Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah is a hero to millions of Muslims worldwide. Who is this new Islamist leader? What are his ideas and goals? Stephen Schwartz— the journalist and scholar who coined the term “Islamofascism”—offers an indispensable collection of writings, speeches and interviews. Excerpt: On this great and revered day on which our honorable and chaste people return to their villages, towns, houses and neighborhoods, I address my message to you. I would like to emphasize some issues and matters in this message. First of all, I do not want to assess or discuss in detail what we are currently witnessing, but I want to say briefly and without exaggeration that we stand before a strategic and historical victory for Lebanon – all of Lebanon, for the resistance, and for the whole nation. I will leave the details of my discourse, its scope, proof and facts, for the coming days. This is because I want to devote my words on this occasion to the martyrs and the sacrifices of martyrs – the martyrs of the [Islamic] resistance and the martyrs of all resisting and honorable parties and forces. I address my words to the martyrs of the army, security forces, civil defense forces and the media. I also address my words to civilian men, women, and children who were martyred – particularly the martyrs of massacres starting with Marwahin on the first days and ending with yesterday’s massacres in the Al-Brital, Sufayr and Ruways areas, as well as the residential complex of Imam Al-Hasan, peace be upon him, in Beirut’s southern suburbs. My message on this occasion is devoted to the men of the [Islamic] Resistance, [representing] sacrifices, firmness, steadfastness, people, kinfolk, beloved ones, friends, patience, trust, perseverance and the faithful ones in Lebanon and outside Lebanon who stood by us throughout this war. I do not think that I am qualified or can express what is in my mind, heart and feelings, or can explain this matter while sitting in front of a camera. The right setting for this is during a forthcoming meeting with people, beloved ones, the mujahidin, and through direct talk with them. Therefore, I will leave what is related to this matter to that forthcoming meeting, God willing, so as to discuss all this and to talk about the issues of prisoners, the other occupied lands, Gaza and the suffering of its people, Palestine, sacrifices, injustice, historical responsibility, the historical turning point, as well as the approaching phase. The second matter that I would like to discuss involves the displaced persons and their return to their homes and the phase after their return. First of all, I would like to greet all those who held their ground in the battlefield of confrontation and who endured unbearable things, since the extent of bombardment from the air, land and sea was unprecedented in the history of Lebanon. The extent of destruction the Israeli enemy inflicted on infrastructure and houses, which directly harm families, is also unprecedented in any Israeli war on Lebanon. The enemy left behind huge destruction and devastation, which are expressive of its bitterness, brutality and powerlessness. In the past few days alone, it destroyed thousands of homes in the south, in [Beirut’s] southern suburbs, in [the Bekaa Valley], and in all Lebanese areas, with particular emphasis on the southern Lebanese areas and Beirut’s southern suburbs, with the goal, of course, being to injure the people and punishing them for their posture, honor, chivalry, commitment, faith, humanity and pride. At any rate, we must thank and salute those who were patient throughout their displacement and forced migration and returned today to their regions, lands and homes, even if demolished, and I wish to especially thank all the residents of the areas [that welcomed the displaced] as well as all the sects, political parties, the state and its institutions, all humanitarian organizations, and all those who helped embrace our displaced people during the difficult time of the war. |