World Islamic Call Society

Based in Tripoli, the World Islamic Call Society (WICS) links over 400 Muslim groups and institutions that seek to educate people about Islamic thought and culture. In addition to its global focus on proselytizing Islam, WICS is responsible for overseeing all Muslim religious activity in Libya and managing relations with the country's non-Muslims; the government bans Islamic groups that do not adhere to the officially sanctioned interpretation of Islam as presented by the WICS. Other WICS initiatives include programs for women and youth, Ramadan meal distribution, and Qur'anic memorization and imam education courses. Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddhafi established the society after disbanding the Sanusiyya Sufi order that had existed before he took power in 1969.