The head of the Libyan Journalists’ Syndicate, Mansour Al-Ahresh, has revealed that armed men abducted academic scholar Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Al-Najar, who holds a PhD in Islamic jurisprudence from the Islamic University of Madinah.
According to Al-Ahresh, Dr. Al-Najar was kidnapped shortly after delivering a lecture in which he discussed a number of interpretations by cleric Al-Sadiq Al-Gharyani, describing some of them as “intellectual deviations.” During the lecture, he reportedly called for the rejection of violence and division within Libyan society.
The circumstances surrounding the abduction remain unclear, and no group has yet claimed responsibility. Al-Ahresh condemned the incident, stressing the need to protect freedom of expression and academic discourse in Libya.
The incident has sparked concern among academics and civil society groups, who warn that such acts of intimidation threaten the country’s fragile environment for free thought and dialogue.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
