Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Meeting on Imam Musa Sadr held in Paris
A meeting titled "Musa Sadr, Imam of Dialog and Free Thinking" was held in UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Saturday.
In the meeting, Imam Musa Sadr's sister, Rabab Sadr, read out a message on behalf of the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Director of of Di Scriptura Institution in Brussels and Istanbul and philosopher, Leonardo Alaeddin Clerici, Michel Lelong, author and a member of Islam and Christanity Friendship Group, IRI Ambassador to Paris, Mehdi Mir Abutalebi, Director of Al-Ghazali Institute at the Paris Mosque Dr. Jaloul Sediqi , Salah Estiti, former Lebanese Ambassador to Paris and a number of researchers from other countries including Mehdi Firouzan, a researcher in the field of religions and a member of Imam Mussa Sadr Cultural and Research Institution in Tehran are among participants who delivered speeches and presented their articles.
source
In the meeting, Imam Musa Sadr's sister, Rabab Sadr, read out a message on behalf of the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Director of of Di Scriptura Institution in Brussels and Istanbul and philosopher, Leonardo Alaeddin Clerici, Michel Lelong, author and a member of Islam and Christanity Friendship Group, IRI Ambassador to Paris, Mehdi Mir Abutalebi, Director of Al-Ghazali Institute at the Paris Mosque Dr. Jaloul Sediqi , Salah Estiti, former Lebanese Ambassador to Paris and a number of researchers from other countries including Mehdi Firouzan, a researcher in the field of religions and a member of Imam Mussa Sadr Cultural and Research Institution in Tehran are among participants who delivered speeches and presented their articles.
source
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Kouchner Expresses Readiness to Help in Sadr's Disappearance Case
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has expressed his country's readiness to follow up on the disappearance case of Shiite cleric Imam Moussa Sadr, the Moussa Sadr Center for Research and Studies announced on Saturday.
The center said Kouchner's statement came during a meeting with Sadr's sister Rabab in Paris. It said the two sides discussed the latest political developments in Lebanon and Sadr's efforts to end the civil war.
Sadr, who founded the Amal movement now led by Speaker Nabih Berri, disappeared while in Libya with two companions Mohammed Yaqoub and Abbas Badreddine in 1978.
There has been no trace of the three men since.
Libya maintains that the trio left for Italy on August 31, 1978 after their stay in Tripoli and that it has no idea what happened to them afterwards.
The center said in its statement that Rabab Sadr informed Kouchner about arrest warrants issued against Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi and 17 other Libyan leaders for their direct involvement in Sadr's alleged abduction.
Kouchner, in his turn, lauded Sadr's role on unity and peace in Lebanon. He tasked one of his advisors to follow up on the case and stay in contact with Sadr's family, according to the center.
source
The center said Kouchner's statement came during a meeting with Sadr's sister Rabab in Paris. It said the two sides discussed the latest political developments in Lebanon and Sadr's efforts to end the civil war.
Sadr, who founded the Amal movement now led by Speaker Nabih Berri, disappeared while in Libya with two companions Mohammed Yaqoub and Abbas Badreddine in 1978.
There has been no trace of the three men since.
Libya maintains that the trio left for Italy on August 31, 1978 after their stay in Tripoli and that it has no idea what happened to them afterwards.
The center said in its statement that Rabab Sadr informed Kouchner about arrest warrants issued against Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi and 17 other Libyan leaders for their direct involvement in Sadr's alleged abduction.
Kouchner, in his turn, lauded Sadr's role on unity and peace in Lebanon. He tasked one of his advisors to follow up on the case and stay in contact with Sadr's family, according to the center.
source
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
ARREST LIBYAN LEADER Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi Today in New York
As the world's nations gather on September 23, 2009 in New York for the first United Nations Security Council day-long summit meeting on nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, under the chairmanship of President Barack Obama, Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi will be making his first-ever appearance at the world platform. While the United States has officially removed Libya from their list of nations which sponsor terrorism, thus allowing his appearance, there are thousands of followers of Imam Musa al-Sadr, a revered Muslim leader from Lebanon, who don't agree.
On August 31, 1978, Lebanese religious leaders Imam Musa al-Sadr and Sheikh Muhammad Yacoub, along with journalist Abbas Badreddin, were on an official state visit to Libya. On that day 31 years ago, they were last seen leaving their hotel with presidential escort for a meeting with Qaddafi. They have been missing since.
All entreaties to the Libyan government have come to no avail, despite persistent reports that the Imam and/or his companions are alive. Instead, there have been alternating threats of bodily harm and offers of financial bribes to the families of the missing and their lawyers; total denial and stonewalling from the Libyan authorities; and the deliberate planting of disinformation that the Imam left Libya and went to Italy on the night of August 31. Twice, in 1979 and in 1982, investigative judges in Italy have denounced these fabrications. Mostly the pattern of the Libyan authorities has been a continued denial of the kidnapping, despite a televised address of Qaddafi in August 2002, wherein he acknowledged that "the Imam had disappeared here, in Libya."
After more than twenty years of fruitless mediation by political leaders the world over, the families of the disappeared brought a case in Lebanon, of which the Imam and his companions are citizens. In the wake of seven years of a harsh battle in court, investigative Judge Samih al-Hage issued a thirty-page long judgment on 21 August 2008, "indicting the accused Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi... for conspiracy in kidnapping and sequestering" the Imam and his two companions. He is supported in his conclusion by Lebanon's two successive prosecutor-generals.
On the basis of that investigation, arrest warrants have been issued for Qaddafi and seventeen others involved in the disappearing of the Imam and his two companions. We hereby ask the United Nations to let justice take its full course, and to have Qaddafi arrested.
Nothing demeans the UN Charter as much as those who, like Qaddafi, are guilty of the most egregious international crimes and yet retain the privilege of using the UN as a platform to speak to the world. This pattern of impunity has prevailed over forty years of Qaddafi's dictatorship. The 1998 Lockerbie tragedy is well known, with 270 lives lost. But the main victims over the past four decades have been the people of Libya. A few weeks ago, Fathi Jahmi, a human rights advocate and prisoner of conscience, was released from
Libya's prisons to die abroad, so as to further avoid the anger of human rights organizations. Mansur Kekhia, a household name in Libya, was kidnapped in Cairo in 1993, and has been missing since. In 2002, Amnesty International released a report on the freeing from Libyan prisons of 'tens of prisoners, including prisoners of conscience and possible prisoners of conscience.
Among the prisoners of conscience were Muhammad 'Ali al-Akrami, al-'Ajili Muhammad 'Abd al- Rahman al-Azhari, Muhammad 'Ali al-Qajiji, Salih 'Omar al- Qasbi and
Muhammad al-Sadiq al-Tarhuni, who have been imprisoned for almost three decades, following their arrest in 1973." How many other thousands of Libyans have disappeared, been killed, or continue to rot in prison whose names we do not know?
For three decades, the people of Imam Musa al-Sadr across the world have been deprived of his leadership as the bridger of civilizations and religions that he was known for. Torture persists for his family and the families of his two companions, and they will accept nothing but the immediate safe release of their loved ones and the accountability and criminal responsibility of Qaddafi for their disappearance.
We associate ourselves with their fight for truth and justice, and expect the United Nations, under its charter for peace, to work with the authorities in New York and serve the arrest warrant to Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi upon his appearance at the Security Council.
Qaddafi indicted in Imam Musa Sadr Case
Investigative Judge, Lebanese Judicial Council, 21 August 2008 [Conclusions of the Investigative Judge with the Judicial Council, Samih al-Hajj, indicting Qaddafi and six other Libyans for abducting Imam Musa Sadr and his two companions Muhammad Ya'qub and 'Abbas Badreddin.]
We decide... as follows:
1. To indict the defendant Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi in accordance with Art. 569/218 of the Lebanese Criminal Code for conspiracy to abduct, and withhold the liberty of, each of Imam Sayyed Musa al-Sadr and Shaykh Muhammad Ya'qub and journalist 'Abbas Badreddin, for the crime perpetrated on 31/8/1978.
2. To indict each of the defendants: Al-Marghini Mas'ud al-Tumi, Ahmad Muhammad al-Hattab, al-Hadi Ibrahim Mustafa al-Saawi, 'Abd al-Rahman Muhammad Ghawila, Muhammad Khalifa ibn Sahnun, and 'Isa Mas'ud Àbdallah al-Mansuri, whose identities have been fully detailed above, in accordance with Article 569/213 of the Lebanese Criminal Code, for participating in the abduction of Imam Sadr and his two companions.
3. To indict the defendants: Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi , Al-Marghini Mas'ud al-Tumi, Ahmad Muhammad al-Hattab, al-Hadi Ibrahim Mustafa al-Saawi, 'Abd al-Rahman Muhammad Ghaqila, Muhammad Khalifa ibn Sahnun, and 'Isa Mas'ud Àbdallah al-Mansuri, in accordance with Article 2 of Law 11/1/1958.
4. To charge the defendants mentioned in paragraph 3 for the felonies committed under Articles 317, 463, 463/454/213 and 392/213 of the Criminal Code.
5. To issue an arrest warrant against all the above mentioned defendants and bring them handcuffed to the jail attached to the Judicial Council in Beirut.
6. To join the felonies with the crimes for their complementarity.
7. To issue a continued investigation warrant for the full identification of the defendants: 'Abd al- Salam Jallud, Mahmud Muhammad ibn Kura, Ahmad al-Atrash, 'Isa al-Ba'ba', 'Ashur al-Firtas, 'Ali 'Abdal-Salam al-Turaiki, Ahmad Shehata, Ahmad Mas'ud Saleh Tarhun, Ibrahim Khalifa 'Umar, Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Ruhaibi, and Muhammad Uld Dada.
8. To make indictees and charged bear all costs and fees.
9. To return the file to the Attorney General with the Judicial Council for deposition with the relevant authority.
source
Monday, November 2, 2009
Who is Imam Musa Sadr?
Seyyed Musa Sadr, born in 1929 in Qom –Iran to the prominent Labanese Sadr family of theologians. He was an Iranian –born Lbanese philosopher and a prominent Shia religious leader who spent many years of his life in Lebanon as a religious and political leader.
Education
His fsther was Ayatollah Sadr ad –Din Sadr. Imam Musa Sadr attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to Tehran. In 1956 he got a degrre in Islamic jurisprudence and political sciences from Tehran University. Then he moved back to Qom and studied theology and Islamic philosophy under Allameh Tabatabaie (Great contemporary philosopher).
Eventually he travelled to Najaf to continue his eduation.
Activities
In 1960 he accepted an invitation to become the leading Shiite figure in Tyre (town in southern Lebanon).
In 1969, Imam Musa was appointed as the first head of Supreme Islamic Shia Counsil.
In 1974 he founded the "Movement of the disinherited" to press for better economics and social conditions for the Shia.
He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon.
Disappearance
In August 1978 Imam Musa Sadr and the two companions departed for Lybia to meet with government officials. They were never heard from again. Lybia has consistently denied responsibility. Some have reported that Imam Musa Sadr remains secretly in jail in Lybia.
source
Education
His fsther was Ayatollah Sadr ad –Din Sadr. Imam Musa Sadr attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to Tehran. In 1956 he got a degrre in Islamic jurisprudence and political sciences from Tehran University. Then he moved back to Qom and studied theology and Islamic philosophy under Allameh Tabatabaie (Great contemporary philosopher).
Eventually he travelled to Najaf to continue his eduation.
Activities
In 1960 he accepted an invitation to become the leading Shiite figure in Tyre (town in southern Lebanon).
In 1969, Imam Musa was appointed as the first head of Supreme Islamic Shia Counsil.
In 1974 he founded the "Movement of the disinherited" to press for better economics and social conditions for the Shia.
He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon.
Disappearance
In August 1978 Imam Musa Sadr and the two companions departed for Lybia to meet with government officials. They were never heard from again. Lybia has consistently denied responsibility. Some have reported that Imam Musa Sadr remains secretly in jail in Lybia.
source
Thursday, October 29, 2009
31st anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa al-Sadr
Rabab Sadr, the sister of Imam Musa al-Sadr, attends a rally by members of the Amal movement to mark the 31st anniversary of the disappearance of al-Sadr, who was the founder and leader of the Amal movement in Lebanon, in Beirut's suburbs August 31, 2009. REUTERS/ Sharif Karim (LEBANON CONFLICT POLITICS)
Shi'ite House Speaker Nabih Berri (R) and Shi'ite Mufti Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan attend a rally organised by members of the Amal movement to mark the 31st anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr, who was the founder and leader of the Amal movement in Lebanon, in Beirut's suburbs August 31, 2009. REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON POLITICS CONFLICT)
Relatives of suspects accused of plotting attacks on behalf of Lebanon's Hezbollah group leave a court in New Cairo, August 23, 2009. Egypt began the trial on Sunday of 26 men suspected of links with Lebanon's Hezbollah and who face charges that include planning attacks inside Egypt. The charges against the 26, read out in the emergency state security court, included giving information to a foreign organisation, planning attacks inside Egypt on tourist sites and the Suez Canal and possession of explosive material. REUTERS/Stringer (EGYPT CRIME LAW POLITICS CONFLICT)
source
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Monday, October 12, 2009
Gaddafi is an abductor
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years ... Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Amal movement's members in front of the UN
Qaddafi FREE Imam Sayed Musa Sadr
Amal movement's members in front of the United Nations
(when Gaddafi speeched at the UN)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Imam Moussa Sadr, The Man Who Disappeared For Lebanon's Sake 31 Years Ago
31 hard years have passed and people - whether contemporary of him or not - are still hoping to see him again. He’s the Imam whose Muslims and Christians alike miss; the Imam whose whereabouts remain a secret within a secret inside Libya where Imam Moussa Sadr had traveled to seek support against the 1978 Israeli war on Lebanon.
The 31st of August of every year, marks the date of the 1978 kidnapping of Imam Sayyed Mussa Sadr in Libya. The Imam is considered one of the most prominent Muslim Shiite figures who sought to apply the message of religion in real life. He adopted the causes of the oppressed and the poor. Imam Sadr was also among the religious figures who contributed in launching the Islamic-Christian dialogue in Lebanon, at a time civil war was ruining this country. The Imam did not have any ties with Libya or its rulers, however he decided to visit Tripoli in the wake of the 1978 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, as part of a tour of Arab countries to rally support and prepare for an Arab summit over the war.
Then Algerian President Hawari Boumedian, suggested that the Imam visits Libya for that purpose as Moammar Ghaddafi was a key player in the course of the political and military situation in Lebanon. Imam Sadr left Beirut's international airport for an official visit to meet Ghaddafi in Tripoli on the 25th of August 1978, accompanied by Sheikh Mohamad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine.
According to reports, the trio stayed in the "Shate' Hotel" in Tripoli, however the Imam's visit was not mentioned in Libyan media and every contact with him was cut. Witnesses said that they saw the Imam and his two companions leave the hotel in an official convoy on the 31st of August, the date set for their meeting with Ghaddafi. The Libyan president however denied the meeting ever took place, even though reports say that he confirmed the date was set on the 31st of August at 1:00pm. The same reports said that the meeting did take place and deep differences between Ghaddafi and the Imam surfaced pertaining to the crisis in Lebanon. They added that Kings and rulers intervened in vain to sort out these differences.
Sayyed Sadr and his companions disappeared and they were never heard of until this very day. Libyan authorities claimed that Sadr, Yaacoub and Badreddine had left Tripoli for Rome, as Ghaddafi refrained from addressing the issue with then Lebanese president Elias Sarkis. An investigative panel was formed to carry out a fact finding mission in Tripoli and Rome, but Libya refused to receive the panel. Investigators concluded that Imam Sadr and his companions had never left Libya and did not check into Italy. Rome conducted two rounds of investigations into the case and authorities concluded that Libyan claims were baseless.
For their part, Lebanese authorities considered the disappearance of the Imam and his companions as a crime against the state's internal security and took legal action. On the 30th of August 2001, Amnesty International issued its first report on the disappearance of Imam Sadr and his companions and stressed allegations that they had left Tripoli contradict the outcome of the Italian investigation.
Imam Sadr was born in the holy city Qom, Iran in 1928 to the prominent Sadr family of theologians. His father was Ayatollah Sadr al-Din al-Sadr, while Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr was his cousin. He attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to the Iranian capital Tehran where he received in 1956 a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and Political Sciences from Tehran University. He then moved back to Qom to study theology. Eventually he left Qom for Najaf to study theology under Ayatollah Sayed Muhsin al-Hakim and Ayatollah Sayyed Abul Qasim Khou'i.
The Sadr family is originally a Lebanese family, and in 1960 Musa al-Sadr accepted an invitation to become the leading Muslim Shi'ite figure in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre. He was a vocal opponent of Israel. In 1969 he was appointed as the first head of the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, an entity meant to give the dacades-long oppressed Shi'ites more say in government. In 1974 he founded the Movement of the Deprived to press for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'ites. He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon, many of which are still operating today.
Sayyed Sadr was also the founder of the first armed resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli occupation, under the name Lebanese Resistance Brigades Movement, Arabic for Amal Movement.
source
The 31st of August of every year, marks the date of the 1978 kidnapping of Imam Sayyed Mussa Sadr in Libya. The Imam is considered one of the most prominent Muslim Shiite figures who sought to apply the message of religion in real life. He adopted the causes of the oppressed and the poor. Imam Sadr was also among the religious figures who contributed in launching the Islamic-Christian dialogue in Lebanon, at a time civil war was ruining this country. The Imam did not have any ties with Libya or its rulers, however he decided to visit Tripoli in the wake of the 1978 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, as part of a tour of Arab countries to rally support and prepare for an Arab summit over the war.
Then Algerian President Hawari Boumedian, suggested that the Imam visits Libya for that purpose as Moammar Ghaddafi was a key player in the course of the political and military situation in Lebanon. Imam Sadr left Beirut's international airport for an official visit to meet Ghaddafi in Tripoli on the 25th of August 1978, accompanied by Sheikh Mohamad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine.
According to reports, the trio stayed in the "Shate' Hotel" in Tripoli, however the Imam's visit was not mentioned in Libyan media and every contact with him was cut. Witnesses said that they saw the Imam and his two companions leave the hotel in an official convoy on the 31st of August, the date set for their meeting with Ghaddafi. The Libyan president however denied the meeting ever took place, even though reports say that he confirmed the date was set on the 31st of August at 1:00pm. The same reports said that the meeting did take place and deep differences between Ghaddafi and the Imam surfaced pertaining to the crisis in Lebanon. They added that Kings and rulers intervened in vain to sort out these differences.
Sayyed Sadr and his companions disappeared and they were never heard of until this very day. Libyan authorities claimed that Sadr, Yaacoub and Badreddine had left Tripoli for Rome, as Ghaddafi refrained from addressing the issue with then Lebanese president Elias Sarkis. An investigative panel was formed to carry out a fact finding mission in Tripoli and Rome, but Libya refused to receive the panel. Investigators concluded that Imam Sadr and his companions had never left Libya and did not check into Italy. Rome conducted two rounds of investigations into the case and authorities concluded that Libyan claims were baseless.
For their part, Lebanese authorities considered the disappearance of the Imam and his companions as a crime against the state's internal security and took legal action. On the 30th of August 2001, Amnesty International issued its first report on the disappearance of Imam Sadr and his companions and stressed allegations that they had left Tripoli contradict the outcome of the Italian investigation.
Imam Sadr was born in the holy city Qom, Iran in 1928 to the prominent Sadr family of theologians. His father was Ayatollah Sadr al-Din al-Sadr, while Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr was his cousin. He attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to the Iranian capital Tehran where he received in 1956 a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and Political Sciences from Tehran University. He then moved back to Qom to study theology. Eventually he left Qom for Najaf to study theology under Ayatollah Sayed Muhsin al-Hakim and Ayatollah Sayyed Abul Qasim Khou'i.
The Sadr family is originally a Lebanese family, and in 1960 Musa al-Sadr accepted an invitation to become the leading Muslim Shi'ite figure in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre. He was a vocal opponent of Israel. In 1969 he was appointed as the first head of the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, an entity meant to give the dacades-long oppressed Shi'ites more say in government. In 1974 he founded the Movement of the Deprived to press for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'ites. He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon, many of which are still operating today.
Sayyed Sadr was also the founder of the first armed resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli occupation, under the name Lebanese Resistance Brigades Movement, Arabic for Amal Movement.
source
Monday, August 31, 2009
Imam Musa Sadr is alive
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years ... Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years by Gaddafi
![[imam+musa+sadr-gaddafi.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sEDcwA3ZGzum3_L_I8ZtL1VDIyQzzjY0oAUPXV1CJ-PRY-FDqMnrbB0T507k5DtO4Jf-uQPO4WjCXqKCD-ZCz2xerQMiTaFSoV3GVsjqJgfDqMWMH6SuUhUfrQCo-NZVrZHV7HbJyy9f/s1600/imam+musa+sadr-gaddafi.jpg)
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years ... Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi
Friday, August 14, 2009
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years ... Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years
Imam Musa Sadr has been imprisoned in Libya's prison for 31 years
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi-
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lebanon indicts Gaddafi in missing Shiite imam case
Lebanon has indicted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and is seeking his arrest for an alleged role in the disappearance of a prominent Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim leader 30 years ago, according to judicial documents.Lebanese Shi'ites say Libya kidnapped Imam Musa al-Sadr and two of his aides during a visit to the North African country in 1978. Libya says Sadr left the country safely. He is widely believed to have been killed shortly after he was seized."We decided ... to accuse Muammar Gaddafi... of inciting the kidnapping and withholding the freedom of... Imam Musa al-Sadr," said the court documents, approved by Investigative Judge Samih al-Haj late on Tuesday.The charges, brought under Lebanon's terrorism law, carry the death penalty.An initial case against Libya was closed in 1986 for lack of evidence. But Lebanon's public prosecutor said in August 2004 he would reopen the investigation after considering new evidence.Sadr was the founder of the Shi'ite Amal Movement, from which the powerful Lebanese guerrilla movement Hezbollah later emerged.He originally took up the plight of Lebanon's impoverished Shi'ite community before the 1975-90 Lebanese civil war. While Lebanon was dissolving into chaos, Sadr preached religious tolerance as he sought to organise the Shi'ites.Sadr was born in Iran in 1928 and migrated to Lebanon. He remains a revered figure by all Lebanese Shi'ites.
France 24
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Evolution of Terror III: Cleric’s disappearance sensitive issue for Shiites
TYRE, Lebanon — Rabab Sadr Charafeddine recalls the hot August day 27 years ago when her brother boarded a plane for Libya.
Musa Sadr, a revered cleric in southern Lebanon credited with reviving the historically oppressed Shiite Muslim population in his country, was leaving to meet President Moammar Gadhafi to discuss funding for the civil war that had engulfed Beirut.
The imam prepared a carry-on bag full of the books he loved to read, climbed into a navy Oldsmobile, and dashed off to the airport even as lack of sleep and the Ramadan fast slowed him down.
His sister hasn't seen him since.
It is widely believed among Lebanese that Gadhafi assassinated Sadr after a feud over money, and sent an imposter to Rome with the imam's suitcase and passport. The Libyan government has not shed any light on his disappearance, saying only Sadr left Libya for Italy — alive. An investigation has since exposed that claim.
The family has not given up, insisting abduction charges be brought against the Libyan president.
At the family's urging, the attorney general in Lebanon recently indicted Gadhafi and 17 others allegedly involved in the disappearance. A hearing has been set for March 16, although no one expects Gadhafi or his aides to show up.
The case is entangled in issues of foreign relations and economic repercussions, involving everything from arms development to the export of apples, all while revealing the tenacity of a Shiite population that lost a beloved leader.
If nothing else, the case holds great symbolic significance, representing a journey out of compliance and self-contempt for a Shiite population that once had little political voice in Lebanon. It is a path similar to what Iraqi Shiites could take after the country's national elections on Sunday.
In the 1980s, tensions between Libya and the West increased because of Gadhafi's foreign policies and terrorism, and his country's coziness with the Soviet Union.
The United Nations imposed sanctions on Libya after it was implicated in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people. The country faded into political and economic isolation.
In 2003, Libya accepted responsibility for the bombing, and the sanctions were lifted.
A few months later, Libya announced plans to dispose of its weapons of mass destruction, and began cooperating with the United States and the international community.
Fouad Ajami, who wrote The Vanished Imam on Sadr's life and the Shi'a of Lebanon, believes the recent investigation became a way for Lebanon to remind the world of crimes committed by Libya as it tried to plea bargain its way out of trouble.
"For the Shi'a, it's about being victimized by the Arabs. And it's about the feeling that here is this prominent leader who is liquidated to the silence of the rest of the Arab world," said Ajami, a Shiite Lebanese whose book describes Sadr as a savvy reformer whose critics panned him as an Iranian intelligence agent.
"It is about holding the system of power in the Arab world responsible for a great crime."
The Shi'a have come of age, and reactivating the case is a way of asserting a newfound political power, he said.
Some here say Libya's new role on the international stage will make it even more difficult to solve Sadr's case as any hope of outside pressure on Gadhafi to reveal information dissolves.
They show disdain for U.S. leaders who they say are only concerned with the Lockerbie victims, not with those whose fate is still unknown.
"Had Musa Sadr been a Westerner, we would have known what happened to him," said Farid el Khazen, political science chairman at the American University of Beirut.
Sadr's vision and philosophies have materialized into social institutions — vocational schools, health clinics and literacy centers around the country. His work spawned a new terrain in Lebanon, leading to creation of the armed political party Amal, which later yielded a splinter group called Hezbollah, a fighting militia.
Sadr, and later, the Shiite fundamentalist group Hezbollah, brought money, weapons and social services to a people with a history of political submission.
The country is now a stark contrast to its condition in the late 1970s, when there was no functioning government to effectively investigate such a crime, let alone one with prominent Shiite leaders.
Sadr helped conduct a national study surveying the deprivation of the South, populated by Shiites. The study showed roads had been neglected, no running water and little interest in building schools and hospitals because of the area's proximity to fighting near the Israeli border.
He lobbied the government to act and collected his own funds from nongovernmental organizations and private donors. He helped eliminate hunger by arming beggars with vocational job skills.
Currently, 1,150 students study at the Imam Sadr Foundation in Tyre, one of many institutes Sadr founded. Most of the students attend for free. The foundation's medical clinics in the South receive about 42,000 visits a year.
The 49-year old cleric stressed that the woman's role in society is equal to the man's, even taking on an unusual load of child-rearing responsibilities for his time. He was carefree at times, but also was known as an obsessively clean dresser who would eat chicken off the bone with a knife and fork.
As a child, Sadr would often travel with his father to a village in Iran, the family's native country, to help administer medicine for eye allergies and other ailments at a makeshift clinic.
As a spiritual leader in Lebanon, he worked to create a dialogue between warring Christians and Muslims, stressing the acceptance of other religions.
His family recalls the story of how a Christian ice cream vendor once came to Sadr complaining of a damaging rumor. People were saying Christians were dirty and Muslims should not buy his ice cream, the vendor said.
After Friday prayer services, Sadr plopped down in front of the vendor's shop and began eating ice cream.
Up until his death, the vendor is said to have cried at the mention of the imam's name.
Every year, public gatherings are organized in Lebanon to protest Libya, whose population is Sunni Muslim, and call for the return of Sadr. Periodically, political leaders will issue statements against Gadhafi, who responds by refusing to buy apples from Lebanon, one of the country's biggest export crops, Khazen said.
And the imam's legacy is sometimes invoked by politicking office holders trying to endear themselves to a Shiite population.
Some, including Sadr's sister, have not given up hope that the imam is still alive and imprisoned.
It was shortly after his departure that day in 1978 that Charafeddine began to worry.
A tall bearded man, with green eyes somewhere between the color of honey and olive, Sadr told his sister he wouldn't be long and left for the airport.
But her brother, who traveled frequently around the Middle East, never called home to say he had arrived at his destination as he had done unfailingly in the past.
"You don't want to believe the worst," said Charafeddine, who had helped pack her brother's suitcase that day.
A journalist and a sheik who accompanied Sadr also disappeared.
Charafeddine says she can't imagine Sadr is anything but alive and well. Any other news would force her into a difficult confrontation.
"It might prove to be like judgment day for me and the rest of the country," she said.
In Tyre, not far from the Imam Sadr Foundation that Charafeddine now runs, Hassan Bazzoun, 43, relaxes at an outdoor table at the Al-Boussi cafe.
Bazzoun and his companions say Sadr helped transform the lives of Shiites in the South. They point to his commitment to education, culture and a peaceful coexistence with Christians.
"The South and the Shi'a were one thing, and after Musa Sadr came, they became something else," he said, stroking the prayer beads in his hand.
"It was like going from the abyss to the light."
In the Shiite doctrine, there are 12 imams, or successors to the Prophet, the last of whom disappeared in the late 870s.
To this day, Shiites await his return, a time when they believe justice will be brought to earth.
If they one day were to find out that Sadr is indeed dead, they would be ready, Bazzoun said.
In the meantime, they are prepared to do something they do well.
"The Shi'as have a history of waiting," he said.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Imam Musa Sadr Is Alive
Summary: Robabeh Sadr, Imam Musa Sadr's sister, considers the day of his disappearance to be in Tripoli on Aug 31, 1978. His activities including prevention of division of South Lebanon into four parts, the emigration of Palestinians to South Lebanon displeased many people.
Text: The employees of Imam Sadr's charitable and educational organization in South Lebanon call their director by her first name: Seyedeh Robabeh. Seyedeh Robabeh takes care of a large number of orphan children in South Lebanon in an institute called after the name of her brother. She told me: "Many of these children have lost their fathers and mothers in the war against Israel." Then she continues smilingly: "I feel happy at the side of these children."
Robabeh Sadr is the sister of Imam Musa Sadr who disappeared 31 years ago. Musa Sadr's name is so much linked with Lebanon that many people have forgotten that they were born in Iran and their ancestors were Iranians. Seyed Musa Sadr, who is called by the Shias of Lebanon Imam Musa Sadr, left his native land Iran and went to Lebanon at the recommendation of Ayatollah Boroujerdi and following the will of Ayatollah Seyed Abdul Hussein Sharafeddin and as the latter's successor and became the powerful leader of the Shias of this country.
I held an interview with Robabeh Sadr in her office in Imam Musa Sadr's institute in South Lebanon. The room was decorated by some white flowers in a vase placed on the table and her brother's picture hanging on the wall.
Q: When meeting you and talking with you, one is unconsciously reminded of your brother Imam Musa Sadr. So I prefer to ask some questions about him. Many different and at times conflicting versions have been heard about your brother's disappearance. That is why I would like to hear your own comments.
A: You are certainly aware that the rising agony of the people of Lebanon and intensification of the Zionists' aggression and occupation of the south of the country barred exercise of sovereignty of the government of Lebanon. That was because Israel refused to implement resolution 425 and withdraw from South Lebanon. Imam Musa Sadr felt it to be his duty to inform leaders of Arab countries about the crisis of Lebanon and the extent of the dangers there. The leaders would have direct effect on investigation of the matters. For this purpose he made trips to Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Algeria and called upon them to hold summit conference. For example he held talks with Houari Boumediene the president of Algeria. At the end of this candid talks lasting for four hours Boumediene said: "I am very elated to have seen you, because we had heard incorrect news about the war in South Lebanon and we were not aware of the facts, but now after talking with you everything is clear to me." Boumedien had also said: "I ask you to make a trip to Libya, because my brother Ghaddafi has incorrect information."
In reply to this request, Sadr said that he would make a trip to Libya soon at the invitation of the Libyan government. On 28 July 1978 he received the charge d'affaires of Libya in his office, who invited Sadr to attend the people's congress and hold talks with Col. Ghaddafi in Libya, and asked the meeting to take place on Aug. 19 or 21. Imam Musa Sadr accepted the invitation but hesitated about the timing, and about a month later he informed the charge d'affaires of Libya that he wished to make a trip on 25 August 1978, and had to leave Libya by 1 Sept. 1978 to take care of his sick wife who was under treatment in France. On Friday 25 Aug. 1978 he, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammad Yaghoub and Ostad Abbas Badreddin (director of the Lebanese news agency) went to Libya and stayed at Alshati Hotel in Tripoli as the official guest of the Libyan government. Some people had seen them till the 5th day but since then nobody knows anything about them. On the fifth day a car came to take them to see Ghaddafi and after their departure nothing has been heard about them.
Q: Did Mr. Sadr get in touch with anybody after his arrival in Libya or a few days after that? Did you or any members of your family receive any telephone calls or news from him?
A: No, there was no contact. Since Imam Sadr's arrival in Libya and the succeeding days nobody received any phone calls or letters from him, which was unlike his previous trips. Nothing was heard of his companions either. Ostad Badreddin who wanted to cover the news accompanied him.
Q: What about the mass media? Did they publish any news about Imam Musa Sadr's presence in Libya?
A: The Libyan mass media did not refer to the presence of the government's official guest, i.e. Imam Sadr, and did not publish anything about his programs.
Q: When nothing was heard about Imam Musa Sadr and his companions in Libya, what actions were taken by the Lebanese government to follow up the case?
A: When no contact was established, the Supreme Shia Council of Lebanon asked some questions from the Libyan charge d'affaires about Sadr' situation but he evaded to answer the questions. Four days later the Council informed Dr. Salim ul Hoss about the matter and he summoned the Libyan charge d'affaires immediately and demanded formal answer. The following day he replied: "Imam Sadr and his companions left Libya on Aug. 31, 1978 by the Italian Airlines for Rome so the subject did not concern them..." Following this allegation the government of Lebanon dispatched a judicial mission to Italy and the mission submitted a petition to the courts of Italy, and the Italian government replied after a few months that Imam Musa Sadr and his companion had never entered Italy.
Q: I have heard that the Libyan embassy in Lebanon sent a letter to the Supreme Shia Council on the same day in which it was stipulated that Italian security officials had confirmed the presence of Imam Musa Sadr and Sheikh Mohammad Yaghoub at the Holiday Inn in Rome and their suitcases had been delivered to the Italian prosecutor general's office. What you say does not conform to what has been said in the letter. What proof did Italy produce to prove his case?
A: What was said in the letter was unfounded. The information contained in the letter was inconsistent with correct findings of the Italian research system. The Italian judicial apparatus questioned the police on duty, customs at the airport and the crew of flight no 881 of the Italian Airlines that had left Tripoli on Aug. 31 for Rome. They even interrogated first class passengers. Passengers and crew said categorically that Imam Musa Sadr and his companions were not among the passengers.
Q: What about the Holiday Inn? The Libyan government claimed that Imam Musa Sadr and companions reserved rooms in the hotel for ten days.
A: After several months of enquiries by the Italian government it turned out that two persons with suitcases of Imam Sadr and Badreddin had left Libya to Italy and rooms at Holiday Inn had been reserved in their names. One of them, who wore Mr. Sadr's turban and cloak, was sitting in the lobby of the hotel in such a way that his back was turned toward the reservation desk of the hotel so that nobody could see his face. After ten minutes they climbed the stairs, changed their suits, left their passports in their rooms and fled from the hotel.
Q: You want to say that those who made the reservation at the Holiday Inn were not Imam Musa Sadr and his companions?
A: Yes. The manager of the hotel confirmed that the two persons who entered the hotel at 10 a.m. on Sept. 1, 1978 and who introduced themselves as Musa Sadr and Mohammad Shahadeh were not in fact Mr. Sadr and his companion because their pictures were not similar at all to those who had come to the hotel?
Q: Am I to infer from your remarks that you believe that your brother disappeared in Libya? Why should have Libya embarked on such an act? Was your brother at loggerheads with Libya? In principle I would like to know what good would come to Libya by kidnapping your brother?
A: Ghaddafi imitated Abdul Naser for years and wanted to be the leader of the Arabs but nobody would take notice of him. Then he tried to be the leader of Africa, and that was why he gave money to poor countries of Africa in order to get them around himself. In my opinion whatever he has done so far is unnatural. One day he gets involved with America, another day he comes to terms with it.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! You did not answer my question. I do not understand what was the motive for kidnapping Sadr?
A: All those who are familiar with the situation believe that Ghaddafi does not have a great mind. Imam Musa Sadr disappeared at a time when the Islamic Revolution of Iran was imminent. He had an intimate connection with Imam Khomeini and the revolution of Iran. Imam Musa Sadr was instrumental in organizing necessary training courses for brothers who came from Iran. At that time a number of Palestinians intended to settle in South Lebanon and make it their homeland, but Imam Musa Sadr was quite opposed to the idea. At the same time Christians wanted to divide Lebanon into four parts, which Sadr, through meetings with Arab leaders, prevented from happening. Therefore he caused displeasure of many individuals.
Q: I can infer from your remarks that in the episode of disappearance of Musa Sadr you consider Libya to be an agent who implemented the orders of others. Will you answer my question more clearly please?
A: I cannot mention anyone's name, I can only say those who did not want any good to be done, those who did not approve of Imam Musa Sadr's move to bring about unity among the warring factions in Lebanon, the same people who...
Q: Mrs. Sadr! You do not know their names or you do not want to reveal them?
A: Frankness might create other problems that I am trying to avoid.
Q: So you know but you rather not disclose.
A: Perhaps...
Q: Perhaps or really?
A: Yes you are right.
Q: Don't you really want to talk more frankly who were instrumental in disappearance of your brother? I mean those who, as you said, issued the orders?
A: I can say those who were the main factors of the civil war in Lebanon and sold their arms and weapons; those who would not dare do many things in their countries and brought their fights to Lebanon... Imam Musa Sadr was a great impediment for them.
Q: Were any direct negotiations carried out with Ghaddafi about disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr?
A: On Sept. 12, Ostad Elyas Sarkis, the president of Lebanon got in touch with Ghaddafi by telephone to ask him some questions and to inform him that there was no information about his guests. This telephone contact was not fruitful and the person who answered the phone said repeatedly that ghaddafi could not be reached through that number, and advised him to use another number. Use of the other phone number did not produce any result either. But the Prime Minister of Lebanon succeeded in having phone a conversation with Abdul Salam Jaloud on the same day. Jaloud said: "Mr. Sadr was not pleased with this trip, so he left Libya without informing the officials and being seen off."
Q: What have Mr. Musa Sadr's family done during these years to throw light on the incident?
A: You know families cannot do very much in this kind of problems. So what could we do? The only thing we did was to keep the matter alive from legal and popular points of view. Nevertheless we did everything that was within our power, for example we are still in contact with the Italian government.
Q: Who do you think can help with elucidation of Imam Musa Sadr's situation?
A: Whoever is fond of humanity and rightfulness can help a great person such as Imam Musa Sadr.
Q: Your brother, Imam Musa Sadr, disappeared 24 years ago, which is not a short period of time. I would like to know that despite the lapse of these years you still hope that he is alive?
A: I have had a feeling during all these years that he is in good health, and perhaps there was a good cause that he was far from social activities. I have faith in the Omnipotent and if He wishes Sard to be healthy, then he will be healthy.
Q: So you feel that Sadr is still alive?
A: Yes. Inshallah (God Willing), it stands to reason too. If some people wanted to kill him, why did not they do so in Lebanon and take him to Libya? Under conditions of Lebanon at that time, it was not at all difficult to eliminate him.
Q: I think the last piece of news I heard about your brother was from several years ago when some inmates of Abusalim Prison in Tripoli said that they had seen him in prison. What do you think about the news, could it be correct?
A: Yes we heard it too. Some persons claimed that they had seen him in prison.
Q: Have you talked with those who claim to have seen your brother? Or you merely have heard it from distance?
A: Usually much news comes to us about him every day. In order to avoid unfounded news I have refrained from meeting such individuals so far.
Q: So you are contented with merely hearing the news?
A: Yes, I only hear.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! I would like to ask some questions about you. Before anything else I want to know why you are in Lebanon instead of your own country Iran?
A: When Imam Musa Sadr was still living in Lebanon and had not disappeared yet, I came with my elder brother and mother (may God bless her soul) to Lebanon to visit him. At that time my cousin, Shahid Mohammad Bagher Sadr came to Lebanon and married my sister. A little while later Sharafeddin, the grandson of Ayatollah Seyed Abdul Hussin Sharafeddin and the late leader of the Lebanese Shias asked for my hand in marriage and I was destined to marry him. I stayed here and while studying I got busy doing social work, the most important of which was administration of social and charitable institutes of Imam Musa Sadr.
Q: You have been living in Lebanon for 24 years. Have you ever thought of returning to your native land Iran?
A: I travel to Iran once every two or three months to visit my relatives. But to tell you the truth I have never thought of living in Iran permanently.
Q: Why?
A: I am deeply attached to the Shias of Lebanon. I spend all my time in their service. In Imam Sadr's institute that I manage, a number of homeless and destitute girls of South Lebanon live and study. I am very fond of these girls and consider them to be members of my family. I feel very happy and elated to be at their sides.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! Do you consider yourself to be more Iranian or Lebanese?
A: Both in fact. That is sometimes I think I am hundred percent Iranian, at other times I feel deeply attached to Lebanon. So I feel to be an Iranian at certain periods and to be Lebanese at other periods.
By: Gila Bani Yaqoub
source
Text: The employees of Imam Sadr's charitable and educational organization in South Lebanon call their director by her first name: Seyedeh Robabeh. Seyedeh Robabeh takes care of a large number of orphan children in South Lebanon in an institute called after the name of her brother. She told me: "Many of these children have lost their fathers and mothers in the war against Israel." Then she continues smilingly: "I feel happy at the side of these children."
I held an interview with Robabeh Sadr in her office in Imam Musa Sadr's institute in South Lebanon. The room was decorated by some white flowers in a vase placed on the table and her brother's picture hanging on the wall.
Q: When meeting you and talking with you, one is unconsciously reminded of your brother Imam Musa Sadr. So I prefer to ask some questions about him. Many different and at times conflicting versions have been heard about your brother's disappearance. That is why I would like to hear your own comments.
A: You are certainly aware that the rising agony of the people of Lebanon and intensification of the Zionists' aggression and occupation of the south of the country barred exercise of sovereignty of the government of Lebanon. That was because Israel refused to implement resolution 425 and withdraw from South Lebanon. Imam Musa Sadr felt it to be his duty to inform leaders of Arab countries about the crisis of Lebanon and the extent of the dangers there. The leaders would have direct effect on investigation of the matters. For this purpose he made trips to Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Algeria and called upon them to hold summit conference. For example he held talks with Houari Boumediene the president of Algeria. At the end of this candid talks lasting for four hours Boumediene said: "I am very elated to have seen you, because we had heard incorrect news about the war in South Lebanon and we were not aware of the facts, but now after talking with you everything is clear to me." Boumedien had also said: "I ask you to make a trip to Libya, because my brother Ghaddafi has incorrect information."
In reply to this request, Sadr said that he would make a trip to Libya soon at the invitation of the Libyan government. On 28 July 1978 he received the charge d'affaires of Libya in his office, who invited Sadr to attend the people's congress and hold talks with Col. Ghaddafi in Libya, and asked the meeting to take place on Aug. 19 or 21. Imam Musa Sadr accepted the invitation but hesitated about the timing, and about a month later he informed the charge d'affaires of Libya that he wished to make a trip on 25 August 1978, and had to leave Libya by 1 Sept. 1978 to take care of his sick wife who was under treatment in France. On Friday 25 Aug. 1978 he, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammad Yaghoub and Ostad Abbas Badreddin (director of the Lebanese news agency) went to Libya and stayed at Alshati Hotel in Tripoli as the official guest of the Libyan government. Some people had seen them till the 5th day but since then nobody knows anything about them. On the fifth day a car came to take them to see Ghaddafi and after their departure nothing has been heard about them.
Q: Did Mr. Sadr get in touch with anybody after his arrival in Libya or a few days after that? Did you or any members of your family receive any telephone calls or news from him?
A: No, there was no contact. Since Imam Sadr's arrival in Libya and the succeeding days nobody received any phone calls or letters from him, which was unlike his previous trips. Nothing was heard of his companions either. Ostad Badreddin who wanted to cover the news accompanied him.
Q: What about the mass media? Did they publish any news about Imam Musa Sadr's presence in Libya?
A: The Libyan mass media did not refer to the presence of the government's official guest, i.e. Imam Sadr, and did not publish anything about his programs.
Q: When nothing was heard about Imam Musa Sadr and his companions in Libya, what actions were taken by the Lebanese government to follow up the case?
A: When no contact was established, the Supreme Shia Council of Lebanon asked some questions from the Libyan charge d'affaires about Sadr' situation but he evaded to answer the questions. Four days later the Council informed Dr. Salim ul Hoss about the matter and he summoned the Libyan charge d'affaires immediately and demanded formal answer. The following day he replied: "Imam Sadr and his companions left Libya on Aug. 31, 1978 by the Italian Airlines for Rome so the subject did not concern them..." Following this allegation the government of Lebanon dispatched a judicial mission to Italy and the mission submitted a petition to the courts of Italy, and the Italian government replied after a few months that Imam Musa Sadr and his companion had never entered Italy.
Q: I have heard that the Libyan embassy in Lebanon sent a letter to the Supreme Shia Council on the same day in which it was stipulated that Italian security officials had confirmed the presence of Imam Musa Sadr and Sheikh Mohammad Yaghoub at the Holiday Inn in Rome and their suitcases had been delivered to the Italian prosecutor general's office. What you say does not conform to what has been said in the letter. What proof did Italy produce to prove his case?
A: What was said in the letter was unfounded. The information contained in the letter was inconsistent with correct findings of the Italian research system. The Italian judicial apparatus questioned the police on duty, customs at the airport and the crew of flight no 881 of the Italian Airlines that had left Tripoli on Aug. 31 for Rome. They even interrogated first class passengers. Passengers and crew said categorically that Imam Musa Sadr and his companions were not among the passengers.
Q: What about the Holiday Inn? The Libyan government claimed that Imam Musa Sadr and companions reserved rooms in the hotel for ten days.
A: After several months of enquiries by the Italian government it turned out that two persons with suitcases of Imam Sadr and Badreddin had left Libya to Italy and rooms at Holiday Inn had been reserved in their names. One of them, who wore Mr. Sadr's turban and cloak, was sitting in the lobby of the hotel in such a way that his back was turned toward the reservation desk of the hotel so that nobody could see his face. After ten minutes they climbed the stairs, changed their suits, left their passports in their rooms and fled from the hotel.
Q: You want to say that those who made the reservation at the Holiday Inn were not Imam Musa Sadr and his companions?
A: Yes. The manager of the hotel confirmed that the two persons who entered the hotel at 10 a.m. on Sept. 1, 1978 and who introduced themselves as Musa Sadr and Mohammad Shahadeh were not in fact Mr. Sadr and his companion because their pictures were not similar at all to those who had come to the hotel?
Q: Am I to infer from your remarks that you believe that your brother disappeared in Libya? Why should have Libya embarked on such an act? Was your brother at loggerheads with Libya? In principle I would like to know what good would come to Libya by kidnapping your brother?
A: Ghaddafi imitated Abdul Naser for years and wanted to be the leader of the Arabs but nobody would take notice of him. Then he tried to be the leader of Africa, and that was why he gave money to poor countries of Africa in order to get them around himself. In my opinion whatever he has done so far is unnatural. One day he gets involved with America, another day he comes to terms with it.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! You did not answer my question. I do not understand what was the motive for kidnapping Sadr?
A: All those who are familiar with the situation believe that Ghaddafi does not have a great mind. Imam Musa Sadr disappeared at a time when the Islamic Revolution of Iran was imminent. He had an intimate connection with Imam Khomeini and the revolution of Iran. Imam Musa Sadr was instrumental in organizing necessary training courses for brothers who came from Iran. At that time a number of Palestinians intended to settle in South Lebanon and make it their homeland, but Imam Musa Sadr was quite opposed to the idea. At the same time Christians wanted to divide Lebanon into four parts, which Sadr, through meetings with Arab leaders, prevented from happening. Therefore he caused displeasure of many individuals.
Q: I can infer from your remarks that in the episode of disappearance of Musa Sadr you consider Libya to be an agent who implemented the orders of others. Will you answer my question more clearly please?
A: I cannot mention anyone's name, I can only say those who did not want any good to be done, those who did not approve of Imam Musa Sadr's move to bring about unity among the warring factions in Lebanon, the same people who...
Q: Mrs. Sadr! You do not know their names or you do not want to reveal them?
A: Frankness might create other problems that I am trying to avoid.
Q: So you know but you rather not disclose.
A: Perhaps...
Q: Perhaps or really?
A: Yes you are right.
Q: Don't you really want to talk more frankly who were instrumental in disappearance of your brother? I mean those who, as you said, issued the orders?
A: I can say those who were the main factors of the civil war in Lebanon and sold their arms and weapons; those who would not dare do many things in their countries and brought their fights to Lebanon... Imam Musa Sadr was a great impediment for them.
Q: Were any direct negotiations carried out with Ghaddafi about disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr?
A: On Sept. 12, Ostad Elyas Sarkis, the president of Lebanon got in touch with Ghaddafi by telephone to ask him some questions and to inform him that there was no information about his guests. This telephone contact was not fruitful and the person who answered the phone said repeatedly that ghaddafi could not be reached through that number, and advised him to use another number. Use of the other phone number did not produce any result either. But the Prime Minister of Lebanon succeeded in having phone a conversation with Abdul Salam Jaloud on the same day. Jaloud said: "Mr. Sadr was not pleased with this trip, so he left Libya without informing the officials and being seen off."
Q: What have Mr. Musa Sadr's family done during these years to throw light on the incident?
A: You know families cannot do very much in this kind of problems. So what could we do? The only thing we did was to keep the matter alive from legal and popular points of view. Nevertheless we did everything that was within our power, for example we are still in contact with the Italian government.
Q: Who do you think can help with elucidation of Imam Musa Sadr's situation?
A: Whoever is fond of humanity and rightfulness can help a great person such as Imam Musa Sadr.
Q: Your brother, Imam Musa Sadr, disappeared 24 years ago, which is not a short period of time. I would like to know that despite the lapse of these years you still hope that he is alive?
A: I have had a feeling during all these years that he is in good health, and perhaps there was a good cause that he was far from social activities. I have faith in the Omnipotent and if He wishes Sard to be healthy, then he will be healthy.
Q: So you feel that Sadr is still alive?
A: Yes. Inshallah (God Willing), it stands to reason too. If some people wanted to kill him, why did not they do so in Lebanon and take him to Libya? Under conditions of Lebanon at that time, it was not at all difficult to eliminate him.
Q: I think the last piece of news I heard about your brother was from several years ago when some inmates of Abusalim Prison in Tripoli said that they had seen him in prison. What do you think about the news, could it be correct?
A: Yes we heard it too. Some persons claimed that they had seen him in prison.
Q: Have you talked with those who claim to have seen your brother? Or you merely have heard it from distance?
A: Usually much news comes to us about him every day. In order to avoid unfounded news I have refrained from meeting such individuals so far.
Q: So you are contented with merely hearing the news?
A: Yes, I only hear.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! I would like to ask some questions about you. Before anything else I want to know why you are in Lebanon instead of your own country Iran?
A: When Imam Musa Sadr was still living in Lebanon and had not disappeared yet, I came with my elder brother and mother (may God bless her soul) to Lebanon to visit him. At that time my cousin, Shahid Mohammad Bagher Sadr came to Lebanon and married my sister. A little while later Sharafeddin, the grandson of Ayatollah Seyed Abdul Hussin Sharafeddin and the late leader of the Lebanese Shias asked for my hand in marriage and I was destined to marry him. I stayed here and while studying I got busy doing social work, the most important of which was administration of social and charitable institutes of Imam Musa Sadr.
Q: You have been living in Lebanon for 24 years. Have you ever thought of returning to your native land Iran?
A: I travel to Iran once every two or three months to visit my relatives. But to tell you the truth I have never thought of living in Iran permanently.
Q: Why?
A: I am deeply attached to the Shias of Lebanon. I spend all my time in their service. In Imam Sadr's institute that I manage, a number of homeless and destitute girls of South Lebanon live and study. I am very fond of these girls and consider them to be members of my family. I feel very happy and elated to be at their sides.
Q: Mrs. Sadr! Do you consider yourself to be more Iranian or Lebanese?
A: Both in fact. That is sometimes I think I am hundred percent Iranian, at other times I feel deeply attached to Lebanon. So I feel to be an Iranian at certain periods and to be Lebanese at other periods.
By: Gila Bani Yaqoub
source
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lebanon indicts Gaddafi for abduction
A top Lebanese judge has approved a legal document that calls for the arrest of the Libyan leader over the disappearance of Imam Musa Sadr. "We decided ... to accuse Moammar Gaddafi... of inciting the kidnapping and withholding the freedom of... Imam Musa al-Sadr," said the court documents, approved by Investigative Judge Samih al-Haj late on Tuesday.
In August 1978, Iranian-born Lebanese philosopher and prominent religious leader, Imam Musa Sadr, and two of his companions departed for Libya to meet with officials of Gaddafi's government. However, they never returned to Lebanon.
Lebanon's leaders have long brought abduction charges against Tripoli.
An initial case against Libya was closed in 1986 for lack of evidence. But Lebanon's public prosecutor said in August 2004 that he would reopen the investigation after considering new evidence.
Prominent Shia cleric Imam Musa al-Sadr
Sadr was the founder of the Amal Movement, from which the powerful Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement later emerged.
He originally took up the plight of Lebanon's impoverished Shia community before the 1975-90 Lebanese civil war. While Lebanon was dissolving into chaos, Sadr preached religious tolerance as he sought to organize the Shias.
Sadr was born in Iran in 1928 and migrated to Lebanon. He remains a revered figure by all Lebanese Shias.
Although, the fate of Sadr and his companions has never been clearly determined, the general belief is that the three were killed shortly after being seized in Libya. Some reports however, claim that Sadr remains secretly incarcerated in the North African country. His disappearance continues to be a major source of dispute between Lebanon and Libya.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi - algathafi - Gathafi
Monday, August 3, 2009
Imam Musa Sadr's articles
IBNA: According to the public relations department of Sadr research-cultural institute, the Kazan University in the Republic of Tatarstan has contributed to the publication of the book.
The book contains a collection of articles and sermons by the missing Imam Musa Sadr compiled by Dr. Sayyid Javad Miri.
It also encompasses Sadr's biography with details about his abduction. Topics like Religions serving Humans, Celebrating freedom, Islam and Human Dignity, Islam's social Aspects, Islam, Values and Human Concepts, Islam, and Lebanon and Human Civilization' are unfolded in the book.
The book is converted into Russian by Ismael Ebadodin, a student of philosophy in Kazan University, and 2000 copies of it are marketed in Russia. The book was unveiled in a ceremony in the University on July 11, 2009.
The same book was previously translated into Turkish and its English version is also completed and will soon be marketed.
Sayyid Mūsá al-sadr (1929-disappeared in 1978), was an Iranian-born Lebanese philosopher and a prominent Shī‘a religious leader who spent many years of his life in Lebanon as a religious and political leader.
source
The book contains a collection of articles and sermons by the missing Imam Musa Sadr compiled by Dr. Sayyid Javad Miri.
It also encompasses Sadr's biography with details about his abduction. Topics like Religions serving Humans, Celebrating freedom, Islam and Human Dignity, Islam's social Aspects, Islam, Values and Human Concepts, Islam, and Lebanon and Human Civilization' are unfolded in the book.
The book is converted into Russian by Ismael Ebadodin, a student of philosophy in Kazan University, and 2000 copies of it are marketed in Russia. The book was unveiled in a ceremony in the University on July 11, 2009.
The same book was previously translated into Turkish and its English version is also completed and will soon be marketed.
Sayyid Mūsá al-sadr (1929-disappeared in 1978), was an Iranian-born Lebanese philosopher and a prominent Shī‘a religious leader who spent many years of his life in Lebanon as a religious and political leader.
source
Sunday, August 2, 2009
31 years on Imam Sadr disappearance in Libya (Gaddafi)
Date of the 1978 kidnapping of imam Sayyed Mussa sadr in Libya. The imam is considered one of the most prominent Muslim Shiite figures who sought to apply the message of religion in real life. He adopted the causes of the oppressed and the poor. imam sadr was also among the religious figures who contributed in launching the Islamic-Christian dialogue in Lebanon, at a time civil war was ruining this country. The imam did not have any ties with Libya or its rulers, however he decided to visit Tripoli in the wake of the 1978 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, as part of an tour of Arab countries to prepare for an Arab summit over the war. Then Algerian President Hawari Boumedian, suggested that the imam visits Libya for that purpose as Moammar Ghaddafi was a key player in the course of the political and military situation in Lebanon. imam sadr left Beirut's international airport for an official visit to meet Ghaddafi in Tripoli on the 25th of August 1978, accompanied by Sheikh Mohamad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine. According to reports, the trio stayed in the "Shate' Hotel" in Tripoli, however the imam's visit was not mentioned in Libyan media and every contact with him was cut. Witnesses said that they saw the imam and his two companions leave the hotel in an official convoy on the 31st of August, the date set for their meeting with Ghaddafi. The Libyan president however denied the meeting ever took place, even though reports say that he confirmed the date was set on the 31st of August at 1:00pm. The same reports said that the meeting did take place and deep differences between Ghaddafi and the imam surfaced pertaining to the crisis in Lebanon. They added that Kings and rulers intervened in vain to sort out the differences. Sayyed sadr and his companions disappeared and they were never heard of until this very day. Libyan authorities claimed that the sadr, Yaacoub and Badreddine had left Tripoli for Rome, as Ghaddafi refrained from addressing the issue with then Lebanese president Elias Sarkis. An investigative panel was formed to carry out a fact finding mission in Tripoli and Rome, but Libya refused to receive the panel. Investigators concluded that imam sadr and his companions had never left Libya and did not check into Italy. Rome conducted two rounds of investigations into the case and authorities concluded that Libyan claims were baseless. For their part, Lebanese authorities considered the disappearance of the imam and his companions as a crime against the state's internal security and took legal action. On the 30th of August 2001, Amnesty International issued its first report on the disappearance of imam sadr and his companions and stressed allegations that they had left Tripoli contradict the outcome of the Italian investigation.
imam sadr was born in the holy city Qom, Iran in 1928 to the prominent sadr family of theologians. His father was Ayatollah sadr al-Din al-sadr, while Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-sadr was his cousin. He attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to the Iranian capital Tehran where he received in 1956 a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and Political Sciences from Tehran University. He then moved back to Qom to study theology. Eventually he left Qom for Najaf to study theology under Ayatollah Sayed Muhsin al-Hakim and Ayatollah Sayyed Abul Qasim Khou'i. The sadr family is originally a Lebanese family, and in 1960 Musa al-sadr accepted an invitation to become the leading Muslim Shi'ite figure in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre. He was a vocal opponent of Israel. In 1969 he was appointed as the first head of the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, an entity meant to give the dacades-long oppressed Shi'ites more say in government. In 1974 he founded the Movement of the Disinherited to press for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'ites. He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon, many of which are still operation today.
Sayyed sadr was also the founder of the first armed resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli occupation, under the name Lebanese Resistance Brigades Movement, Arabic for Amal Movement.
imam sadr was born in the holy city Qom, Iran in 1928 to the prominent sadr family of theologians. His father was Ayatollah sadr al-Din al-sadr, while Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-sadr was his cousin. He attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to the Iranian capital Tehran where he received in 1956 a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and Political Sciences from Tehran University. He then moved back to Qom to study theology. Eventually he left Qom for Najaf to study theology under Ayatollah Sayed Muhsin al-Hakim and Ayatollah Sayyed Abul Qasim Khou'i. The sadr family is originally a Lebanese family, and in 1960 Musa al-sadr accepted an invitation to become the leading Muslim Shi'ite figure in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre. He was a vocal opponent of Israel. In 1969 he was appointed as the first head of the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, an entity meant to give the dacades-long oppressed Shi'ites more say in government. In 1974 he founded the Movement of the Disinherited to press for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'ites. He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon, many of which are still operation today.
Sayyed sadr was also the founder of the first armed resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli occupation, under the name Lebanese Resistance Brigades Movement, Arabic for Amal Movement.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
30 Years on Imam Sadr Disappearance in Libya
The 31st of August of every year, marks the date of the 1978 kidnapping of Imam Sayyed Mussa Sadr in Libya. The Imam is considered one of the most prominent Muslim Shiite figures who sought to apply the message of religion in real life. He adopted the causes of the oppressed and the poor. Imam Sadr was also among the religious figures who contributed in launching the Islamic-Christian dialogue in Lebanon, at a time civil war was ruining this country. The Imam did not have any ties with Libya or its rulers, however he decided to visit Tripoli in the wake of the 1978 Israeli invasion of Lebanon, as part of an tour of Arab countries to prepare for an Arab summit over the war.Then Algerian President Hawari Boumedian, suggested that the Imam visits Libya for that purpose as Moammar Ghaddafi was a key player in the course of the political and military situation in Lebanon. Imam Sadr left Beirut's international airport for an official visit to meet Ghaddafi in Tripoli on the 25th of August 1978, accompanied by Sheikh Mohamad Yaacoub and journalist Abbas Badreddine.According to reports, the trio stayed in the "Shate' Hotel" in Tripoli, however the Imam's visit was not mentioned in Libyan media and every contact with him was cut. Witnesses said that they saw the Imam and his two companions leave the hotel in an official convoy on the 31st of August, the date set for their meeting with Ghaddafi. The Libyan president however denied the meeting ever took place, even though reports say that he confirmed the date was set on the 31st of August at 1:00pm. The same reports said that the meeting did take place and deep differences between Ghaddafi and the Imam surfaced pertaining to the crisis in Lebanon. They added that Kings and rulers intervened in vain to sort out the differences.Sayyed Sadr and his companions disappeared and they were never heard of until this very day. Libyan authorities claimed that Sadr, Yaacoub and Badreddine had left Tripoli for Rome, as Ghaddafi refrained from addressing the issue with then Lebanese president Elias Sarkis. An investigative panel was formed to carry out a fact finding mission in Tripoli and Rome, but Libya refused to receive the panel. Investigators concluded that Imam Sadr and his companions had never left Libya and did not check into Italy. Rome conducted two rounds of investigations into the case and authorities concluded that Libyan claims were baseless.For their part, Lebanese authorities considered the disappearance of the Imam and his companions as a crime against the state's internal security and took legal action. On the 30th of August 2001, Amnesty International issued its first report on the disappearance of Imam Sadr and his companions and stressed allegations that they had left Tripoli contradict the outcome of the Italian investigation.Imam Sadr was born in the holy city Qom, Iran in 1928 to the prominent Sadr family of theologians. His father was Ayatollah Sadr al-Din al-Sadr, while Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr was his cousin. He attended his primary school in his hometown and then moved to the Iranian capital Tehran where he received in 1956 a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence and Political Sciences from Tehran University. He then moved back to Qom to study theology. Eventually he left Qom for Najaf to study theology under Ayatollah Sayed Muhsin al-Hakim and Ayatollah Sayyed Abul Qasim Khou'i.The Sadr family is originally a Lebanese family, and in 1960 Musa al-Sadr accepted an invitation to become the leading Muslim Shi'ite figure in the Lebanese southern city of Tyre. He was a vocal opponent of Israel. In 1969 he was appointed as the first head of the Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council, an entity meant to give the dacades-long oppressed Shi'ites more say in government. In 1974 he founded the Movement of the Deprived to press for better economic and social conditions for the Shi'ites. He established a number of schools and medical clinics throughout southern Lebanon, many of which are still operation today.Sayyed Sadr was also the founder of the first armed resistance in Lebanon against the Israeli occupation, under the name Lebanese Resistance Brigades Movement, Arabic for Amal Movement.
Source
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi
Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
muammar gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Muammar Gaddafi abducted Imam Musa Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi
Gaddafi - free Imam Sadr
Gaddafi - muammar Gaddafi - moammar al-Gaddafi - algaddafi - imam sadr - imam musa sadr - imam mousa sadr - free imam sadr - abductor gaddafi - qaddafi - Qaddafi -Alqaddafi - musa sadr -Imam Musa Sadr - Libya - Muammar al-Gaddafi
Monday, July 6, 2009
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