Despite the lack of legal and official authorization for Hezbollah—since forming political parties or associations within the Islamic Republic framework is considered theologically a "Western heresy" and un-Islamic—its political wing began, even before the end of the Lebanese Civil War, obtaining permits from the Lebanese Ministry of Interior for some of its associations under the guise of "cultural organizations."
These associations later expanded beyond their original framework, using religious care for shrines and complexes to serve political purposes and mobilize the masses. As a result, Hezbollah-affiliated associations became active in managing religious sites, fostering both religious tourism and visits, in cooperation with Lebanese state institutions, including ministries and public administrations.
In this context, several religious associations tied to "Hezbollah’s Ummah" have emerged. Their overt goal is to care for religious shrines and complexes, but their underlying mission is “preaching” and to exploit “religious commitment” to recruit young fighters motivated by sectarian loyalty and religious indoctrination. Below are details of two prominent associations operating freely in this regard.
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