. Sussex Academic Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-1845190989.
  15. ^ Yalib, Yalib (August 30, 2010). "hezbollah-al ahbash meet". {{cite news}}: |article= ignored (help)
  16. ^ O'Brien, Natalie (January 9, 2011). "Muslims call for 'radical' radio station to be closed". Sydney Morning Herald.
  17. ^ Maasho, Aaron (May 11, 2012). "Ethiopian Muslims protest government 'interference'". Reuters Africa.

See also


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