Naim Qassem

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Naim Qassem
File:Naim Kassim.jpg
Naim Qassem in Beirut, 2009
Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah
Assumed office
1992
Personal details
Born 1953 (age 70–71)
Kfar Fila, Lebanon
Nationality Lebanese
Political party Hezbollah
Religion Twelver Shia Islam

Naim Qassem (born 1953) is a Shia Lebanese cleric and politician, who is the second in command of Hezbollah with the title of deputy secretary-general.[1]

Early life and education

Qassem was born into a Shiite family in Kfar Fila in 1953.[2][3] He studied theology and his teacher was Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah.[2] He also received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Lebanese University.[2]

Career

Qassem is one of the founders of Lebanese Muslim students union that was established in the 1970s.[3] He joined the Amal movement when it was headed by Imam Musa Sadr.[2] Qassem was the head of the Islamic religious education association from 1974 to 1988.[3] He also served as the advisor for al Mustafa schools.[3] Then Qassem participated in foundation activities of Hezbollah and was appointed deputy secretary-general of Hezbollah in 1992.[2][4]

Works and views

In 2009, Mustafa Badr Al Din replaced Imad Mughniyah as the head of Hezbollah's military activities.[5] However, Qassem did not support it, favoring Samir Shehade.[5]

Qassem published a book, Hezbollah: The Story from Within, in 2006.[6] On 1 August 2011, Qassem attended a ceremony for the eighth edition of his book, where he made the statement that "Billions of dollars have been offered to us to rebuild the deprived south Lebanon and in return to surrender our arms and stop the work of the resistance. But we told them we're not in need [of their money] and the resistance will go on regardless of the consequences."[7]

References

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