Biography of Sheikh Ra’ed Salah

 

Sheikh Ra’ed Salah was born in Umm al-Fahem on 10 November 1958.  He got his baccalaureate in Islamic Studies from Hebron University in the West Bank.  Prior to entering politics, he worked independently, including serving as a member of the Editorial Board of al-Sarrat magazine.  In 1989, he was elected Mayor of Umm al-Fahem.  He got 73% of the vote, and was twice re-elected.

 

During his term as Mayor, he served as a member of the High Follow-Up Committee for the Arab Citizens of Israel, and was Vice Chair of the National Committee of Arab Mayors.

 

In the early 1980s, Sheikh Ra’ed Salah and others founded the Islamic Movement of Israel.  He served as Vice President of the movement until 1996, when he was elected President.  He is also the President of Al-Aqsa Institution for Maintaining the Islamic Sacred Places, and of the Humanitarian Relief Association.

 

He resigned as Mayor in mid-2001.