Issam al-Attar, a prominent Islamic preacher, thinker, and former observer general of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, passed away on Friday morning in the German city of Aachen. He was 97 years old. Al-Attar, revered for his unwavering support of the Syrian revolution and his lifelong commitment to Islamic advocacy, breathed his last in exile, far from the country he passionately worked to uplift.
His family confirmed his death through a statement on Facebook, expressing their grief and invoking divine mercy upon him. “Our father, Issam al-Attar, passed away tonight, May 3, 2024. May God bless him with his mercy and satisfaction,” the statement read. Al-Attar’s final will, conveyed through the obituary, implored forgiveness from his loved ones and beseeched prayers for his eternal peace.
Amer al-Bousalama, the General Comptroller of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, eulogized al-Attar, lauding his leadership during tumultuous times. “Al-Attar led the group in difficult circumstances that the country was experiencing,” al-Bousalama wrote in a tribute. “He is a prominent thinker, a distinguished reformer, and a mujahid whose spirits of sacrifice, struggle, and redemption bear witness to all the expressions of giving.”
Al-Attar’s impact extended beyond Syria’s borders, with Moaz al-Khatib, former head of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), acknowledging his enduring legacy. “Al-Attar is one of the historical leaders of the Islamic movement after a long illness, migration, and expatriation for more than sixty years,” al-Khatib tweeted.
Condolences also flowed from the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) Department of Political Affairs, extending sympathy to the Syrian people and Al-Attar’s family. “The Department of Political Affairs extends its condolences and sympathy to the Syrian people and the family of the Syrian preacher and thinker Issam Al-Attar, asking God for mercy and forgiveness for him.”
Abdul Rahim Attoun, a prominent scholar of Hayat Tahrir Sham, added his heartfelt condolences, recognizing Al-Attar’s profound impact on Syria’s Islamic movement. “May God have mercy on the exiled Mujahid preacher Sheikh Issam Al-Attar and grant him good fortune, accept him in the highest heavens, and place him in the homes of the righteous and pure,” Attoun expressed. “His death represents a blemish in our memory and conscience, and losing the likes of him is not the same as losing anyone else.”
Born in Damascus in 1927, Al-Attar’s journey into activism began early, influenced by his father, the jurist Muhammad Reda al-Attar, and his association with the Youth of Muhammad. Following his criticism of the Syrian regime in the 1950s, he was exiled to Egypt, where he engaged with prominent figures such as Sayyid Qutb. Despite adversities, Al-Attar remained steadfast, assuming leadership roles within the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood.
Denied re-entry into Syria in 1963, Al-Attar sought refuge in Europe, eventually settling in Germany. There, he continued his advocacy work, leading the Talaa’i organization and advising the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood. Throughout his life, he advocated for non-violence and unity, even amid the Syrian revolution.
Al-Attar’s personal life bore the scars of political turmoil: his wife, Binan, was the victim of an assassination attempt by the Assad regime’s death squads in Germany in 1981. Despite the adversities, Al-Attar remained resolute in his convictions, prioritizing national development and unity.
As condolences pour in from across the globe, al-Attar’s legacy endures as a beacon of resilience and commitment to justice, leaving an indelible mark on Syria’s tumultuous history.
