Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun

Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassun was born in Aleppo, Syria. His father, Muhammad Adib Hassun (1913–2008), was also a sheikh. He has five children and ten grandchildren. Hassoun studied at the University of Islamic Studies, where he graduated as Doctor in Shafi'i fiqh.[http://www.drhassoun.com/category.aspx?catid=9 Hassoun's official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125161914/http://www.drhassoun.com/category.aspx?catid=9 |date=2010-11-25 }} (in Arabic), retrieved 12-20-10

He also have been member of People's Assembly of Syria from 1990 to 1998.{{cite web |url=https://syrianmemory.org/archive/figures/5e9ae5e13062e8000168426c |title=أحمد بدر الدين حسون |publisher=Syrian Memory |language=ar }}

Hassoun took office as Grand Mufti of Syria in July 2005 after the death of Ahmed Kuftaro.Shora, Nawar, "The Arab-American Handbook: A Guide to the Arab, Arab-American and Muslim Worlds", {{ISBN|978-1-885942-14-2}}. Page 237

On September 6, 2006, Hassoun met the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, to discuss the relationship between the two nations, as well as the two religions, among other issues.[http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/pr_06/060906_vo_syria_sheikh.html Minister Oskanian Meets with Sheikh Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassun, Mufti of Syrian Arab Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927085930/http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/pr_06/060906_vo_syria_sheikh.html |date=2011-09-27 }} Armenian Foreign Ministry web site, retrieved 12-21-10 In the same travel he met the Catholicos of All Armenians.[http://www.huliq.com/159/highest-ranking-muslim-cleric-in-syria-visits-armenia Highest ranking Muslim cleric in Syria visits Armenia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310172055/http://www.huliq.com/159/highest-ranking-muslim-cleric-in-syria-visits-armenia |date=2012-03-10 }}, HULIQ.com, Hareyan Publishing LLC, retrieved 12-21-10

On January 15, 2008, Hassoun spoke to the European Parliament on the subject of intercultural dialogue, stressing the value of culture as a unifying rather than a dividing force. Hassoun was addressing a formal sitting of Parliament as the first speaker in a series of visits by eminent religious and cultural leaders in 2008, which had been designated the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. He made the statement "Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohamed came with one single religion", therefore "there is no holy war, because a war can never be holy: it is peace that is holy"; later he added that it is wrong to use religion to justify killing.[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+IM-PRESS+20080111BRI18238+ITEM-005-EN+DOC+XML+V0//EN European Parliament], retrieved 12-21-10[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU16HWiOZZk Excerpts of Hassoun's speech at the European Parliament], (video)

Hassoun's 22-year-old son, Sariya, was assassinated on October 2, 2011, in an ambush on the road between Idlib and Aleppo.{{cite journal | journal=The Wall Street Journal | date=2011-10-04 | title=Assassinations Sow Discord in Syria | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203791904576608982056241782}}

{{main|Syrian Civil War}}

Ahmed Badr al‑Din Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria, was one of the most prominent religious figures featured in the official Syrian discourse during the uprising that began in 2011. Rumours circulated that he had joined the Syrian Revolution, which he publicly denied.{{cite web |date=21 April 2011 |title=Syrian Grand Mufti denies joining the uprising |url=https://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id270523&date21042011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126095539/http://www.alraimedia.com/Alrai/Article.aspx?id270523&date21042011 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |access-date=18 April 2025 |publisher=Al Rai}} He was known for his staunch support of President Bashar al‑Assad during the unrest.{{cite news |last=AP |date=3 October 2011 |title=Syria government blames 'terrorist group' for killing mufti's son |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-oct-03-la-fg-syria-protests-20111004-story.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240724181311/https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-oct-03-la-fg-syria-protests-20111004-story.html |archive-date=24 July 2024 |access-date=18 April 2025 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web |author=Nir Rosen |date=3 October 2011 |title=A conversation with Grand Mufti Hassoun |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/201110312588957185.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190719214928/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/201110312588957185.html |archive-date=19 July 2019 |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=Al Jazeera English}} Hassoun is considered to be a firm supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.{{cite journal |journal=Los Angeles Times |date=2011-10-03 |title=Syria government blames 'terrorist group' for killing mufti's son |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-oct-03-la-fg-syria-protests-20111004-story.html}}[http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/201110312588957185.html A conversation with Grand Mufti Hassoun] by Nir Rosen, Aljazeera, October 3, 2011.

Hassoun was interviewed by the German magazine Der Spiegel on 8 November 2011, saying that some of the protestors in Syria were armed Islamist rebels backed by Saudi Arabia. He talked about religion and politics in Syria during the revolution:

But then imams who had come from abroad, especially Saudi Arabia, stirred things up with their inflammatory speeches. The news channels stationed in the Gulf states, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, helped them by falsely claiming that the clergy was on the side of the anti-Assad protesters.", "And what has really improved in Egypt? Should we welcome the rise of Islamist parties? I believe in the strict separation of church and state."

"How many, 50 or 55? We're talking about an army of tens of thousands of men. But some of the radical Sunni imams from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region are stirring people up, and unfortunately they are finding a few Sunni imams in my country who sympathize with them. For instance, they have pronounced a fatwa against me, because in their view I am betraying religion and am too moderate. But I'm not the only one on their hit list."

"They set their sights on my innocent son Saria, a 22-year-old student who was always friendly to everyone, who was studying International Relations and did not want to make religion his profession. So much for the kin liability you've criticized elsewhere! Oh, if only the four killers had killed me instead.",

"There are close ties between the Saudi royal family and the American White House. The Americans are often on the side of the oppressors. I am always on the side of the oppressed."

"I see myself as the grand mufti of all 23 million Syrians, not just Muslims, but also Christians and even atheists. I am a man of dialogue. Who knows, maybe an agnostic will convince me with better arguments one day, and I'll become a non-believer. And if I'm enthusiastic about the opposition's political platform, I also might change sides.{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-syrian-grand-mufti-assad-could-step-down-after-free-elections-a-796363.html|title=Interview with Syrian Grand Mufti: 'Assad Could Step Down After Free Elections' - DER SPIEGEL - International|first=DER|last=SPIEGEL|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=8 November 2011 }}

Hassoun's 22-year-old son, Sariya, was assassinated on October 2, 2011, in an ambush on the road between Idlib and Aleppo.{{cite journal |date=2011-10-04 |title=Assassinations Sow Discord in Syria |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203791904576608982056241782 |journal=The Wall Street Journal}}

In a public address which aired on Syrian News Channel and was posted on the Internet on 9 October 2011 (as translated by Enab Baladi), Hassoun threatened Europe and the United States if Syria was attacked by external powers, stating that: "The moment the first missile hits Syria, all the sons and daughters of Lebanon and Syria will set out to become martyrdom-seekers in Europe and on Palestinian soil. I say to all of Europe and to the US: We will prepare martyrdom-seekers who are already among you. If you bomb Syria or Lebanon, it will be an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ehAV_Jjbig |title=Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun", Grand Mufti of the Syrian regime threating Europe |publisher=Baladi News |language=ar |date=22 April 2016 }}[http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/10/171134.html Suicide bombers in U.S., UK and France ready to strike if Syria attacked: Grand mufti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116074819/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/10/171134.html|date=2014-01-16}}, Al Arabiya, October 10, 2011.[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/syria-clergyman-threatens-west-with-suicide-attacks-1.389161 Syria clergyman threatens West with suicide attacks], Haaretz, October 10, 2011.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/syria-homs-fighting_n_1003053.html Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, Syrian Top Sunni Cleric, Warns Western Countries Against Military Intervention] by Zeina Karam, Associated Press, (reprinted in the Huffington Post), October 10, 2011.

Following the broadcasting of this speech, the Foundation for Middle East Peace withdrew an invitation to Hassoun to speak at the "Coexistence and Dialogue" conference. Foundation president Philip Wilcox stated that "We were not aware of his speech, which was at odds with the theme of the event."[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jun/25/dc-peace-group-disinvites-syrian-cleric-for-dialog/ D.C. peace group disinvites Syrian cleric for dialogue] by Ashish Kumar Sen, Washington Times, June 25, 2012.

During the initial protests in Daraa and elsewhere in early 2011, Hassoun appeared on state television several times, claiming that “external hands” were behind the unrest, without naming any specific country or group. He labelled the demonstrations as “acts of sabotage” carried out by “terrorists” and “armed cells” supported by foreign states.{{cite web |date=26 March 2011 |title=Grand Mufti: External hands behind Daraa events |url=https://alwafd.news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id27511:%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7&catid99:%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9&Itemid93 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126095545/https://alwafd.news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id27511:%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B9%D8%A7&catid99:%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9&Itemid93 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |access-date=18 April 2025 |publisher=Al Wafd}}

On 9 October 2011, in a speech broadcast on Syrian state television and online, Hassoun warned that any Western military intervention would provoke suicide operations by Lebanese and Syrian nationals in Europe and on Palestinian soil, stating: “In the moment the first missile hits Syria … we will send you our martyrs who are among you now.”{{cite news |last=Karam, Zeina |date=10 October 2011 |title=Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, Syrian Top Sunni Cleric, Warns Western Countries Against Military Intervention |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/syria-homs-fighting_n_1003053.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303173001/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/10/syria-homs-fighting_n_1003053.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=18 April 2025 |newspaper=The Huffington Post (via AP)}}{{cite news |date=10 October 2011 |title=Suicide bombers in U.S., UK and France ready to strike if Syria attacked: Grand Mufti |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/10/171134.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116074819/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/10/10/171134.html |archive-date=16 January 2014 |access-date=18 April 2025 |newspaper=Al Arabiya English}} Following the broadcast, the Foundation for Middle East Peace withdrew its invitation for him to speak at its “Coexistence and Dialogue” conference.

In 2016, it was reported by Amnesty International that Hassoun was one of three men who had been deputised by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with the power to sign execution warrants for prisoners at Sednaya Prison.{{Cite news |title=Syrian grand mufti 'given power to approve thousands of executions' |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/senior-syrian-cleric-approved-execution-thousands-syrian-prison-1552206366 |access-date=2018-11-05 |work=Middle East Eye |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=There is as much evidence against Assad as there was against the Nazis |url=https://www.trtworld.com/opinion/there-is-as-much-evidence-against-assad-as-there-was-against-the-nazis-17076 |access-date=2018-11-05 |website=There is as much evidence against Assad as there was against the Nazis |language=tr-TR}}{{cite book |url=https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/human_slaughterhouse.pdf |title=Human Slaughterhouse: Mass Hangings and Extermination at Saydnaya Prison, Syria |publisher=Amnesty International |year=2016 |pages=6 |access-date=18 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801071635/https://www.amnestyusa.org/files/human_slaughterhouse.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2019}} A 2017 follow‑up report estimated that approximately 13,000 detainees were executed at Saydnaya following the Mufti’s approval.{{cite web |author=محمد شعبان أيوب |date=2 April 2025 |title=قصة أحمد حسون، مفتي “البراميل” والإعدامات |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/2025/4/2/%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%B5%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A1?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=18 April 2025 |publisher=Al Jazeera Arabic}}

Hassoun’s remarks about Syrian refugees drew severe criticism. He accused those who fled the conflict of betraying the nation and called for legal action against them, framing their departure as part of a foreign plot. Human rights observers denounced these statements as criminalizing victims and providing a religious justification for state persecution.{{cite web |date=19 February 2025 |title=أحمد حسون مفتي الأسد الذي لقّبه الثوار بـ"مفتي البراميل" |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2025/2/19/%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B0%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1 |access-date=9 April 2025 |publisher=Al Jazeera Arabic}}

He went into hiding and became a wanted man after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. In February 2025, he was spotted in the Aleppo region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1448520/en-syrie-la-traque-du-grand-mufti-dassad-.html|title=En Syrie, la traque du « grand mufti d’Assad »|date=February 20, 2025|website=L'Orient-Le Jour}}

On 26 March 2025, he was arrested at Damascus International Airport while attempting to leave the country for surgery in Oman via a stopover in Jordan. His passport was stamped before his arrest. He was then the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/3/27/%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%82-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AB%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1|title=اعتقال المفتي السابق أحمد حسون أثناء محاولته مغادرة سوريا|website=الجزيرة نت}}{{cite web |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/358706/ |title=Trying to leave Syria {{!}} Former Mufti of Syria “Ahmed Hassoun” arrested in Damascus International Airport |publisher=SOHR |date=26 March 2025 }}

• 2016 international conference on Sunni Islam in Grozny

• [http://www.facebook.com/pages/smaht-mfty-aljmhwryt-alrbyt-alswryt-d-ahmd-bdr-aldyn-hswn/101118583286074 Official Facebook profile]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hassoun, Ahmad}}

Category:1949 births

Category:Living people

Category:Syrian imams

Category:People from Aleppo

Category:Syrian Sunni Muslims

Category:Grand muftis of Syria

Category:Members of the People's Assembly of Syria