Islamic Action Front
Encyclopedia
The Islamic Action Front (Jabhat al-'Amal al-Islami, Arabic
: جبهة العمل الإسلامي) is a political party
in Jordan
. It is the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood
in Jordan.
Founded in 1992 with 350 initial members, Engineer Ahmed Azaida, Dr Ishaq Farhan and Dr Abdul Latif Arabiyat were the main force behind the formation.
Sheikh Hamzeh Mansour is the chief of the IAF and has declared the organization's intentions as eventually wanting "to be treated as free men" and as wanting "relations with the US based on mutual respect", while questioning US Administration's motives in the Middle-East and around the World.
with Israel
, IAF boycotted Parliamentary elections, citing manipulation by the government.
At the legislative elections
, 17 June 2003, the party won 20 out of 84 seats. All other seats were won by non-partisans. The National Democratic Block did not win any seats.
During the August, 2007 Municipal Elections, IAF withdrew their 25 candidates up for election, accusing 'the authorities of manipulating votes cast by military
personnel who were taking part in municipal elections for the first time.
The voter turnout for the election was a record-low 51%, but IAF still won four contests, including two mayorships.
Four months later, the IAF fielded 22 candidates for the Jordanian national elections held on November 20, 2007. Of its 22 candidates, only 6 successfully won parliamentary seats in the elections, marking the lowest showing of the Islamist party since the resumption of parliamentary life in Jordan in 1989.
The IAF attributed its loss to the government overlooking illegal practices such as vote buying, the transfer of large amounts of votes, and inserting large amounts of voting cards in ballot boxes Nevertheless, a few days after the election, the Muslim Brotherhood (the social organization that informs the IAF’s platform and whose political branch the IAF is considered to be) dissolved its Shura Council and started preparing for internal elections to take place within 6 months.
In 2009, the deputy secretary of the party declared that the Pope was not welcome in the kingdom, after plans were announced for Pope Benedict XVI to visit the country.
, pluralism, tolerance of other religions, and women's rights
as key to Jordan's development process and they do not support extreme revolutionary movements. They oppose Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, Fatah al Islam while sympathizing with Hamas
. The IAF's support base is primarily Palestinians residing in Jordan. The IAF act as the conservative element in Jordan's Parliament representing the traditional segment of society. Unlike in Egypt
and Lebanon
, Jordan's IAF backs the royal family and government and does not undermine it. They support the Palestinian cause and they oppose bilateral ties with Israel
.
The IAF's survival in Jordan
is primarily due to its flexibility and less radical approach to politics.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: جبهة العمل الإسلامي) is a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. It is the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood
Muslim Brotherhood
The Society of the Muslim Brothers is the world's oldest and one of the largest Islamist parties, and is the largest political opposition organization in many Arab states. It was founded in 1928 in Egypt by the Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna and by the late 1940s had an...
in Jordan.
Founded in 1992 with 350 initial members, Engineer Ahmed Azaida, Dr Ishaq Farhan and Dr Abdul Latif Arabiyat were the main force behind the formation.
Sheikh Hamzeh Mansour is the chief of the IAF and has declared the organization's intentions as eventually wanting "to be treated as free men" and as wanting "relations with the US based on mutual respect", while questioning US Administration's motives in the Middle-East and around the World.
History
In 1997, three years after Jordan's peace accordIsrael-Jordan Treaty of Peace
The Israel–Jordan Treaty of Peace was signed in 1994. The treaty normalized relations between the two countries and resolved territorial disputes. The conflict had cost roughly US$18.3 billion...
with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, IAF boycotted Parliamentary elections, citing manipulation by the government.
At the legislative elections
Elections in Jordan
Jordan elects a legislature on the national level. The National Assembly has two chambers. The Chamber of Deputies has 110 members, 104 elected for a four-year term in single-seat constituencies and 6 female members by a special electoral college. Of the 110 seats, Christians are reserved 9 seats...
, 17 June 2003, the party won 20 out of 84 seats. All other seats were won by non-partisans. The National Democratic Block did not win any seats.
During the August, 2007 Municipal Elections, IAF withdrew their 25 candidates up for election, accusing 'the authorities of manipulating votes cast by military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
personnel who were taking part in municipal elections for the first time.
The voter turnout for the election was a record-low 51%, but IAF still won four contests, including two mayorships.
Four months later, the IAF fielded 22 candidates for the Jordanian national elections held on November 20, 2007. Of its 22 candidates, only 6 successfully won parliamentary seats in the elections, marking the lowest showing of the Islamist party since the resumption of parliamentary life in Jordan in 1989.
The IAF attributed its loss to the government overlooking illegal practices such as vote buying, the transfer of large amounts of votes, and inserting large amounts of voting cards in ballot boxes Nevertheless, a few days after the election, the Muslim Brotherhood (the social organization that informs the IAF’s platform and whose political branch the IAF is considered to be) dissolved its Shura Council and started preparing for internal elections to take place within 6 months.
In 2009, the deputy secretary of the party declared that the Pope was not welcome in the kingdom, after plans were announced for Pope Benedict XVI to visit the country.
Ideology
The Islamic Action Front is more liberal than Islamist parties in some other countries. For example, they recognize democracyDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, pluralism, tolerance of other religions, and women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
as key to Jordan's development process and they do not support extreme revolutionary movements. They oppose Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, Fatah al Islam while sympathizing with Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
. The IAF's support base is primarily Palestinians residing in Jordan. The IAF act as the conservative element in Jordan's Parliament representing the traditional segment of society. Unlike in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Lebanon
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...
, Jordan's IAF backs the royal family and government and does not undermine it. They support the Palestinian cause and they oppose bilateral ties with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
The IAF's survival in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
is primarily due to its flexibility and less radical approach to politics.