The Ahl al-Bayt (Persian: مجمع جهانی اهل البیت) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) in Iran. It was founded in 1990 by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a group of Shiite elites under the supervision of the great Islamic authority of the Shiites to identify, organize, educate and support the followers of Ahl al-Bayt. This group is known for its propaganda and support of Islamist militant groups in the Middle East.[1]

The comprehensive and specialized web directory on Quranic Knowledge and the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) School | The Rahnama Portal

Establishment and first conference

One of the most important goals of the Iranian government after the success of the Islamic Revolution was to foster unity among Muslims across the globe. In order to reach that goal, the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly was established in 1990.[2] Its first conference was held on May 21, 1990. More than three hundred scholars and Muslim elite, mostly Shiite, attended. At the end of this conference, through a letter, the participants asked Ayatollah Khamenei to establish the Ahl al-Bayt Assembly and he accepted.[3][4] Its statute ordained Tehran as the main center of this INGO.[5]

According to Abdul Karim Soroush, the establishment of the Assembly was a counter-offensive of traditionalist Shiite Clerics inside the powerful elite against Tehran`s Ecumenical Society (Persian: مجمع تقریب مذاهب) because they suspected it was developing tendencies to encroach upon the Sunnis.[6]

The following topics were discussed at the first conference:

  • Ahl al-Bayt and their scientific and cultural heritage;
  • Ahl al-Bayt's role in leading the Ummah;
  • Ahl al-Bayt's role in the unity of the Ummah;
  • Ahl al-Bayt's practical role in the maintenance of Islam;
  • Ahl al-Bayt and services of Islamic Revolution influenced by their teachings;
  • Human values and ideals of Ahl al-Bayt and the methods to implement them in social life;
  • The situation of the followers of Ahl al-Bayt and ways to support them and raise their dignity.[7]

Fundamentals

General Assembly

The General Assembly has a group of Islamic scholars and religious and cultural figures of the Islamic world. According to the statute, the General Assembly is held every four years. The first was held in February 1994 and was attended by more than 330 members of this Assembly from 61 countries as well as scholars and researchers from different fields and Muslim countries.[5]

Supreme Council

Some elite members of the General Assembly are or have previously been members of this council. According to the statute, members of this council are chosen by Vali-e-Faqih for five years.[6] The council is responsible for the adoption of policies, programs, the budgets' assembly and supervision of the Executive Assembly.[8]

General Secretary

The first General Secretary of this assembly was Ayatollah Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri, from 1990 until 1999. The second General Secretary was Ali Akbar Velayati.,[6] followed by Ayatollah Mohammad Mahdi Asefi.[9] Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Hasan Akhtari, a former Iranian ambassador to Syria, is the current General Secretary of the assembly.[10]

Secretariat

The Secretariat is divided into the Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of International Affairs, Department of Executive Affairs, Department of Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary-General and the Planning and Supervision Office.[11]

Goals

The following goals are declared in the statute:

  • Revival and expansion of Islamic culture, protection and defence of the Quran, the tradition of Prophet Muhammad and Ahl al-Bayt;
  • Defense of the rights of Muslims, especially Shiites;
  • Strengthening Islamic unity in the face of the propaganda of enemies of Islam;
  • Preservation of the cultural heritage and honours of the Islamic civilization;
  • Development, improvement and reform of the cultural, economic, social and other aspects of followers of Ahl al-Bayt.[5][12]

Some Manifestos

Controversies

The Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly has attracted several controversies. The organization is among several Iranian-backed groups as well as several activists in an attempt to export the Islamic Revolution and participating in some activities of the organizations (including ABWA) waging the campaign to delegitimize Israel.[20] It also has ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as Islamist militant groups in the Middle East region such as Hezbollah and Hamas.[1]

In February 2019, the Canada Revenue Agency revoked Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada's status after it was alleged it was “acting as a facilitator organization to support the operational goals” of ABWA.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 How Iran exports its Ideology – United Against Nuclear Iran
  2. ↑ Tavassoli, Sasan (2011). Christian Encounters with Iran: Engaging Muslim Thinkers After the Revolution. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 9781845117610.
  3. ↑ "Introduction to the Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly". Newsgroup: hamshahrionline.ir. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Ebrahimi, Mahboobeh. "Introduction to cultural centers". Shmim-e Yas.
  5. 1 2 3 "Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly". Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Rainer, Brunner; Werner, Ende, eds. (January 2001). The Twelver Shia in Modern Times: Religious Culture and Political History. Brill. ISBN 9004118039.
  7. ↑ Vaez zadeh Khorasani, Muhammad (1990). "World Congress of Ahl Al-Bayt". Meshkat. 27 (27): 1–23.
  8. ↑ "At the activities and goals of the Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly". Rasa News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly". Professional Training Center interpretation and Quranic sciences. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Seven options for the head of the Islamic Culture and Communications". News analytical database 598. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Ahl Al-Bayt World Assembly". Information Center of Seminary. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Encyclopedia institutions of Islamic Revolution". Encyclopedia of the Islamic Revolution and history of Iran. Archived from the original on 2015-10-12. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "condemning the assassination of a group of Hezbollah's warriors". ABNA. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Condemning the assassination of a group of Sunni Scholars of Basrah". ABNA. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Condemning the Fatwa of Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh about the destruction of churches". 26 March 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Warning about destruction birthplace of the Prophet in Mecca". Shia News. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Condemning the death sentencing for Sheikh Nimr". ABNA. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  18. ↑ "Condemning the arrested Shaikh Ali Salman". Afghan Voice Agency (AVA). Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Monifesto of Ahl Al-bayt World Assembly about massacre in Shikarpur". Shariyan. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  20. ↑ In Britain There Are several Organizations Affiliated with Iran Which Deal with Exporting the Islamic Revolution. They Spread Shi'ite Islam, Glorify the Islamic Revolution's Ideology, Disseminate Hatred for Israel and the United States and Promote Iran's Political Agenda. - Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
  21. ↑ "Toronto charity disputes CRA accusation it was formed to spread 'Iranian revolutionary ideology in Canada' | Globalnews.ca".
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