'Irreplaceable' Jordanian opposition figure Laith Shubeilat dies aged 80

Jordanian Islamist politician and opposition figure Laith Shubeilat has passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home in Amman.

The 80-year-old, who was known for his pro-Palestine stance, was held in high regard by many. His supporters mourned his passing on social media, with one paying tribute to his "sincerity… boldness and courage".

Shubeilat entered the Jordanian House of Representatives as a member both in 1984 and 1989, but was later imprisoned in the country multiple times under accusations of working against and criticising the state, and plotting a coup, according to The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

"May God have mercy on the engineer Laith Shubailat. He was an honest courageous and loyal man to his country. He endured a lot of abuse and did not change his line or sell his positions," Hadeel Aziz, founding member of the Jordanian Justice Center for Legal Aid, tweeted.

رحمة الله على المهندس ليث شبيلات كان رجلاً صادقاً وشجاعاً ومخلصاً لوطنه
تحمل الكثير من الإساءة ولم يغير خطه ولا باع مواقفه

— Hadeel A. Aziz هديل (@hadilaziz) December 18, 2022

Human rights activist and novelist Ayman al-Otoom, who said he was imprisoned with Shubeilat for three months, also mourned his loss.

"I stayed with him in prison for three months and did not find anyone more kind, loving… or humble. He lived steadfastly and left as a brave father. My condolences to his son… and the rest of his honourable family," Otoom wrote.

رحم الله المهندس ليث شبيلات رحمة واسعة.
زاملتُه في السجن ثلاثة شهور فما وجدتُ أكثر منه لطفًا ولا أكثر منه مودة لإخوانه وتواضعًا لزملائه.
عاش ثابتًا شامخًا، ورحل أبيًا شُجاعًا.
أعزّي ابنه المهندس فرحان زميلنا في دراسة الهندسة، وباقي عائلته الكريمة.
وإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون. pic.twitter.com/mykbyEfR0b

— أيمن العتوم (@AymanOtoom) December 18, 2022

Former Al Jazeera managing director Yaser Abu-Hilalah described Shubeilat as a "voice that rose in silence", saying that his "integrity" could not be disputed.

"With the departure of Laith Shubeilat from our world, Jordan has lost an irreplaceable national figure," Abu-Hilalah wrote.

Following Shubeilat's first imprisonment in 1989, the then-Jordanian King Hussein ordered his release in a gesture of appreciation for Shubeilat's service to the state.

He was also issued a royal pardon following his arrest on charges of insulting the state.

The political activist was also the first Islamist to chair the Engineers Syndicate in Jordan, according to Al-Jazeera.

Even after announcing his retirement from political work, the government critic continued to use his voice throughout the years.

Following Western media leaks earlier this year about the financial accounts of Jordanian King Abdullah II in Swiss banks, Shubeilat called for the recovery of state funds and a fight against corruption in all its forms.