World Assembly of Muslim Youth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Abbreviation | WAMY |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1972 |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 24°44′18″N 46°39′28″E / 24.73833°N 46.65778°E |
Chairman | Saleh Al ash-Sheikh |
Vice Chairman | Abdullah Omar Nasseef |
Secretary General | Dr. Saleh Suleman Al-Wohaibi |
| Website | www.wamy.co.uk (English) www.wamy.org (Arabic) |
The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) is an international Islamic educational organization whose stated purpose is to "preserve the identity of Muslim youth and help overcome the problems they face in modern society".[1] Reportedly the world's largest Muslim organization,[citation needed] WAMY organizes conferences, symposia, educational workshops and research circles to address youth and student issues, in addition to football tournaments and European Muslim Scouts camps for Muslim youth in Europe. Along with the Muslim World League, it is part of a "worldwide network of largely Saudi-funded groups... promoting Islamic teachings and encouraging Muslims to be more religiously observant, as well as providing interested non-Muslims and recent converts with information about Islam".[2] It maintains satellite chapters in 31 other countries and is affiliated with some 196 other Muslim youth groups on five continents.[3]
WAMY was founded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1972 and has offices in countries with significant Muslim populations throughout the world.[2] WAMY was co-founded by Muslim Brotherhood member Kamal Helwabi and Abdullah bin Laden, nephew of al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. Abdullah bin Laden served as president through 2002, and was later treasurer. [4] Abdullah also incorporated WAMY's U.S. branch in Falls Church, Virginia in 1992.[5] Kamal Helwabi went on to serve as WAMY's executive director until 1982.[citation needed]
According to the Pew Research Center, between the 1970s and 1990s, the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Muslim World League and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth in Europe became "so intertwined that it was often difficult to tell them apart".[2] It further notes that the influence of WAMY and the Muslim World League has waned somewhat as social media and blogs have "made it easier for other groups to reach wide audiences".[2] Books favored by the organization during the 1980s–90s included works by Islamist authors Sayyid Qutb, Abul A'la Maududi, and Muhammad Qutb.[6][7]
Aims
WAMY's South African branch aims "to preserve the Muslim identity, to help overcome the problems Muslim youth face in modern society", and to "educate and train Muslim youth in order for them to become active and positive citizens in their countries". WAMY aims to introduce Islam to non-Muslims in its "purest form as a comprehensive system and way of life" and "to establish a relationship of dialogue, understanding and appreciation between other faith organizations".[8]
WAMY organizes conferences, symposia, workshops and research circles to address youth and students issues. It also publishes material that introduces Islam to non-Muslims. WAMY organizes exchange visits, Hajj and Umrah trips and provide training and support to Muslim youth organizations.[8]
The website of WAMY's UK branch states its aim is to "build bridges of peace and unity in our multicultural society. ...Through educating the Muslim youth to the common good and promoting understanding among people of different communities".[9]
Both the Muslim World League and WAMY are widely seen to be promoting the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam prevalent in Saudi Arabia, due to Saudi funding and influence on it.[2]
