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Abdesslam Yassine

Abdesslam Yassine (Arabic: عبد السلام ياسين; 1928 – December 13, 2012) was the leader of the Moroccan Islamist organisation Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane (Justice and Spirituality).[1][2]

Abdesslam Yassine

Biography

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Yassine was born in Marrakesh. He worked as a teacher and a school inspector for the Ministry of Education, and from 1965 on, was a member of one of the most famous Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods, the Boutchichiyya.[2][3] Yassine reportedly fell out with the leadership of the brotherhood over its refusal to engage more directly in political matters, and founded his own organisation.

Yassine was jailed in a mental asylum for three years[when?] for publishing an open letter to King Hassan II denouncing his rule as un-Islamic. Following his release he was kept under house arrest for many years, before eventually being released in the early years of the rule of King Mohammed VI.[4]

Yassine's many publications include L'Islam ou le Deluge (Islam or the Flood),[5] probably the best known of his works.

Yassine died on 13 December 2012.[1][2] He was married to Khadija Al Malki who died in late March 2015[6] and is the father of Nadia Yassine who leads the women's branch of Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane. Abdassalam Yassine dedicated much of his life to establishing a moderate and peaceful Islamic organization through his founding of Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan (Justice and Spirituality). Here are some key aspects of his efforts:

Founding Principles Yassine founded Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan in 1981, emphasizing principles of justice, spirituality, non-violence, and social justice. He believed that these principles were essential for creating a fair and harmonious society.

Spiritual and Ethical Foundations The organization places a strong emphasis on spiritual development and ethical behavior. Yassine's teachings encouraged followers to cultivate personal piety and moral integrity as a foundation for broader social and political engagement.

Non-Violent Approach Yassine consistently advocated for non-violence and peaceful activism. He believed that social and political change could be achieved through non-violent means, such as education, dialogue, and community service. This approach helped differentiate Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan from more militant Islamist groups.

Education and Community Development The organization has focused on educational and community development initiatives. It runs schools, provides social services, and engages in various forms of community outreach to improve the lives of ordinary Moroccans. These activities help to build social cohesion and address socio-economic inequalities.

Political Advocacy While Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan has been critical of the Moroccan monarchy and the political system, it has largely pursued its goals through peaceful political advocacy. The organization has called for democratic reforms, greater transparency, and respect for human rights in Morocco.

Publications and Writings Yassine was a prolific writer, authoring numerous books and articles on Islam, spirituality, and social justice. His works have been influential in shaping the organization's ideology and guiding its activities. His writings emphasize the importance of inner spiritual transformation as a basis for societal change.

Building a Broad Coalition Under Yassine's leadership, Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan sought to build a broad coalition of supporters from various segments of Moroccan society, including students, professionals, and the urban poor. This inclusive approach helped to broaden the organization's appeal and strengthen its social base.

Advocacy for Human Rights The organization has also been involved in human rights advocacy, highlighting issues such as political repression, corruption, and social injustice. By promoting human rights and social justice, Yassine aimed to create a more just and equitable society.

Overall, Abdassalam Yassine's efforts to establish a moderate and peaceful organization were rooted in his commitment to non-violence, spiritual development, and social justice. Through Al-Adl wa al-Ihsan, he sought to promote a vision of Islam that was both ethically grounded and socially relevant.

Books

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originally written in Arabic

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  1. Islam between the Appeal and the State, 1972
  2. Tomorrow Islam!, 1973
  3. Islam—or the Flood (An Open Letter to the Late King of Morocco), 1974
  4. The Royal Century Missive in the Balance of Islam, 1980
  5. The Prophetic Method [al-Minhāj an-Nabawi], 1982
  6. Islam and the Challenge of Marxism-Leninism, 1987
  7. Exemplary Men (1st in the series Al-Ihssān), 1988
  8. Introductions to the Method, 1989
  9. Islam and the Challenge of Secular Nationalism, 1989
  10. Reflections on Islamic Jurisprudence and History, 1990
  11. Spiritual Gems (A Collection of Poems), 1992
  12. The Muslim Mind on Trial: Divine Revelation versus Secular Rationalism, 1994
  13. A Dialogue with Honorable Democrats, 1994
  14. Letter of Reminder (1st in the series Rasa’il Al-Ihsān), 1995
  15. On the Economy, 1995
  16. Letter to Students and to all Muslims (2nd in the series Rassa’il Al-Ihssân), 1995
  17. Guide to Believing Women, 1996
  18. Shūra and Democracy, 1996
  19. Poetic Exhortations (3rd in the series Rasa’il Al- Ihsān), 1996
  20. Dialogue of the Past and the Future, 1997
  21. Dialogue with an Amazighit Friend, 1997
  22. Spirituality [Al-Ihssān] V1, 1998
  23. How Shall We Renew Our Iman? How Do We Advise For God’s Sake And His Messenger? (1st in the series “The Prophetic Method Discourses”), 1998
  24. Al-Fitra And The Remedial Treatment Of Prophecy For Hearts (2nd in the series “The Prophetic Method Discourses”), 1998
  25. Spirituality [Al-Ihssān] V2, 1999
  26. Hearts Sincerity (3rd in the series “The Prophetic Method Discourses”), 1999
  27. Braving the Obstacles (4th in the series “The Prophetic Method Discourses”), 1999
  28. Justice: Islamists and Governance, 2000
  29. Bunches of Grapes (A Collection of Poems), 2000
  30. The Scholarly Treatise, 2001
  31. Caliphate and Monarchy, 2001
  32. Exemplary Men of Uprising and Reform, 2001
  33. Day and Night Schedule of the Believer, 2002
  34. The Price (5th in the series “The Prophetic Method Discourses”), 2004
  35. God’s Custom, 2005
  36. Introductions to the future of Islam, 2005
  37. Day and Night Schedule of the Believer (a book in Arabic and English), 2007
  38. Leadership of the Umma, 2009
  39. Qur’ān and Prophecy, 2010
  40. The Muslim Community and its Bond, 2012

originally written in French

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  1. The Islamic Method of Revolution, 1980
  2. Toward a Dialog with our Westernized Elite, 1980
  3. Winning the Modern World for Islam, 1998
  4. Memorandum: To Him Who Is Concerned (an open letter in French to the country's new king, Mohamed VI), 1999

translated into English

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References

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  1. ^ a b Associated Press (December 13, 2012). "Abdessalam Yassine, leader of Morocco's largest opposition movement, dies at 84, says group". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 December 2012.[dead link]
  2. ^ a b c Masbah, Mohammed (January 10, 2013). "In Yassine's Footsteps". Sada. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  3. ^ Aïssa Kadri, Parcours d'intellectuels maghrébins, Karthala Editions, 1999, p. 129-164
  4. ^ Henry Clement M., Globalization and the Politics of Development in the Middle East , p. 225
  5. ^ Malika Zeghal, Islamism in Morocco: religion, authoritarianism, and electoral politics, p. 99
  6. ^ "Décès: Enterrement de Khadija Al Malki après l'engagement de ses proches à respecter les préceptes de la charia en matière d'inhumation". Le Martin (in French). 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015.
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