BEIRUT: Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian urged Lebanese Muslims Friday to stand united in the face of extremism and uphold moderate principles. “As [true] Lebanese, our aim should be for a united nation, a unified state, a united Army and coexistence. I call on all Lebanese to stick to their nation and their state regardless of what it takes,” the grand mufti said in a speech marking Islamic New Year, which began Saturday.
He stressed that attempts to undermine the nation would be overcome if people were loyal to state institutions and if the role of moderate Sunnis in state administration were restored.
Derian said the marginalization of Sunni leadership after Feb. 14, 2005, the date Future Movement founder and former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed, had wrought havoc in Lebanon to this day.
“The Taif Accord ended the Civil War, after which the Lebanese were wholly engaged in rebuilding the state, but since 2005, we have witnessed consistent attempts being made to undermine the state, costing the Lebanese a lot of sweat and blood,” Derian said.
He warned that Lebanon, which “could not be partitioned” during 15 years of Civil War, “is being threatened with destruction through the dissemination of extremist ideology and the marginalization of [Sunni] Muslims in public affairs.”
Lebanon has seen numerous car bombs and attacks since Hariri’s assassination. Episodes of violence in the country have persisted; as recently as August, clashes erupted in the northeastern town of Arsal between the Lebanese Army and Islamist militants from ISIS and the Nusra Front. The militants are still holding hostage 27 servicemen they captured during the battles.
“On the occasion of the holy Islamic New Year, I urge all Muslim and true believers to learn from the [teachings] of the Prophet on how to confront extremism that seeks to exterminate people and displace them from their home, land and nation,” Derian added.
Also marking the New Year, Sidon MP Bahia Hariri stressed the need for Muslim unity and understanding, in a statement issued for the occasion.
“[I hope] this New Year will carry with it security and stability for Lebanon,” the statement said.
Hariri also expressed hopes that several key domestic and regional issues would be resolved soon, including the election of a new president, the release of the captured servicemen and the liberation of Palestinians from Israeli occupation.
Nazek Hariri, the widow of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, echoed similar sentiments.
“Everyone in Lebanon should take the responsibility to spare the country strife, and avoid incitement and political polarization,” Hariri said in a statement to mark the start of the new Islamic year.
Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Naim Hasan also congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Islamic New Year, and highlighted the need for guidance from God to fight strife and division.
“This dangerous phase in the region calls on Muslims to [stand strong] today more than ever,” he said. “It calls on all religions and sects to unite in the face of danger.”
Shiite scholar Sayyed Ali Fadlallah voiced hopes that Muslims would not repeat the same mistakes of the previous year.
“The Prophet wanted us to say our farewells to the passing year and welcome the new one. He wanted us to hold ourselves accountable [for the things we did] to not repeat the same mistakes,” Fadlallah said during Friday’s sermon.
For his part, Lebanon’s Shiite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan called on Muslims to unite against potential strife.
“Muslims during this Islamic New Year should follow God and no one else,” he said. “[Muslims] should get closer to God through their unity and not division.”
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