Lebanon’s Salafists to Enter Electoral Politics

NOW LEBANON: Salafists across the region have emerged from the Arab Spring with considerable power in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In Lebanon, Salafists are also trying to broaden their political clout and have decided to enter electoral politics by establishing a new party that is expected to take part in the 2013 elections. While the move may create a rift among Salafist groups that prohibit political action, it is not expected to change the political dynamics in the country.

Salafism began in the 1950s with Sheikh Salem al-Shahhal, who founded the Islamic Association for Guidance and Charity in Lebanon to spread the call, or dawa. The association is now run by his son, Sheikh Dai al-Islam al-Shahhal. » | Nadine Elali | September 30, 2012