Indoctrination under the guise of social activity. Hezbollah continues to use religious ceremonies and cultural events within the Shiite community to disseminate the organization’s messages and ideology, as well as those of Iran. This week, the Shiite community in Lebanon marked the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi, a central messianic figure in Shiite belief, through large-scale events, most of which were organized by Hezbollah and its affiliated bodies, foremost among them the “Jihad al-Binaa Groups” and the “Imam al-Mahdi Scouts.” The events emphasized the link between belief in the Hidden Imam and the “path of resistance,” the memory of the martyrs, and loyalty to Hezbollah’s leadership. At some of the ceremonies, senior figures identified with Hezbollah delivered speeches that connected anticipation of “redemption” with the continuation of the struggle and social cohesion in the face of security and economic challenges. Alongside the ceremonial events, Hezbollah organized activities of a civilian and social nature, including a free health day in the Hayy al-Sallom neighborhood in Beirut, which provided medical examinations, medications, and healthcare services to residents, illustrating the organization’s function as a practical substitute for the state. Religious and social events regularly serve as opportunities for Hezbollah to carry out indoctrination, strengthen the Shiite identity of its base, and consolidate the organization’s public legitimacy.
