Imam al-Mahdi Scouts
Encyclopedia
The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts are a youth movement of the Hezbollah in Lebanon
, named for Muhammad al-Mahdi
and established on May 5, 1985.
The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts became a member of the Lebanese Scouting Federation and thus of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
in 1998. The organization has about 42,000 members of both sexes between the ages of 8-16 organized into 500 local groups.
and protecting the environment.
The organization is divided in three sections according to age:
The Scout motto is Together to Serve.
, in the top center of which is a hand with an out-turned palm, possibly the Hand of Fatima, and supported on left and right by single scimitar
s; the text, which says , meaning "obey". The new emblem changes the color pattern and removes the scimitars.
On January 1, 2007, Fox News reported on the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts. In the report footage, the youth look very much like mainstream Scouts, with uniform
s in light and medium blue, white, yellow and purple for different groups, as well as badges similar to mainstream Scouts. The flag of the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts was shown flown from cars and along the roadside and features their emblem.
(ITIC) at the Center for Special Studies (CSS), the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts were established in 1985 and are operated under the jurisdiction of the Lebanese Ministry of Education
despite the movement's instructing tens of thousands of children and teenagers in military tactics and that they are "indoctrinated with the principles of radical Iranian Islam" at summer training camps in Shi'a communities in Beirut
, the Beqaa Valley
and south Lebanon.
The ITIC reports that male Imam al-Mahdi Scouts turning 17 make their way into Hezbollah's fighting ranks and that information appearing on the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts calendar notes more than 120 of the Scout’s members died as shaheeds in Hezbollah militant activity, including suicide bombers
(supported by English version of site); however, a Fox report said very few of the Scouts are actually chosen. In an interview with an Al Jazeera
journalist, a Scout leader stated that there was no obligation for Scouts to join the armed militants.
Another source for the involvement of the association in Hezbollah militant activity is a report published in Egyptian weekly Roz Al-Yusuf on August 18, 2006 by Mirfat Al-Hakim.
Robert F.Worth discussed the connections of the Mahdi Scouts with the Hezbollah in an article published in Scotland On Sunday
on November 23, 2008. In this article Bilal Naim, former Hezbollah's director for the Mahdi Scouts is cited: "After age 16 the boys mostly go to resistance or military activities".
German psychologist and researcher on fanaticism Peter Conzen compared Imam al-Mahdi Scouts and Hitler Youth
, saying that both associations defraud children of their youth.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, named for Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Mahdī is believed by Twelver Shī‘a Muslims to be the Mahdī, an ultimate savior of humankind and the final Imām of the Twelve Imams...
and established on May 5, 1985.
The Imam al-Mahdi Scouts became a member of the Lebanese Scouting Federation and thus of the World Organization of the Scout Movement
World Organization of the Scout Movement
The World Organization of the Scout Movement is the Non-governmental international organization which governs most national Scout Organizations, with 31 million members. WOSM was established in 1920, and has its headquarters at Geneva, Switzerland...
in 1998. The organization has about 42,000 members of both sexes between the ages of 8-16 organized into 500 local groups.
Program
Activities include camping, community service projects such as helping the disabled and cleaning places of worship, computing, fishing, team sports, boxing, reading classes, learning administrative skills, learning about IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and protecting the environment.
The organization is divided in three sections according to age:
- CubsCub ScoutA Cub Scout is a member of the section of the worldwide Scouting movement for young persons, mainly boys normally aged about 7 to 11. In some countries they are known by their original name of Wolf Cubs and are often referred to simply as Cubs. The movement is often referred to simply as Cubbing...
- ScoutsBoy ScoutA Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
- Rangers
The Scout motto is Together to Serve.
Emblem and uniform
The previous emblem of the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts includes the Scout fleur-de-lisFleur-de-lis in Scouting
The fleur-de-lis is the main element in the logo of most Scouting organizations, representing a major theme in Scouting: the outdoors and wilderness. The three petals or leaves represent the threefold Scout Promise in much the same way as the three leaves of the trefoil represent the threefold...
, in the top center of which is a hand with an out-turned palm, possibly the Hand of Fatima, and supported on left and right by single scimitar
Scimitar
A scimitar is a backsword or sabre with a curved blade, originating in Southwest Asia .The Arabic term saif translates to "sword" in general, but is normally taken to refer to the scimitar type of curved backsword in particular.The curved sword or "scimitar" was widespread throughout the Muslim...
s; the text, which says , meaning "obey". The new emblem changes the color pattern and removes the scimitars.
On January 1, 2007, Fox News reported on the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts. In the report footage, the youth look very much like mainstream Scouts, with uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
s in light and medium blue, white, yellow and purple for different groups, as well as badges similar to mainstream Scouts. The flag of the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts was shown flown from cars and along the roadside and features their emblem.
Controversy
According to the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information CenterIntelligence and Terrorism Information Center
Not to be confused with the California-based "Terrorism Information Center".The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center is an Israeli-based non-governmental organization with close ties to the Israel Defense Forces....
(ITIC) at the Center for Special Studies (CSS), the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts were established in 1985 and are operated under the jurisdiction of the Lebanese Ministry of Education
Education in Lebanon
-Education System:Primary education in Lebanon is for children aged 3 to 4. Basic education composes of two levels: elementary level and intermediate level. Elementary level is grade 1 to 3 and grades 4 to 6 . Intermediate level is grades 7 to 9...
despite the movement's instructing tens of thousands of children and teenagers in military tactics and that they are "indoctrinated with the principles of radical Iranian Islam" at summer training camps in Shi'a communities in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, the Beqaa Valley
Beqaa Valley
The Beqaa Valley is a fertile valley in east Lebanon. For the Romans, the Beqaa Valley was a major agricultural source, and today it remains Lebanon’s most important farming region...
and south Lebanon.
The ITIC reports that male Imam al-Mahdi Scouts turning 17 make their way into Hezbollah's fighting ranks and that information appearing on the Imam al-Mahdi Scouts calendar notes more than 120 of the Scout’s members died as shaheeds in Hezbollah militant activity, including suicide bombers
Suicide Bombers
Suicide Bombers is the name of a 2005 EP by Leæther Strip. For the Australian hardcore band see Suicide Bombers -Track listing:# Suicide Bombers# Suicide Bombers # The Shame Of A Nation # This Is Where I Wanna Be...
(supported by English version of site); however, a Fox report said very few of the Scouts are actually chosen. In an interview with an Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar through the Qatar Media Corporation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar...
journalist, a Scout leader stated that there was no obligation for Scouts to join the armed militants.
Another source for the involvement of the association in Hezbollah militant activity is a report published in Egyptian weekly Roz Al-Yusuf on August 18, 2006 by Mirfat Al-Hakim.
Robert F.Worth discussed the connections of the Mahdi Scouts with the Hezbollah in an article published in Scotland On Sunday
Scotland on Sunday
Scotland on Sunday is a Scottish Sunday newspaper, published in Edinburgh by The Scotsman Publications Ltd and consequently assuming the role of Sunday sister to its daily stablemate The Scotsman...
on November 23, 2008. In this article Bilal Naim, former Hezbollah's director for the Mahdi Scouts is cited: "After age 16 the boys mostly go to resistance or military activities".
German psychologist and researcher on fanaticism Peter Conzen compared Imam al-Mahdi Scouts and Hitler Youth
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth was a paramilitary organization of the Nazi Party. It existed from 1922 to 1945. The HJ was the second oldest paramilitary Nazi group, founded one year after its adult counterpart, the Sturmabteilung...
, saying that both associations defraud children of their youth.
External links
- Official homepage in Arabic
- Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center at the Center for Special Studies, Israel - main source for all reports and blogs
- Time magazine: Photo Essay: Inside Hezbollah
- The Middle East Media Research Institute: Egyptian Weekly on Hizbullah's Armed Children's Militias
- New York Times Article, Nov 21, 2008 : Hezbollah Seeks to Marshal the Piety of the Young
- Al-Jazeera Article, June 30, 2008 : Hezbollah's Scout Brigade
- PHOTO ESSAY The Mahdi Scouts: Youth of Hizballah