The Lebanese Hezbollah party recently opened several supermarkets in the districts of Beirut in which it is influential, as well as in the Bekaa and the south of the country.

This approach comes in a context of acute economic, social and political crisis in Lebanon, where many food products are now overpriced, when they simply cannot be found.

A way for the pro-Iranian movement to contain the anger of its public, faced with the crisis and inflation, just like the rest of the Lebanese.

Named "Al-Sajjad", in reference to Imam Ali Al-Sajjad, a figure of Shiite Islam known for his generosity, this supermarket chain sells Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian products, according to a party official. who requested anonymity.

"To be able to shop in these supermarkets, you have to obtain a card issued by Hezbollah, he explains. The people eligible for the Al-Sajjad card are those who earn less than 1,500,000 Lebanese pounds. per month [around 105 euros on the black market, editor's note] ", he adds.

In Lebanon, more than half of the population today lives below the poverty line and the national currency has lost more than 80% of its value.

#Hezbollah is starting a chain of supermarkets named "Al-Sajjad" which provides products with minimal costs as to help the Lebanese people overcome the severe economical crisis accompanied by currency collapse, and insane increase in prices #Lebanon is witnessing.

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- Sara_Haj 🇱🇧 (@Sara_Haj) April 6, 2021

"All those in need can shop with us, regardless of their religious affiliation and even if they are not part of Hezbollah supporters," said the official.

But for now, most of the customer base is from the Shiite community and this supermarket chain is not without raising many questions.

For many months, Hezbollah has been suspected of facilitating the smuggling of several food products to Syria, including sugar and flour, thus helping to empty the shelves and deprive the Lebanese of the same basic products that it sells in its stores. supermarkets.

No indication has been provided by Hezbollah on the number of clients who have obtained the card, but some close to the armed movement estimate that more than 8,000 people benefit from it.

Residents solicited by members of Hezbollah

Lina *, 40, single and unemployed, is among those who shop in Al-Sajjad supermarkets.

This resident of a small village in the Bekaa says she received a visit from members of the Shiite party who offered her the card, in view of her difficult economic situation, and without her requesting it.

"These businesses look like large depots and they are always full. I was able to buy milk, rice, sugar and vegetable oil at reduced prices", rejoices Lina, who assures that she is not a member of the Hezbollah.

"Each holder of the Al-Sajjad card is entitled to a fixed quantity of products every month, including 5 kg of rice, 5 kg of sugar, 5 liters of cooking oil, 4 kg of washing powder, 3 packets of pasta, 4 cans of tuna or even 2 bottles of dishwashing liquid, ”she explains.

Special shopping card: "Al Sajjad card" designated for purchases from Hezbollah's new "Al-Nour" chain supermarket, which Hezb has opened in various Lebanese regions.

Food will be provided at reduced prices, and it will be distributed to tens of thousands of beneficiaries.

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- Marwa Osman ||

د.

مروة عثمان (@Marwa__Osman) April 13, 2021

Hassan *, a 39-year-old teacher and father of two, was also approached by Hezbollah members from his village who offered to provide him with the Al-Sajjad card.

"They only asked me for a copy of my identity card. They know who I am and trust me," said Hassan, who lives in Nabatiyé, in the south.

"We are entitled to a 35% discount for any purchase of more than a million pounds. This card will even allow us to access health care at reduced prices in the long term," he says.

"The state no longer exists ..."

"The sale of food products by Hezbollah certainly has electoral aims, but the poorest have pressing needs", analyzes for her part Maya *, 38, employed in a media close to the party. Maya did not get the Al-Sajjad card because it is not considered a priority, but she explains that many Lebanese urgently need it. "There are remote and poor areas in Lebanon that the state has not taken care of for years. The inhabitants of these regions therefore accept all the aid they can receive," she underlines.

The enthusiasm of Hezbollah supporters for this supermarket chain is not shared by everyone. Journalist Mounir Rabih warns against the danger posed by such a project, in a country where the state is increasingly failing. "Hezbollah is repeating to its audience that neither the state nor the associations will be able to help it, which is very dangerous. It just means that the state no longer exists. In this way, the Shiite party is undermining it. concept of the State in the people's unconscious ", analyzes Mounir Rabih.

According to him, this initiative is the proof of a "will of Hezbollah to maintain a certain stability within the Shiite community and to prohibit any movement of protest and revolt". "Hezbollah is always afraid of the anger of its community. It wants at all costs to avoid any outbursts of anger linked to hunger", explains the journalist.

He also reveals that the Shiite party "works for the long term because it considers that it is a crisis which will not be resolved quickly". "Hezbollah hopes to come up with a comprehensive social assistance plan, focusing in particular on the development of health care in the future," said Mounir Rabih. The latter recalls that "the Shiite party considers that it is the victim of a plot hatched against it by the United States, in order to bring it to its knees". "His answer is that his public will not go hungry and that he has his own supply circuits which pass through Iran, Syria or Iraq," he analyzes.

Adam *, a 40-year-old photographer from a Sunni village in southern Lebanon, also takes a critical look at the projects of the Shiite party.

“Hezbollah is trying to control its popular base by all means. The Al-Sajjad map reflects its institutional side and shows that this party has the means to replace the state. I even think it has already replaced it. Lebanon is now a province within the state of Hezbollah, ”laments Adam.

"Through his chain of supermarkets and his products at reduced prices, he is doing everything so that the Shiite street sees in him the only recourse in the face of the crisis," he concludes.

* The first names have been changed at the request of the interviewees.

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