Naim Qassem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naim Qassem
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نعيم قاسم | |
![]() Qassem in 2014
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4th Secretary-General of Hezbollah | |
Assumed office 29 October 2024 |
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Deputy |
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Preceded by | Hassan Nasrallah |
1st Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah | |
In office May 1991 – 29 October 2024 |
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Secretary-General |
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Preceded by | Position established |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Personal details | |
Born | February 1953 (age 72) Kfar Fila, Lebanon |
Political party | Hezbollah (since 1982) |
Other political affiliations |
Amal Movement (until 1979) |
Children | 6 |
Education | Lebanese University |
a. | |
Naim Mohammad Qassem was born in February 1953. He is a Lebanese religious leader and politician. On October 29, 2024, he became the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, which is a political group in Lebanon. He is the fourth person to hold this important role. Mr. Qassem helped start Hezbollah in 1982. Before becoming Secretary-General, he was the first Deputy Secretary-General from 1991 to 2024.
Naim Qassem was born in a town called Kfar Kila in Lebanon. He earned a master's degree in chemistry from the Lebanese University in 1977. He worked as a chemistry teacher for some years. Later, he joined a political group called the Amal Movement. He also studied religious teachings under a scholar named Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah.
After the Iranian Revolution, he helped create Hezbollah. In 1991, he was chosen to be the Deputy Secretary-General under the leader at the time, Abbas al-Musawi. He kept this role when Hassan Nasrallah became the leader after al-Musawi. Naim Qassem was in charge of the group's election campaigns. He also played a key role in developing their ideas and beliefs.
In September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah passed away. Naim Qassem was then appointed as the acting Secretary-General. About a month later, in October, Mr. Qassem was elected as the new Secretary-General. This happened after another possible leader, Hashem Saffiedine, also passed away due to Israeli strikes.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Naim Qassem was born in February 1953 in Kfar Fila, Lebanon. His family was from the Shiite Muslim community. He grew up in the city of Beirut. He studied religious subjects with his teacher, Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. He also went to the Lebanese University. There, he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Chemistry. He finished his studies in 1977.
Career Highlights
Naim Qassem started his career as a chemistry teacher. He taught for several years.
In the 1970s, Mr. Qassem was one of the people who founded the Lebanese Union of Muslim Students. He joined the Amal Movement when Musa al-Sadr was its leader. However, he left the Amal Movement in 1979. From 1974 to 1988, Qassem was the head of the Association for Islamic Religious Education. He also advised the al-Mustafa schools. He was very involved in setting up Hezbollah.
In 1991, he became the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah. Abbas al-Musawi chose him for this role. He continued in this position when Hassan Nasrallah became the leader in 1992.
Since the 1992 Lebanese general election, Naim Qassem has managed Hezbollah's political campaigns for parliamentary elections. This was the first time they took part in elections. For many years leading up to 2024, Mr. Qassem was known as one of Hezbollah's main spokespeople.
Becoming Secretary-General
Naim Qassem was elected as the Secretary-General of Hezbollah on October 29, 2024. This happened after the previous leader, Hassan Nasrallah, passed away in September 2024. The person who was expected to take over, Hashem Safieddine, also passed away on October 3.
Books and Ideas
In 2002, Naim Qassem wrote a book called Hizbullah: The Story from Within. This book was updated and re-released four times, with the most recent version in 2010. In August 2011, at an event for his book, Qassem said that they had been offered a lot of money to rebuild parts of South Lebanon. In return, they were asked to give up their weapons and stop their resistance work. But he stated that they did not need the money and would continue their resistance.
Personal Life
Naim Qassem is married and has six children.
See also
In Spanish: Naim Qassem para niños