George Zaki al-Hajj

George Zaki al-Hajj

Religious Affiliation	Christianity
Place of Birth	Baalbek, Lebanon
Known for	Christian thinker, researcher, and poet

George Zakī al-Ḥājj (Arabic: جورج زكي الحاج) is a Lebanese Christian thinker, researcher, and poet who is an admirer of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), especially Imam Ali (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a). He introduces Imam al-Husayn (a) as a symbol of sacrifice and fighting oppression and calls the Ahl al-Bayt (a) models of justice and freedom. In his poems, he has linked the Uprising of Imam al-Husayn (a) with the resistance in Lebanon and the issue of Palestine, and has considered Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution of Iran as an example of a popular uprising against oppression.

George al-Hajj has more than 30 books in his list of works, among which "Qasidat 'Ali" (Ode to Ali) and "Qasidat al-Husayn" (Ode to al-Husayn) are counted.

Biography

George Zaki al-Hajj is a Lebanese Christian thinker, researcher, and poet whose jobs have been mentioned as journalism and teaching at the university. He was born in the village of Iaat in Baalbek in southern Lebanon. George Zaki received his doctorate in Arabic literature from Saint Joseph University in Lebanon and his doctorate in critical literature from the University of Strasbourg in France.

George's View on Ahl al-Bayt

George Zaki al-Hajj is considered an admirer of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), especially Imam Ali (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a). He has cited his father's interest in Nahj al-balagha and his mother's participation in Imam al-Husayn's (a) mourning ceremonies as important reasons for his love for the Ahl al-Bayt (a). According to George, his father encouraged him to read the Qur'an and Nahj al-balagha.

George Zaki considers Imam al-Husayn (a) as the source of high human principles and the possessor of all good qualities who sacrificed himself for humanity like Christ. He says Imam al-Husayn's fight against oppression was to defend the truth and the legitimacy of Islam.

“ Since the day of Siffin, the bow of justice has been broken and unjust rulers are at work, and no one fights oppression except free men like the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet (s) who have dedicated their lives to help the truth. ” — George Zaki al-Hajj

He wishes to be able to compose an epic poem that depicts not only the lives of Imam Ali and Imam al-Husayn but also the biography of all the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet, which is a symbol of heroism, revolution, faith, and piety, and a perfect example for an honest social life.

George's Relationship with the Islamic Revolution and Resistance

In his poems, George Zaki al-Hajj has linked the issue of Palestine to the Uprising of Imam al-Husayn (a) and says: The fragrant soil of Karbala was irrigated with pure blood, and from it grow children who rise up in Palestine. In every child, there is a steadfast and enduring Husayn who fights against the aggressors. George also introduced the resistance in Lebanon as inspired by the Ashura movement.

George al-Hajj considers Imam Khomeini a personality different from Arab rulers who rose up against oppression and established a new system with a new cultural approach. He introduced the Islamic Revolution of Iran as a popular revolution without reliance on foreign factors. George has traveled to Iran several times and participated in events such as the Islamic Awakening Conference and Baran-e Ghadir, reciting poetry.

Works

Cover image of the book Qasida Ali

George Zaki al-Hajj's books are counted to be more than 30, some of which are written about the Ahl al-Bayt (a). One of these works is "Qasidat 'Ali (a) Kayfa Biqsha'ak" which is composed in praise of Imam Ali (a) and in Lebanese dialect. Another book by George Zaki is "Qasidat al-Husayn (a) Ya Ibn al-Kiram", in praise of Imam al-Husayn (a) and explaining the Ashura movement. According to reports, in total, George Zaki has authored more than 100 books and articles in the fields of literary and poetic criticism, politics, and social and cultural studies.

See Also

• George Jordac
• Sulayman Kattani
• Jurji Zaydan
• Bulus Salama
• Michel Kadi