Islamic Group (Lebanon)

Islamic Group
الجماعة الإسلامية
AbbreviationJI
LeaderSheikh Mohammed Takkoush
FounderFaysal Mawlawi, Fathi Yakan
Founded1964; 60 years ago (1964)
HeadquartersBeirut
Armed wingAl-Fajr Forces
IdeologySunni Islamism
Pan-Islamism
Social conservatism
Anti-Zionism
Political positionCentre-right to right-wing
ReligionSunni Islam
International affiliationMuslim Brotherhood
Parliament of Lebanon
1 / 128
Website
Official Site

The Islamic Group (Arabic: الجماعة الإسلامية Al-Jama'ah Al-Islamiyah) abbreviated as the acronym JI is a Sunni Islamist political party in Lebanon. Jamaa Islamiya was founded in 1964 as the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. In fact, it was established by young members of 'Ibad al Rahman (or the Worshipers of the Merciful). Its origins, as documented by Nizar Hamzeh, go back to the height of Gamal Abdel Nasser's efforts at Arab unity in the mid-1960s.[1] It supports the idea of establishing a legal order in Lebanon that is based on Islamic shari'a. As a local branch it closely follows the doctrines of the Muslim Brotherhood.[1] Fathi Yakan was the group's grandfather and main ideologue who is a veteran Islamist scholar and preacher from Tripoli.[1]

Its ex-leader is Ibrahim Al-Masri, who succeeded its former leader Faisal Mawlawi due to sickness. The party entered the 2009 Lebanese general election beside the Future Movement in Beirut's 3rd electoral district. Currently they have 1 seat in the Lebanese Parliament.[2][3][4]

  1. ^ a b c Saab, Bilal Y.; Magnus Ranstorp (2007). "Securing Lebanon from the Threat of Salafist Jihadism" (PDF). Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. 30 (10): 825–855. doi:10.1080/10576100701561236. S2CID 110251115. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  2. ^ A. Nizar Hamzeh "Islamism in Lebanon: A Guide to the Groups" Archived 2013-02-08 at the Wayback Machine, Middle East Quarterly, 1997, 4, pp. 47-53.
  3. ^ Kamal Shayya, Rania Sabaayon, Ghassan Makarem, Makram Kamel, Mustafa Hazim "Islamic Movements in Lebanon" Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine, Masar Association, Aِugust 2009.
  4. ^ Gary C. Gambill "ISLAMIST GROUPS IN LEBANON" Archived 2012-04-06 at the Wayback Machine, Middle East Review of International Affairs, 2007, 11.