Sheikh Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam

(? - 1935)

Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam was a Muslim preacher, religious teacher and social reformer whose name is now used for the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas.

Born in Ladeqiya, Syria; Muslim Brotherhood member; preached Jihad (holy war) and revolution against both the British and the Zionists; organiser and leader of the first Palestinian guerilla group, acting against British security forces while preaching in Hebron; killed in action (first Palestinian guerilla act) against British forces on November 19, 1935; his martyrdom triggered the Great Revolt of 1936-39, and his example was very much in the mind of Arafat and his colleagues three decades later; today, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, is named after him.

Sources: PASSIA