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{{short description|Lebanese poet and activist}}
{{Infobox philosopher
{{Infobox philosopher
| honorific_prefix =
| honorific_prefix =
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| other_names = Hilal Bin Zaytoun
| other_names = Hilal Bin Zaytoun
| birth_name = Hassan Abdullah Hamdan <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_name = Hassan Abdullah Hamdan <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = 1936 <!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living persons, {{dirth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} for deceased -->
| birth_date = {{Birth year|1936}}
| birth_place = [[Harouf]], [[Lebanon]]
| birth_place = [[Harouf]], [[Lebanon]]
| death_date = May 18, 1987 <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) -->
| death_date = May 18, {{death year and age|1987|1936}}
| death_place = [[Beirut, Lebanon]]
| death_place = [[Beirut, Lebanon]]
| death_cause = Assassinated
| death_cause = Assassinated
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| signature_size =
| signature_size =
| signature_alt =
| signature_alt =
| era =
| era = [[20th-century philosophy]]
| region = [[Arab world]]
| region = [[Middle Eastern philosophy]]
| school_tradition =
| school_tradition =
| institutions = [[Lebanese University]]
| institutions = [[Lebanese University]]
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}}
}}


'''Hassan Abdullah Hamdan''' ([[Arabic]]: حسن عبد الله حمدان), more commonly known by his pseudonym '''Mahdi 'Amel''' (Arabic: مهدي عامل), was an Arab [[Marxism|Marxist]] intellectual and militant in the second half of the 20th century. Mahdi was one of the most influential Marxist thinkers in the Arab world during his time; his work remains both influential and respected.<ref name="realnews">http://www.therealnews.com/t2/component/content/article/132-more-blog-posts-from-vijay-prashad/1998-the-arab-gramsci therealnews.com</ref>
'''Hassan Abdullah Hamdan''' ([[Arabic]]: حسن عبد الله حمدان), more commonly known by his pseudonym '''Mahdi 'Amel''' (Arabic: مهدي عامل), ([[Harouf]], Lebanon 1936 – [[Beirut]], Lebanon 18 May 1987) was a Lebanese [[Marxism|Marxist]] philosopher, [[historian]] and militant in the second half of the 20th century.


⚫
'Amel was a professor of philosophy at the [[Lebanese University]] in [[Beirut]], and a prominent member of both the [[Lebanese Communist Party]] and the Union of Lebanese Writers. He also contributed to the magazine ''al-Tariq'', the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party.<ref name="jadaliyyah">http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/7672/hassan-hamdan-mahdi-%60amel_a-profile-from-the-archi jadaliyyah.com</ref>
The pseudonym, Mahdi Amel, comes from [[Jabal Amel]], a predominantly [[Shia Islam|Shiite]] mountainous region in [[southern Lebanon]].<ref name="realnews"/>


⚫
'Amel was assassinated at the age of 51, amidst the violence and chaos of the Lebanese civil war (1975–1990).
⚫
'Amil was a professor of philosophy at the [[Lebanese University]] in [[Beirut]], and a prominent member of both the [[Lebanese Communist Party]] and the Union of Lebanese Writers. He also contributed to the magazine ''al-Tariq'', the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party.<ref name="jadaliyyah">http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/7672/hassan-hamdan-mahdi-%60amel_a-profile-from-the-archi jadaliyyah.com</ref>

⚫
'Amil was assassinated at the age of 51, amidst the violence and chaos of the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). There is little evidence indicating who murdered him.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Mahdi was born in 1936 in [[Harouf]], close to the southern Lebanese city of [[Nabatieh]]. His parents moved him and his siblings to Beirut shortly afterwards. In Beirut, Mahdi attended high school at the al-Maqasid School. In 1956, Mahdi began his university studies in [[France]], eventually receiving a [[PhD]] in [[Philosophy]] from the [[University of Lyon]]. Afertwards, Mahdi began his active involvement with the Lebanese Communist Party, joining in 1960.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/> While in France, he also participated in a secretive group of Arab communists.<ref name="realnews"/> As his scholarship demonstrates, Mahdi possessed much more command of Marxist theory than most other Arab political activists at the time.
Mahdi was born to a [[Lebanese Shia Muslims|Shia Muslim]] family in 1936 in [[Harouf]], close to the southern Lebanese city of [[Nabatieh]]. His parents moved him and his siblings to Beirut shortly afterwards. In Beirut, Mahdi attended high school at the al-Maqasid School. In 1956, Mahdi began his university studies in [[France]], eventually receiving a [[PhD]] in [[Philosophy]] from the [[University of Lyon]]. Afterwards, Mahdi began his active involvement with the Lebanese Communist Party, joining in 1960.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>


==Algeria==
==Algeria==
In 1963, Mahdi moved to the newly independent [[Algeria]] with his wife, Evelyne Brun.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/> She taught French, while he taught classes in the city of Constantine on Franz Fanon, who had recently passed. During this time, Mahdi wrote several articles for the publication ''Revolution Africaine'', the first of which was about Franz Fanon.<ref name="realnews"/>
In 1963, Mahdi moved to the newly independent [[Algeria]] with his wife, Evelyne Brun.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>

Mahdi lived in Algeria for 13 years of his relatively short life (1963 to 1976). During this time, the Lebanese Communist Party had gained considerable momentum within Lebanon, operating increasingly more freely between 1970 and 1975. The number of workers strikes increased, students became more involved, and the party managed to get 50,000 people to protest against the privatization of education. This improving situation for the Communist Party in Lebanon likely encouraged Mahdi's return.<ref name="realnews"/>


==Return to Lebanon and the Communist Party==
==Return to Lebanon and the Communist Party==
Upon returning to Lebanon in 1976, Mahdi began work as a teacher at a high school for girls. Later on, he changed jobs to become a full-time professor at the Institute of Social Sciences at the Lebanese University. There, he taught philosophy, politics, and methodologies.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>
Upon returning to Lebanon in 1968, Mahdi began work as a teacher at a high school for girls. Later on, he changed jobs to become a full-time professor at the Institute of Social Sciences at the Lebanese University. There, he taught philosophy, politics, and methodologies.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>


At this time, Mahdi also began contributing to ''al-Tariq'', the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party. For the articles he wrote for this magazine, Mahdi began using the pseudonym by which he is now most commonly known (Mahdi 'Amel).<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>
At this time, Mahdi began contributing to ''[[al-Tariq (journal)|al-Tariq]]'', the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party. For the articles he wrote for this magazine, Mahdi began using the pseudonym by which he is now most commonly known (Mahdi 'Amel).<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>


Mahdi traveled a great deal within Lebanon to deliver lectures on [[Marxism]] and to discuss pressing issues with farmers around the country<ref name="jadaliyyah"/> – especially tobacco farmers. As a result, Mahdi earned much respect from Lebanon's rural working class population.<ref name="realnews"/>
Mahdi traveled widely within Lebanon to deliver lectures on [[Marxism]] and to discuss pressing issues with farmers around the country.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>


Mahdi moved up the ranks of the Lebanese Communist Party, eventually becoming a member of the Central Committee in the Fifth Convention, which took place in 1987.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>
Mahdi moved up the ranks of the Lebanese Communist Party, eventually becoming a member of the Central Committee in the Fifth Convention, which took place in 1987.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>

==Personal life==
Mahdi Amel was married to Evelyne Brun. He had three children, Karim, Yasmine and Rida.

He was a [[Shia islam|Shia Muslim]].


==Death==
==Death==
Mahdi 'Amel was assassinated on May 18, 1987 at the age of 51.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/> Amel was walking on Algeria street when two men called his name. As he turned around, the men shot him. He died later that day at the [[American University of Beirut]]'s hospital. There is not much evidence as to who killed him, some says the Islamic Jihad member [[Imad Mughniyah]] was behind his assassination.
Mahdi 'Amel was assassinated on May 18, 1987, at the age of 51.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/> Amel was walking on Algeria street when two men called his name. As he turned around, the men shot him. He died later that day at the [[American University of Beirut]]'s hospital.<ref name="jadaliyyah"/>


==Works==
==Works==
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===Notable works===
===Notable works===
Among Mahdi's notable scholarly work, his criticism of [[Edward Said]]'s ''[[Orientalism]]'' on account of its misreading of Marx's work has gained considerable respect.<ref>http://www.aljadid.com/content/beirut-hosts-conference-edward-said aljadid.com</ref>
Among Mahdi's notable scholarly work, his criticism of [[Edward Said]]'s ''[[Orientalism (book)|Orientalism]]'' on account of its misreading of Marx's work has gained considerable respect.<ref>http://www.aljadid.com/content/beirut-hosts-conference-edward-said aljadid.com</ref>
*''Theoretical Introductions to Study the influence of Socialism on the National Liberation Movement.''
*''Theoretical Introductions to Study the influence of Socialism on the National Liberation Movement.''
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*''In the Scientific Nature of Ibn Khaldun's School of Thought.''
*''In the Scientific Nature of Ibn Khaldun's School of Thought.''
*''Introduction to the Critique of Sectarianism in the Sectarian State.''
*''Introduction to the Critique of Sectarianism in the Sectarian State.''
*''[https://brill.com/view/title/56007 Arab Marxism and National Liberation: Selected Writings.]''


===Poetry===
===Poetry===
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[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:Arab communists]]
[[Category:Lebanese communists]]
[[Category:Lebanese Shia Muslims]]
[[Category:Lebanese Shia Muslims]]
[[Category:Lebanese journalists]]
[[Category:Lebanese journalists]]
[[Category:Lebanese University faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Lebanese University]]
[[Category:Lebanese male poets]]
[[Category:Lebanese male poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Lebanese poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Lebanese poets]]
[[Category:Arab Philosophers]]
[[Category:Lebanese philosophers]]
[[Category:Lebanese Communist Party politicians]]
[[Category:People from Nabatieh District]]
[[Category:Islamic philosophers]]
[[Category:People of the Lebanese Civil War]]
[[Category:University of Lyon alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century journalists]]
[[Category:20th-century philosophers]]
[[Category:Muslim socialists]]
[[Category:Assassinated Lebanese politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Lebanese politicians]]
[[Category:Asian politicians assassinated in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in 1987]]

Latest revision as of 18:31, 27 May 2024

Mahdi 'Amel
Born
Hassan Abdullah Hamdan

1936 (1936)
Harouf, Lebanon
DiedMay 18, 1987 (aged 50–51)
Beirut, Lebanon
Cause of deathAssassinated
Other namesHilal Bin Zaytoun
Alma materUniversity of Lyon
Notable workMarx in Edward Said's Orientalism
Era20th-century philosophy
RegionMiddle Eastern philosophy
InstitutionsLebanese University
Main interests
Philosophy, Education, Marxism, Colonialism

Hassan Abdullah Hamdan (Arabic: حسن عبد الله حمدان), more commonly known by his pseudonym Mahdi 'Amel (Arabic: مهدي عامل), (Harouf, Lebanon 1936 – Beirut, Lebanon 18 May 1987) was a Lebanese Marxist philosopher, historian and militant in the second half of the 20th century.

'Amel was a professor of philosophy at the Lebanese University in Beirut, and a prominent member of both the Lebanese Communist Party and the Union of Lebanese Writers. He also contributed to the magazine al-Tariq, the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party.[1]

'Amel was assassinated at the age of 51, amidst the violence and chaos of the Lebanese civil war (1975–1990).

Early life

[edit]

Mahdi was born to a Shia Muslim family in 1936 in Harouf, close to the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh. His parents moved him and his siblings to Beirut shortly afterwards. In Beirut, Mahdi attended high school at the al-Maqasid School. In 1956, Mahdi began his university studies in France, eventually receiving a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Lyon. Afterwards, Mahdi began his active involvement with the Lebanese Communist Party, joining in 1960.[1]

Algeria

[edit]

In 1963, Mahdi moved to the newly independent Algeria with his wife, Evelyne Brun.[1]

Return to Lebanon and the Communist Party

[edit]

Upon returning to Lebanon in 1968, Mahdi began work as a teacher at a high school for girls. Later on, he changed jobs to become a full-time professor at the Institute of Social Sciences at the Lebanese University. There, he taught philosophy, politics, and methodologies.[1]

At this time, Mahdi began contributing to al-Tariq, the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Communist Party. For the articles he wrote for this magazine, Mahdi began using the pseudonym by which he is now most commonly known (Mahdi 'Amel).[1]

Mahdi traveled widely within Lebanon to deliver lectures on Marxism and to discuss pressing issues with farmers around the country.[1]

Mahdi moved up the ranks of the Lebanese Communist Party, eventually becoming a member of the Central Committee in the Fifth Convention, which took place in 1987.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Mahdi Amel was married to Evelyne Brun. He had three children, Karim, Yasmine and Rida.

He was a Shia Muslim.

Death

[edit]

Mahdi 'Amel was assassinated on May 18, 1987, at the age of 51.[1] Amel was walking on Algeria street when two men called his name. As he turned around, the men shot him. He died later that day at the American University of Beirut's hospital.[1]

Works

[edit]

In 1991, a collection of his work from the period between 1968 and 1973 was published as In Issues of Teaching and Educational Policies. In this collection, Mahdi describes how Lebanon's education system reproduces sectarianism and undermines overall education.[1]

Notable works

[edit]

Among Mahdi's notable scholarly work, his criticism of Edward Said's Orientalism on account of its misreading of Marx's work has gained considerable respect.[2]

  • Theoretical Introductions to Study the influence of Socialism on the National Liberation Movement.
  • Conflict of Arab Civilization or Conflict of Arab bourgeoisie?
  • Theory in Political Practice: Research in the Causes of the Lebanese Civil War.
  • Introduction to Critique of Sectarianism: The Palestinian Cause in the Ideology of the Lebanese Bourgeoisie.
  • Marx in Edward Said's Orientalism: Intelligence for the West and Passion for the East?
  • In the Scientific Nature of Ibn Khaldun's School of Thought.
  • Introduction to the Critique of Sectarianism in the Sectarian State.
  • Arab Marxism and National Liberation: Selected Writings.

Poetry

[edit]

On top of political activism and articles on Marxism, Mahdi also authored poems, which he signed under the name Hilal Bin Zaytoun.[1]

  • Time Improvisations
  • The Space of N

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/7672/hassan-hamdan-mahdi-%60amel_a-profile-from-the-archi jadaliyyah.com
  2. ^ http://www.aljadid.com/content/beirut-hosts-conference-edward-said aljadid.com
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