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Al-Ahbash

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Al-Ahbash
LeaderHussam Qaraqira
Founded1983
Beirut, Lebanon
HeadquartersVarious
IdeologyReligious pluralism
Traditionalism
Apolitical
ReligionSunni Islam (Sufi)
Website
www.aicp.org
Part of a series on Islam
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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 الإسلامية / 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] The organization runs Islamic schools affiliated with Cairo's Al-Azhar university.[1]

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 Lebanon in the 1950s, where 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] At the end of the 90's there were close to 250,000 Ahbash members worldwide.[1] Several public figures became Ahbash members, when it emerged in France beginning in 1991 such as rapper Kery James or Abd Samad Moussaoui.[9] In 1995 members of a salafi jihadi group called "Osbat al-Ansar" killed the leader of Al-Ahbash, Sheikh Nizar Halabi.[6][10]

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.[6] Al-Ahbash follows the Shafi school and Ash'ari theology, their Sufi aspect is derived from the Rifa'i brotherhood.[8] The group rejectsIslamist 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.[11]

Doctrinal Aspects

Shaykh Habashi's syncretic teachings draw upon a conflation of different branches of Islamic theology, and thereby elude unambiguous classification. In an address to his followers, Shaykh Habashi stated that "[w]e are Ash'aris and Shafi'is. The Ash'ariyya is the basis of our belief, and the Shfi'iyya is our daily code."[1] According to Thomas Pierret, Ahbash's ideology "can be termed "neo-tradionalist", in that it aims to preserve the Islamic heritage of the Ottoman era[8] - which they consider themselves to be the inheritors."[11]

Shaykh Habashi in his books and lectures blend[12][13][14][15][16] elements of Sunni and Shi'a theological doctrines with Sufi spiritualism by supporting the legitimacy of Imam Ali and his descendents while condeming Mu'awiyya, the caliph and governor of Damascus, and his son Yazid as "seditious" thus adopting Shi'ite tradition whereas setting apart from all other Sunni jurists.[3][5][6][17][18] Although not explicitly stated, Sufism plays also an important role in al-Ahbash's doctrine as demonstrated by the practice of several Sufi traditions such as the pilgrimage to holy men's tombs (Ziyarat), mystical dancing sessions, use of musical bands in religious ceremonies[19] and the support of three Sufi Tariqas.[6] The contention that it is a primarily Sufi movement,[6] however, has been disputed.[1]

Mustafa Kabla and Haggai Erlich identify "moderation" as the key word in al-Ahbash's "necessary science of religion"[6] and instance the group's twelve-goal platform whose second item calls for "[p]reaching moderation [...] and good behavior as ways of implementing religious principles, while combating extremism and zeal.".[1] This position is also reflected in the groups's decided opposition to the Salafist movement and radical Islamist thinkers, namely Sayyid Qutb, Muhammed ibn 'Abd-al-Wahhab, and Ibn Taymiyyah.[1][6] Al-Ahbash's rather progressive views on education, the role of women, and science contradict many of the above named writers' opinions. One further critical cleavage is al-Ahbash's strict rejection of any form of anthropomorphism of God which they accuse wahhabis of.[1] Consequently, Shaykh Habashi holds that "it does not befit God to speak like that, and his word is not a voice or letters"[20] and that therefore, the Qu'ran contains the word of God but could be written only after "Gabriel listened to His word, understood it, and passed it on to the prophets and the angels"[1][15][16] - a highly controversial point of view within Islam which is not fully compatible with the consensus of Sunnis.[1] The arguably most important split, however, is the question of the relation between religion, politics, and the state. Departing from most Islamic writings on this topic, al-Ahbash advocates a separation of religion and state and thereby rejects the idea of an Islamic state. Consequently, the group repeatedly emphasized the need for Muslim-Christian co-existence and tolerance towards other religious groups in Lebanon.[1]

Political Positions

As a political party when al-Ahbash ran for the 1992 Lebanese parliamentary elections, this constituency enabled its candidate, Adnan Trabulsi, to win a seat in a Beirut district that he lost in the subsequent 1996 elections though.[21]

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][11][22] They have been described as a Sect by various commentators,[23][22][24][25] while others see them as a valid religious movement.[3][5]

During the 1990s 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.[26]

In 2003, Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, issued a fatwa describing the Ahbash as "deviant" that sought to "corrupt the Muslim creed and incite sedition amongst the Muslim Ummah. Moreover, they are paid agents to the enemies of Islam." In 2007, Egypt also arrested 22 men for seeking to spread the Ahbash faith in the country.[27]

Due to its strong historical links with the Syrian regimes of the Al-Assad family, the Ahbash have often been in conflict with the Lebanese supporters of the anti-Syrian Hariri family and in 2005 at least two of its members were initially implicated in the Assassination of Rafic Hariri. The Ahbash also strongly opposed and demonstrated against the Cedar Revolution that was triggered by Hariri's assassination.[28][29] Ahbash remains neutral in the Syrian conflict despite pressure from both sides.[30]

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.[31]

In 2011, the Australian National Imams Council accused the Muslim Community Radio Incorporated as being associated with Al-Ahbash and made public announcement for government officials not to renew its broadcasting license.[32] However, the Australian Communications and Media Authority granted a 5 year license in 2011 which drew criticism from Islamic groups.[33]

In 2012, protesters in Addis Ababa accused the Ethiopian government of Meles Zenawi of promoting Al-Ahbash in the country.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kabha, Mustafa; Erlich, Haggai (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. JSTOR 4129146. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Kabha" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  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 c 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 c 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 e f g h i j Hamzeh, A. Nizar; Dekmejian, R. Hrair (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 error: The named reference "SufiResponse" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ Sfei, Antoine; Olivier Roy (2008). The Columbia world dictionary of Islamism. Columbia University Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0231146401.
  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.
  9. ^ Amghar, Boubekeur, Emerson, Samir, Amel, Emerson (2007). European Islam: The Challenges for Society and Public Policy. Centre for European Policy Studies. p. 29. ISBN 978-9290797104.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Rubin, Barry M. (2008). Chronologies of Modern Terrorism. M.E. Sharpe. p. 265. ISBN 978-0765620477.
  11. ^ a b c 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 error: The named reference "Pierret" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ al-Habashi, Shaykh 'Abdallah (1990). Sarih al-Bayan (Explicit Declaration). Beirut, Lebanon: Jam'iyyat al-Mashari'. pp. 86, 88, 90, 105('These ahadith are: "For whosoever I am master, this Ali is his master, 0 God support whosoever is"'), 111 ('Habashi does not give much importance to the Hanafi and Maliki Schools of Law'), 107, 195.
  13. ^ Manar al-Huda. Beirut, Lebanon: Association of Islamic Charitable Projects. November 1992, 32; ibid., April 1993, 37; April–May 1993, 45. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ al-Habashi, Shaykh 'Abdallah (1994). Al-Kafil bi-'Ilm al-Din al-Daruri (The Guarantor of the Necessary Science of Faith). Beirut, Lebanon: Burj Abi Haydar Mosque. p. 46.
  15. ^ a b al-Habashi, Shaykh 'Abdallah. Bughyat al-talib. Beirut, Lebanon: Association of Islamic Charitable Projects. p. 31.
  16. ^ a b al-Habashi, Shaykh 'Abdallah. "Shaykh Abdalla's lecture, 26 January 2003". Beirut, Lebanon: Association of Islamic Charitable Projects. Cite error: The named reference "Shaykh Abdalla's lecture" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  17. ^ Rubin, Barry (2009). Lebanon: Liberation, Conflict, and Crisis. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 139. ISBN 0230623069.
  18. ^ Marshall, Paul; Shea, Nina (2011). Silenced: How Apostasy and Blasphemy Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 356. ISBN 0199812284.
  19. ^ A Sufi Response to Political Islamism, by R. Hrair Dekmejian, & A. Nizar Hamzeh, p.225.
  20. ^ Cited in Kabla and Erlich 2006: 531
  21. ^ Hamzeh and Demekjian 1996: 225; el Khazen 2003: 620, Table 2
  22. ^ 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).
  23. ^ Ramadan, Tariq (2004). Western Muslims and the future of Islam. Oxford University Press US. pp. 29, 234. ISBN 019517111X, 9780195171112. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  24. ^ "Syria and the Hariri assassination". The Economist (Print Edition). Oct 27, 2005.
  25. ^ Roy, Oliver (2006). Globalized Islam: The Search for a New Ummah. Columbia University Press. p. 227. ISBN 0231134991.
  26. ^ Tal, Nahman (2005). Radical Islam in Egypt and Jordan. Sussex Academic Press. p. 215. ISBN 978-1845190989.
  27. ^ Egypt arrests 22 men for corrupting Islam, by Cairo (Reuters), Thursday 13 December 2007.
  28. ^ Guide to Islamist Movements, by Barry Rubin, pp.322-323.
  29. ^ Last chance: the Middle East in the balance, by David Gardner, I.B. Tauris, 15 Jun 2009, the University of Michigan, pp. 135, 140.
  30. ^ [1]
  31. ^ Yalib, Yalib (August 30, 2010). "hezbollah-al ahbash meet". {{cite news}}: |article= ignored (help)
  32. ^ O'Brien, Natalie (January 9, 2011). "Muslims call for 'radical' radio station to be closed". Sydney Morning Herald.
  33. ^ Norrie, Justin (May 22, 2011). "Muslim radio stays on airwaves". Sydney Morning Herald.
  34. ^ Maasho, Aaron (May 11, 2012). "Ethiopian Muslims protest government 'interference'". Reuters Africa.
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