Ansar

[an-sahr]

noun

(sometimes lowercase)

1. the first inhabitants of Medina to accept Islam.

2. any of those who helped Muhammad after he began his preaching.

Other Word Forms

• Ansarian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ansar¹

< Arabic anṣār, plural of nāṣir helper

Example Sentences

However, a lesser- known Sunni extremist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, has said it was behind the attack – though government officials say they do not operate independently of IS.

From BBC

Many of these smaller factions, including independent jihadist groups like Ansar al-Islam and Ansar al-Tawhid, actively participated in the latest offensive, which highlights their potential vested interest in shaping the future of the new Syria.

From BBC

Ansar Dine was one of several Islamist militant groups to exploit an ethnic Tuareg uprising to take over cities in northern Mali.

From BBC

Prosecutors said al-Hassan ag Abdoul Aziz ag Mohamed ag Mahmoud led a "reign of terror" in the city after it was overrun in 2012 by the al-Qaeda-linked Ansar Dine group.

From BBC

The TTP said an account run by Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis, had also seemingly paid for its blue check mark.

From BBC