hassan 'abd allah al-turabi (c.1932 – 5 march 2016) was a sudanese religious and islamist political leader in sudan. he has been called "one of the most important figures in modern sudanese politics". he was born in kassala, sudan. al-turabi was leader of what was called the national islamic front (nif). he served as speaker of the national assembly serving from 1996 through 1999. he later served as secretary general of the popular congress party from 1999 until his death in 2016.