I managed to compile a list of the important Islamic movements in Libya, with a summary about their particular background and ideas. Very important for interested Western readers mainly because these group will play a major role in Libya’s future.
In a coming post I will try to discus the future of these groups according to the recent political situation, also notice that these are the recent active groups.
Libyan Islamic Movement
Emerged as a Movement in the early 80s (although the idea of its formation is back to the 70s), and then divided into two groups:
- (The Libyan Islamic Group), which later became known as (the Muslim Brotherhood)
- The original Movement, which continued to function under the name of (the Libyan Islamic Movement).
According to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ghali — a member of the movement — that the reason behind the split is the difference in the ideology and not in the objectives.
Ideology:
Focused on the Libyan internal Islamic issues. the Movement is open to the public opinion, distance itself from the elitists, and tend to discus modern-day Islamic issues.
The movement is more flexible than other movements, less extremists, and open to cultural, political debates, no regional or international connections with other Islamic Movements.
Libyan Islamic Group (Muslim Brotherhood)
Since 1993, known as (the Libyan Islamic Group), which is an extension of the Egyptian Islamic Movement founded by Hassan al-Banna.
Started its activity as a Muslim Brotherhood in Libya after the arrival of Muslim Brotherhood Egyptian teachers to work in Libya in the 50s of the last century.
Ideology:
The group believes that Islam is the State’s religion, its demands of toppling of Gadhafi’s regime to establish an Islamic State is its legitimate and obligatory duty.
Focuses on the modern history of Islam, The group supports the positions of other Islamic groups and movements in Libya.
Its speech focuses on the “globalisation” of Islam through the review of the Islamic activities around the world. From late seventies until mid-eighties the Movement changed its speech from direct Islamic preaching to the political side.
Publications
A magazine called (The Muslim), first issue published in September of 1980, and it is the first Libyan Anti-military regime (Gaddafi).
The group also released a its periodical bulletin on behalf of (Libya .. the voice of the Muslim youth), also released audio and video media files contain several interviews with Libyan Islamic figures.
The group also published few Islamic books on Libyan modern Islamic philosophy, including some of the chapters of the book (the new populism .. chapters in history and politics) — Mohamed Mustafa Ramadan, published 1971.
The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)
Armed organization with Salafi Jihadi ideology, established by a group of young men who participated in the Afghan war against the Soviet. The group carried out armed operations against security and civil organisation in Libya in the 90s in order to overthrow Gaddafi’s regime.
The beginning
In 1982, Ali Al-A’ashbi with 8 other Islamists formed the first cell, but the Libyan security service managed to eliminate this small cell. Another attempt in 1989, made by Awad al-Zawawi, created a new cell, but the members are arrested and jailed by the Libyan security. Later in 1989, Muhammad Al-Mhishhish a.ka. (Sayyaf Libya) created an underground group called the “Islamic Martyrs Movement”.
Relationship with al-Qaeda
The group cooperated with Al-Qaeda in the fighting against the Soviets, but there are various ideological reasons prevented the merger of the two groups. The goal of (LIFG) is to overthrow the Libyan ruling regime and the creation of an Islamic State, while the priorities of Osama bin Laden directed towards other goals, the respect between both groups existed, until Ayman al-Zawahiri the second man in Al-Qaeda announced the merge of both groups in November 2007.
Ideology:
On October 18, 1995 the “Libyan Islamic Fighting Group” issued its first statement on the announcement of the Fighting Islamic Group in Libya, which stated several points of its general policy:
- A Muslim group prepares for jihad against the enemies of God and any tyrant ruling regime other than what Allah has sent.
- Beliefs and understanding: the doctrine of the Sunnis according to the predecessor of [Mohammad’s] companions and followers.
- The purpose and goal: to please God and to the establishment his religion.
- Means: to follow the command of Allah Almighty in jihad.
- Method of work: confidentiality in the work according to the interest, and inspire the spirit of jihad and incite among the believers to fight in the name of God.
Publications
A monthly magazine called (Al-Fajir) first issue in 1994, published by the Islamic Information Center, distributed in London in the 90s, (at that time, London was open to receive many members of Arab-Afghan Islamic movements, during the war against the Soviet presence in Afghanistan).
A monthly article in the magazine uses tactical religious terms to recruit members in group to fight against the government in Libya.
Important operations
August 1996 — the group announced an attempt to assassinate Gaddafi in the Braak city south of the country.
October 1996 announced its attempt to assassinate Muammar Gaddafi in Sirt, his hometown.
1998 the group announced an attempt to assassinate Gaddafi in the eastern city Baidha.
Confrontation with the Libyan authorities:
Since 1995, the Libyan security organizations started to raided, jailed and killed many members of the group, especially in Benghazi. The group armed wing nearly ended in 1999.
reconsideration:
In 2009, there were (Corrective Studies), where many respected figures with other Islamic groups started a dialogue with (LIFG) to review their position from Jihad. Member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr. Ali Salaabi, and also former leader of the organization Numan Bin Uthman, and after these reviews Libyan authorities released many LIFG detainees.
Islamic Alliance Movement
Created 1974 and joined the Muslim Brotherhood) and later 1990 they split again because of some organisation differences. the group released an internal bulletin called (Al-Sabeel), most of the group’s ideologies are Islamic education.
Later many members of the group who believed in Jihad split and joined (LIFG).
