Shiites were initially unrepresented in Lebanese politics. They were also largely neglected in terms of socio-economic development compared to Lebanons Christians. In the 1960s, Lebanons Shiites generally embraced their situation as immovable. With an unresponsive central government in the capital, Musa Sadr sought to change this victimized community through his own revolutionary social movement. In accordance with Shiite ideology, he argued that inequality was not predetermined. Sadr was described as a genuine intellectual. He managed to mobilize the poor with his calls for political and economic consciousness through an Islamic lens. In doing so, he reduced the power of Lebanons ineffective clan-based leadership. He also managed to persuade the Shiite business class to embolden his social movement. Among the social initiatives started by Sadr were vocational schools, charitable organizations, social institutes and orphanages. He also sought to counter Israeli raids in Shiite areas that were taking place on a large scale. In 1975, Sadr revealed the creation of a new militia known today as AMAL. Three years later, Sadr vanished on a formal trip to Libya. He was never heard of again.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:02:12 +0000
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