LEBANON: Moderation vs. extremism tops new grand mufti’s agenda





LEBANON: Moderation vs. extremism tops new grand mufti’s agenda

Sep. 17, 2014

BEIRUT: Moderation and sound Islamic teaching are necessary to fight terrorism, Lebanon’s new Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian said Tuesday during his inauguration which brought together religious figures and politicians of various sects and political parties.

“It is not true that moderation implies weakness,” the grand mufti said, addressing a crowded assembly hall in the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in Downtown Beirut. “But it is true that it is a hard choice to make in the face of extremism.”

Building on the strength of moderation, the grand mufti acknowledged the challenges posed by extremist groups who use the guise of Islam to justify their hard-line agendas.

“We have a great responsibility with regards to the religious devices [we use],” Derian said, stressing that religious education should be “proactive in protecting the people rather than justifying murder.”

About 1,500 people flocked to the Rafik Hariri assembly hall in the al-Amin Mosque for the inauguration ceremony which started at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Quoting the Quran, Derian said that “all crimes could be followed by reconciliation and truce” save for the crimes of “killing in the name of religion” and “exile.”

“These two horrendous crimes are occurring all over the Arab [world] and involve all classes of people,” he added.

The attendees included prominent political figures like former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, alongside the spiritual heads of the Druze, Shiite, Sunni and Maronite sects.

In a sign of regional support Shawki Allam, the grand mufti of Egypt, also attended the ceremony alongside a Saudi Arabian representative who delivered a speech on behalf of the king.

Shifting to internal politics, the grand mufti said Lebanon’s protracted presidential vacuum and the hostage crisis were both the result of a lack of political consensus.

“There is an absence of agreement over the protection of the state’s borders and reinforcing the country’s prestige” he said.

Dar al-Fatwa will continue to work for civil and national peace, said the grand mufti, who added that the rhetoric of the Quran emphasized peace and moderation.

Derian announced his commitment to Muslim-Christian coexistence and the Taif Accord, the treaty which ended Lebanon’s Civil War.

“Lebanon will not fall into sectarian strife, the danger will lessen and Lebanese blood will not be wasted,” Derian said. “We will work with all Lebanese with determination and insist on safeguarding the nation and its institutions.”

Derian was elected Lebanon’s grand mufti early last month, with around 80 percent of votes.

Derian’s election came after Egypt and Saudi Arabia brokered a deal between Qabbani and the Future Movement, ending three years of tension at Dar al-Fatwa, which had resulted in dueling Higher Islamic Councils.

For his part, Prime Minister Tammam Salam welcomed the newly elected grand mufti, expressing hopes that Derian’s election would revitalize Dar al-Fatwa’s role in the country.

“Today’s inauguration marks a new era in Dar al-Fatwa” Salam said to a crowded assembly hall.

The prime minister warned that Dar al-Fatwa would face several challenges “especially with respect to internal organization and its role in Islamic affairs.”

The prime minister stressed the importance of rehabilitating Dar al-Fatwa in order to breed moderation and forgiveness in light of the rampant extremism in the region.

It is Dar al-Fatwa’s role to guide the public against extremism and “spread the values of forgiveness, centrism and moderation,” he said.

Islam is being assaulted by takfiri terrorism, Salam said, arguing that extremism manipulates the “ignorant and weak minded” population in the name of the religion

“The biggest responsibility over combatting takfiri thinking ... falls on Dar al-Fatwa and all religious institutions” the prime minister said.

Salam called on the grand mufti to continue Dar al-Fatwa’s historic role, with respect to strengthening unity within the Sunni front, forming closer ties with other Muslim sects and maintaining progressive Christian-Muslim dialogue. Hinting at heightened tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon, Salam said that “the relationship between Islamic sects is not at its best.”

Political turmoil has seeped into religion, Salam said, citing sectarian linked kidnappings in the Bekaa Valley as an example.

Salam called on Dar al-Fatwa to make it a “priority” to ease sectarian tensions, urging the grand mufti to “draw a road map” for such an aim.


 














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