Libya Declaration of Jamahiriya Day

Libya Declaration of Jamahiriya Day (Declaration of the People's Authority Day)

March 2On March 2, Libyans celebrate Declaration of Jamahiriya Day, also known as Declaration of the People's Authority Day . In observance of this public holiday, schools and businesses are closed throughout the country. Citizens attend speeches and rallies in honor of the founding of the Jamahiriya, which has no official translation. The term, which is derived from the Arab word for republic, roughly means "state of the masses," "people's authority," or "people's power."
The term Jamahiriya was created by Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, who defined it as a "state run by the people without a government" and characterized it as a political advancement for all humankind. This political philosophy is sometimes termed the Third Universal Theory and is an amalgamation of socialism and Islam. On September 1, 1969, Qaddafi staged a coup d'État, overthrowing the Libyan monarchy and establishing a socialist, Islamic republic. Upon taking power he changed the name of the country to the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. In theory, under Jamahiriya, Libya would be ruled by the people themselves through local councils. In practice, however, Libya is governed by an authoritarian state.
CONTACTS:
Embassy of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
2600 Virginia Ave. N.W., Ste. 705
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-944-9601; fax: 202-944-9606
www.libyanbureau-dc.org