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Al-Ahed Telegram

Hassan Nasrallah … Victor without vanity

Hassan Nasrallah … Victor without vanity
folder_openSG General Activites access_time16 years ago
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Author: Salem Mashkoor‏
Source: Islam on line site‏
Summary: On the day news of his first son "Hadi" was brought by his comrades that he had fallen martyr in a confrontation against "Israeli" forces, he only replied by asking to be left alone for a few minutes in his office.‏
Behind the closed door, Sayyed "Hassan Nasrallah" did not cry, as he later declared, but he took time to himself, gathered his strength, values and concepts that had brought him to this point. He, then, went outside to receive the delegations' condolences. That day a Lebanese journalist, who was used to attacking Nasrallah and Hizbullah, said: "regardless of how much we differ with you, we can only bow to you; it is not customary in our time for a political party leader to let his own son join the fight against "Israel", in person, alongside other fighters."‏
However, when it comes to duties and responsibilities, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah brought to mind the picture of an Islamic leader who equates himself and his family with the rest of the nation.‏
Hassan Nasrallah, a spiritually inclined young man, grew up at Hay al-Karantina a poor neighbourhood on Beirut's outskirts, as a son of Abed al-Karim Nasrallah from deprived South Lebanon. Calm and shy yet ferocious against those whose jokes transgress religion or God himself. He often opposed friends over such matters to the limit of separation.‏
His friends were from various political leanings like communism, Nasserites, Baathists and Nationalists that`s when Lebanon was boiling with political and party struggles that later clashed in a long civil war.‏
At the time, the personality of Imam Moussa al-Sadr caught Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah`s attention; he attended his speeches in churches, mosques and public avenues, which focussed on humanity, faith, the nation, dignity and development.‏
Imam Moussa al-Sadr's charismatic presence (a dominant presence even when silent) and effective elocution appear to have rubbed Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah who strongly admired his personality.‏
As the civil war began, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah returned to his family village al-Bazourieh in South Lebanon, where he shared living in the deprived, while his eyes remained focussed on al-Karantina which witnessed horrific massacres.‏
Influenced by Imam al-Sadr, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah started his political party life by joining "Amal Movement" which was founded by al-Sadr himself. This later became the basis for his work in Hizbullah.‏
In 1976, at the age of only 16, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah travelled to Najaf City in Iraq; the centre for Shiite religious institution (al-Howzah) to begin a period of religious education. He was totally absorbed by ideology in its instinctive nature, no amusement, no fun, no going out and no travelling. Such matters are unavailable in al-Najaf Howzah atmosphere. Through commitment he proved himself astute in his studies.‏
In that period, he met Hizbullah leader, back then, Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawy from al-Bekaa-Lebanon who became his teacher and source of inspiration.‏
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah accomplished the first phase of his study in only 2 years which usually takes 4 to 5 years, a mark of excellence among knowledge seekers there. He then returned to Lebanon crowned with educational excellence to continue his studies in Baalbak area at a school established by Sayyed Abbas Al-Moussawi whose system applies the same principles of education as those at Najaf city school. He also became Amal Movement`s leader for Bekaa region.‏
The glow of the Islamic revolution in Iran created a new reality among Lebanese Shiites, particularly Amal movement where two lines of thought developed; the first wanted involvement in the Lebanese political arena, and the second persevered with spiritual learning and opened a direct ideological link with Iran, a link that proved successful in providing moral and material support during the "Israeli" invasion of 1982.‏
The split between the two lines widened and Nabih Berri joined in the National Rescue Commission alongside Bashir Al-Jumaiel while the second began work in a completely different direction which ended up in the establishment of "Hizbullah" and beginning the work against the "Israeli" occupation. The culture of Martyrdom and Jihad (holy struggle) for the sake of God also emerged as a title for action against "Israel", without abandoning the mission of spiritual education.‏
Between 1982 and 89, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was the party`s special organizational man par excellence. He was absorbed in the establishment, education and preparation of members in the resistance and Jihad, instilling them with concepts of fighting injustice and supporting justice. Those close to him say: He used to say: ""Israel" is strong only in our minds, when we drop this illusion and start using our inner strength, you`ll find that this entity named "Israel" is more feeble than a spider web".‏
Towards the end of the 80`s, Nasrallah travelled to Iranian city of Qom; the second centre for religious education. On that day, many said he had distanced himself from heated disputes within Hizbullah over local and regional party policies. However, others said that Nasrallah went through a preparation phase of weaving strong ties with Iran and Syria where his serious personality and party experience contributed despite his young age.‏
He was only 30th years old at the time when he saw that "strong Iranian-Syrian relations would provide Hizbullah with the best working conditions." Ensuing events proved the correctness of his analysis.‏
In 1992, following the martyrdom of Sayyed Abbas al-Mussawi when his convoy came under an "Israeli" Air force attack in South Lebanon, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was elected leader of the Party, by Hizbullah`s Consultative Council.‏
At the time, he wasn't party Deputy-Secretary General, and was the youngest member of the Consultative Council. Yet he was elected Secretary General. His mark started clearly appearing on the organisation`s policies and procedures, for it was he who launched the Katyusha weapon in the fight against "Israel". Also, he put forward the theory of "balance of terror" which incapacitated the "Israelis" and prompted them to sign the ‘April Understanding' which declares the resistance`s right to target occupation troops and positions.‏
After 18 years of establishing the party, Hassan Nasrallah stood in front of the biggest public gathering witnessed in the liberated South, crowned with victory yet void of any vanity. At the onset of his speech, he did not forget to mention his first exemplar Imam Moussa Al-Sadr and his role in igniting the spark of resistance as if he wanted to mention al-Sadr`s role in the making of his own shining personality.‏
Nothing in what Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said indicates the existence of seeds of vanity, his nature and spiritual upbringing - it seems - stand against that happening. He still considers the road is long and that winning a round in battle is not enough reason to relax. On the contrary, there are still other battles to be fought, probably non-military ones, like development and human building. And as he always emphasizes this is the message of Islam.‏