Ali Benhaj
DOB: 21 November 1961
Nationality: Algerian
Location: Algeria
Ideology/Affiliation: Salafism/ Political Islam
Type of Leader: Preacher/ Propagandist/ Terrorist Supporter
Biography
Ali Benhaj is an Algerian Salafi preacher and a co-founder of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), a radical sunni Islamist party in 1989. The FIS won the legislative elections of 1991, but the military leadership canceled them.
Benhaj rejects Western democracy and calls for the establishment of an Islamic state. Ideologically, Benhaj is a Salafi who believes in the literal interpretation of the Quran and Sunnah. He is also influenced by the ideas of Ibn Taymiyyah, Mohamed Ibn Abdul Wahhab, Abu al-Ala al-Mwdudi and Sayyid Qutb.
Benhaj was jailed on charges of threatening state security for twelve years between 1991 and 2003.
Despite being under close security monitoring since he was released, Benhaj continues to preach via social media. He usually comments on political developments in Algeria, particularly those linked to the political protest movement (Hirak).
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185K Followers
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Evidence of Hate Speech/Incitement:
May 2021: Benhaj stated that Christians and Jews have always been ungrateful towards Muslims throughout history.
September 2014: Benhaj stated that Arab countries involved in military operations against the Islamic State (DAESH) in Syria and Iraq are traitors and agents of the West.
Social Media:
Translation: Ali Benhaj was one of the first to warn about the danger represented by the Shia Rafidah (rejectors) in Algeria in 1979.
Translation: Benhaj published a Facebook post including a Fatwa by Sheikh Ahmed Shaker. the Fatwa says that “cooperation whether small or big with England is apostasy from Islam that can’t be accepted.”
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