Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah is a Lebanese Islamic reformist movement that tries to satisfy the Islamic creed of total obedience to Allah and fulfill his objectives. The movement is a non-violent one, which it shows by full cooperation with non-Islamic individuals in order to promote human rights and social justice in the country ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 153). Like all Islamic movements, it seek to influence different social, moral, economic and political factors to make them more in line with Islamic principles outlined in the Quran. A summary of the association's objectives reveals that it is a simple political organization striving to influence different factors to the Islamic way.
The Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah political vision is divided into seven main points; the political regime in Lebanon, Sharia law implementation, national co-existence, Lebanese relations, the Palestinian cause and reality and international and Arab relations. The organization accedes that the Lebanese political arena is better that most in the region, but with gaps and flaws in the Taif Accord that would make improvements in the country's politics. In this regard, the organization tries to action the not-fully-implemented accord to better the Lebanese political landscape ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 155).
The second main aim of the organization is to implement Sharia law in the country, by realizing that there are many different sects and different beliefs in freedom ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 155). The organization realizes that freedom is bestowed by God and it is upon them to call for Islamic regulations and legislation to enforce Sharia. The third aim of the movement is to foster national co-existence with other sects and religions that are in the country ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 156). With the realization that there are different religions in Lebanon, the movement tries to promote respect and recognition of every member of the society, morality, justice and cooperation for mutual benefit.
Good relations in the Lebanese area is also one of the strong points of Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah summary. The organization tries to foster good relations as indicated that their only true enemy are the Zionists and their supporters, so any other individuals, groups of religions should be in their good books ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 157). In this regard, the organization dwells on fostering relations with other sects and groups in order to promote their activism and objectives. The fifth part of the organization is its allegiance with the resistance in Palestine and the recognition of the Zionist enemy that they all face ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 158). The organization's mission recognizes a common enemy and the struggle that they go through in ensuring that they are not defeated. This confirms the organization's role in the resistance, formation of a defense strategy and protection of its religion.
The sixth element of Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah is the recognition of the Palestinian presence in the country due to destruction of their homeland, and the ever present threat from Israel and its armies ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 158). However, the presence of a large number of Palestinians in their territory possess a threat in terms of rebellion, so the organization is faced with the task of regulating Palestinian refugees. The organization also try to reduce racial discrimination of Palestinian minorities in the region.
Finally, the organization tries to foster Arab and international relations with Lebanon ("The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah" 159). The organization recognizes the importance of common interest with other Islamic states and the benefits that would come from these interactions, so it tries to foster better relations in a way modeled after the European Union.
Work Cited
"The Political Vision of the Al-Jama'a al-Islamiyah (Islamic Association) in Lebanon 2010." The Islamic Association. 2010. Print.
