Circassians in Libya
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Circassians in Libya
| native_name = Либием ис Адыгэхэр
| native_name_lang = ady
| population = 35,000
| genealogy =
| regions = Misrata and Benghazi
| flag = Circassian flag.svg
| flag_caption = Circassian flag
| languages = Circassian languages, Arabic, Berber
| religions = Islam
}}
Circassians in Libya ({{Langx|ady|Либием ис Адыгэхэр|translit=Libiyem yis Adıgəxər}}) refers to the Circassian diaspora settled in Libya, numbering about 30,000 today.[http://www.echo.msk.ru/blog/word/808846-echo/ Радио Эхо Москвы][http://www.segodnia.ru/pda.php?pgid=2&rzdl=13&elmid=13947 Инорм-аналит издание "Сегодня РУ"]{{dead link|bot=InternetArchiveBot|date=August 2021}} They live mainly in Misrata and Benghazi.Nart Magazine 63(27), Circassian Charity Society, Amman, September 1998. They have been integrated into Libyan society and are mostly Arabised.
History
Unlike the majority other Circassian diasporas in the Middle East, the Libyan Circassians are not descendants of the Circassians exiled during the Circassian genocide, but are descendants of the Circassian Mamluks who served in the armies of the Arab caliphs since the 9th century.Andrew McGregor, A Military History of Modern Egypt: From the Ottoman Conquest to the Ramadan War, Praeger Security International, Westport Conn., 2006, pp.59-70. The traditions among Libyan Circassians have mostly been Arabised.Amjad Jaimoukha, The Circassians: A Handbook, Curzon, Surrey England, 2001, p.119.
Gaddafi era
The Circassians in Kosovo moved to the Republic of Adygea in 1998 and Muammar Gaddafi sent support and donations to the village. Gaddafi, according to his own words, showed a deep respect for the Circassians and their historical suffering.Al- Shishani, Murad Batal. Qaddafi Tries to Secure Loyalty of Circassians of Misrata
In March 2011, Muammar Gaddafi delegated a diplomat to the Jordanian capital of Amman to meet Circassians in Jordan and get their support. The Jordanian Circassians, convinced that the Libyan Circassians have lost their identity and became Arabs, did not respond.[http://www.segodnia.ru/pda.php?pgid=2&rzdl=13&elmid=13947 Инорм-аналит издание "Сегодня РУ"]{{dead link|bot=InternetArchiveBot|date=August 2021}}
Umar Muhayshi
Umar Muhayshi was a Libyan army officer.