Prologue
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 January 2021
Summary
There are hardly any reliable publications in English, or for that matter in any other language, which include Hizbullah's primary documents, starting with the Party's 1985 Open Letter; passing through all of its legislative and municipal election programs from 1992 to 2010; including all the Agreements, Understandings, and Pacts the Party ratified over the years; and ending with its 2009 Political Manifesto. The dearth of these documents and the distortions that resulted from inaccurate translations prompted the author to embark on the task of rectify-ing the misrepresentations that resulted from these recondite translations, especially when these might negatively impact academics and policymakers alike. Through a privileged access to the Party, the author was able to compile over the years these original primary documents in Arabic. He dedicated his efforts to translate them in a thorough, comprehensive, and meticulous way, while offering adequate footnoting, commentary, and relevant background information, in order to draw attention to the metamorphosis Hizbullah has been going through. The author paid scrupulous attention to not offering literal translations that might distort the original meaning and message. Rather, his translations carefully examine the content, framework, and context of these documents, specifically highlighting the underlying religio-political and ideological background. In addition, this unique book offers a detailed “Chronology of Events”, which accurately surveys the history of Hizbullah to the extent that one could claim that it portrays the history of the Party par excellence. The “Chronology” is indeed an added asset to the proper understanding of these documents. In addition, a glossary of Arabic terms is included for a smooth reading of the book. All of these are at the readers’ fingertips so that they may use them in construing the complex domestic, regional, and international dynamics and geopolitical implications that surround Hizbullah. The author believes that a proper understanding of Hizbullah can avert grave policy implications that are based on wrongly disseminated information readily made available in this globalized age. The author hopes that this book will become a reliable reference work. While the author acknowledges that any shortcomings are his, he would like to thank anonymous reviewers, the editorial board of Amsterdam University Press (AUP), the editor and the copy-editor, and all the AUP family who contributed to polishing this work and making it accessible.
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- Hizbullah's DocumentsFrom the 1985 Open Letter to the 2009 Manifesto, pp. 11 - 12Publisher: Amsterdam University PressPrint publication year: 2011