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'Izz al-Din al-Qassam

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ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām (1881–1935) was a religious scholar and orator from Syria and one of the first fighters against British colonialism and Zionism in Palestine. He considered armed struggle the only way to confront the occupiers and, by organizing popular forces, founded the first resistance cell. Al-Qassam is considered the founder of the first armed jihad organization in Palestine and was martyred in 1935 in a battle with British and Zionist forces.

'Izz al-Din al-Qassam, founder of the Islamic Movement in Palestine

His uprising became an inspiring model for subsequent Palestinian struggles, and his name remained as a symbol of resistance in Palestinian culture.

General Introduction

Shaykh 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam, known as the "Leader of the Mujahidin"[1] and the "Father of the Palestinian Liberation Struggles,"[2] was a figure of the Islamic movement in Palestine in the 13th/19th and 14th/20th centuries who had extensive influence among Arab Muslims.[3] After studying at al-Azhar University and engaging in legal activities in Syria, he launched an armed uprising against Zionists and British colonialism with the start of extensive Jewish immigration to Palestine in the 1930s. This uprising was formed in response to the violence of Jewish groups against Arab residents of Palestine, but despite his influence and impact, Arab leaders of that period refrained from publicly supporting him.[4]

Al-Qassam is known as a symbol of resistance, Jihad, and the culture of martyrdom in the history of Palestine. In honor of his position, the military wing of the Hamas movement is named the "Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades," and the rockets of this group are also known as "Qassam Rockets."[5] Institutions such as the The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought have referred to him as one of the pioneers of unity of the Islamic Ummah.[6]

Biography

'Izz al-Din 'Abd al-Qadir Mustafa Yusuf Muhammad al-Qassam was born in 1881 in the village of Jableh in the Latakia district of Syria.[7] His father, Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir Mustafa al-Qassam, was an employee of the Islamic Sharia sciences seminary and a follower of the Ahmadiyya (Qadianiyya) order,[8] and his mother was named Halima Qassab.[9]

At the age of 14, al-Qassam went to al-Azhar University in Egypt to learn religious sciences[10] and stayed there for 8 years. He benefited from the presence of professors such as Muhammad Abduh.[11] In 1906, after completing his studies and receiving a degree from al-Azhar University, 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam returned to his birthplace, Jableh,[12] and then traveled to Turkey to familiarize himself with educational methods in scientific centers.[13]

Al-Qassam immigrated to Palestine in 1920[14] and, after engaging in teaching, became known as a famous orator at the Istiqlal Mosque in Haifa. In his speeches, he emphasized Islamism, rejected compromise with the occupiers, and confronted sects such as Qadianiyya and Baha'ism.[15] His martyrdom in 1935 had a significant impact on the start of the "Great Arab Revolt in Palestine" in 1936 and was considered a turning point in the path of the Palestinian national resistance against British colonialism and Zionism.[16]

Martyrdom

On November 19, 1935,[17] British forces besieged Shaykh 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam and his companions around Haifa and demanded their surrender. Rejecting this request, al-Qassam was martyred in a fierce battle with joint British and Zionist forces.[18] A group of Palestinian leaders and dignitaries came to Haifa to attend al-Qassam's funeral, and the city was filled with people from all over the country.[19]

Tomb of 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam; before and after destruction

The body of 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam was buried in the historical cemetery of the village of "al-Shaykh" in the city of Haifa.[20] In 2012, the Zionist regime, continuing its actions against Arab and Islamic sanctities and figures, proceeded to destroy his grave.[21]

Beginning of Struggles and Activities

'Izz al-Din al-Qassam's first political activity began on November 30, 1911, with a protest march in the village of Jableh against the siege of Tripoli by the Italian war fleet.[22] In 1920, concurrent with the occupation of Syria by France, he began armed struggle and, by selling his house, provided 24 weapons for the fighters.[23] Most of al-Qassam's supporters were from the peasant and working classes who attended his classes, and later his combat cells expanded.[24]

By utilizing education, oratory, and organizing the youth, al-Qassam founded a cultural and jihadi struggle and, by establishing the "Young Men's Muslim Association," was able to attract various strata of society to the resistance. The operations of al-Qassam's group, beyond attacking Zionist settlements, included confronting traitors, British spies, and sellers of land to Jews. These actions, including attacks on patrols, military bases, and bombings, strengthened the spirit of resistance among Palestinians and confronted Jews with direct military attacks for the first time.[25]

Shaykh 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam had organized the revolution process in four stages:

  • Strengthening the spirit of struggle and public self-confidence,
  • Organizing secret resistance cells,
  • Forming steering committees to secure financial resources for purchasing weapons,
  • Starting an armed revolution against foreign domination.[26]
Commemorative stamp of 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam

'Izz al-Din al-Qassam in Image and Stamp

The series "'Izz al-Din al-Qassam" is a Syrian drama and epic series made in 1981 directed by Haitham Hakki. This series narrates the life and struggles of Shaykh 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam, the Palestinian cleric and fighter.[27] Also in 1985, the Islamic Republic of Iran published a stamp in memory of the 50th anniversary of the martyrdom of 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam, depicting the face of this Palestinian fighter.[28]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Bā 'ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām' pidar-i jang-hā-yi charīkī-yi Filasṭīn āshnā shavīd".
  2. ↑ Ṣafarzāda Tihrānī, Darāmadī bar shinākht-i ḥaqq wa bāṭil dar Ṭūfān al-Aqṣā, p. 55.
  3. ↑ Riyāḥī, Bīdārī-yi Islāmī wa naqsh-i rasāna-yi millī, p. 35.
  4. ↑ Markaz-i Taḥqīqāt-i Rāyāna-ī-yi Iṣfahān, Rūzshumār-i tārīkh, pp. 3290-3291.
  5. ↑ "Nigāhī bi tārīkhcha wa chigūnigī-yi shiklgīrī-yi shākha-yi niẓāmī-yi junbish-i muqāwamat-i Islāmī-yi Filasṭīn; Gurdān-hā-yi 'Al-Qassām'".
  6. ↑ "Pīshgāmān-i taqrīb; Shaykh ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām".
  7. ↑ Ḥamūda, Al-Waʿy wa al-thawra, p. 21.
  8. ↑ Khusrawshāhī, Ḥarikat-i Islāmī-yi Filasṭīn az āghāz tā intifāḍa, p. 74.
  9. ↑ Ḥamūda, Al-Waʿy wa al-thawra, p. 21.
  10. ↑ Shiḥāda, Rumūz al-iṣlāḥ al-Salafī al-muʿāṣir, p. 254.
  11. ↑ Sharrāb, ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām Shaykh al-mujāhidīn fī Filasṭīn, p. 35.
  12. ↑ Sharrāb, ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām Shaykh al-mujāhidīn fī Filasṭīn, p. 56.
  13. ↑ Shiḥāda, Rumūz al-iṣlāḥ al-Salafī al-muʿāṣir, p. 254.
  14. ↑ Shiḥāda, Rumūz al-iṣlāḥ al-Salafī al-muʿāṣir, p. 254.
  15. ↑ "ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām; bunyāngudhār-i muqāwamat dar Filasṭīn".
  16. ↑ "Shaykh ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām ki būd?".
  17. ↑ Ṣafarzāda Tihrānī, Darāmadī bar shinākht-i ḥaqq wa bāṭil dar Ṭūfān al-Aqṣā, p. 55.
  18. ↑ "Pidar-i jang-hā-yi charīkī".
  19. ↑ "Pīshgāmān-i taqrīb; Shaykh ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām".
  20. ↑ "Dastūr-i takhrīb-i mazār-i ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām ṣādir shud".
  21. ↑ "Takhrīb-i mazār-i shahīd Qassām tawassuṭ-i ʿanāṣir-i Ṣahyūnīstī".
  22. ↑ Khusrawshāhī, Ḥarikat-i Islāmī-yi Filasṭīn, p. 74.
  23. ↑ "Pidar-i jang-hā-yi charīkī".
  24. ↑ Riyāḥī, Bīdārī-yi Islāmī wa naqsh-i rasāna-yi millī, p. 35.
  25. ↑ "ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām; bunyāngudhār-i muqāwamat dar Filasṭīn".
  26. ↑ Riyāḥī, Bīdārī-yi Islāmī wa naqsh-i rasāna-yi millī, p. 36.
  27. ↑ "ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām".
  28. ↑ "Buzurgdāsht-i sālgard-i ʿIzz al-Dīn al-Qassām".

References

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