Lebanon grand mufti calls for religious, political reform

BEIRUT: Lebanon's grand mufti Saturday deplored crimes committed by extremist forces in the region, saying such elements knew nothing about Islam, and called for religious and political reform and better care for the youth.

“What we are witnessing today of atrocities in the name of religion is proof that those who are committing such crimes know nothing about religion,” Abdul-Latif Derian said in his Eid sermon, the first since his election, at the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in Downtown Beirut.

“We are today stuck between strife and crisis. Strife is forcing us to commit violations and carry out attacks and the crisis lies in our domestic conflict.”

“The strays and those who carry arms want people to do the same and depart from the nation.”

Derian gave his sermon in the presence of Prime Minister Tammam Salam as well as a delegation of Future lawmakers and Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Asiri.

Walking on a red carpet stretching from the entrance of the mosque to the street, Derian made his first official appearance as mufti accompanied by Salam.

In his sermon, Derian spoke of coexistence and the need for communication among the country’s various sectarian and political groups.

“Absolute equality between religions, individuals and peoples should not mean hostility but peace and unity because the latter is the source of our strength,” he said.

“Understanding religions means to coexist with other citizens of the nation and people of the world. ... Let us move be more affectionate and communicate with one another.”

The mufti, whose election ended a long simmering rift between the main Sunni political groups and Dar al-Fatwa, stressed the need for rehabilitation of political and religious institutions for coming generations.

“It is our responsibility to rehabilitate political, national and social life as well as [enact] reforms in institutions and at the level of education in terms of culture and religion,” he said.

“We are in need of reforms in religious education as well as charity organizations because these organizations are meant for everyone, not a specific group.”

“Our youths need to feel that they are cared for and that their society provides them with needed confidence and resources,” Derian said. “We are responsible for these young people and society before the security and military institutions and we should care for them so they can trust us.

“We should not leave them or neglect them while we complain of divisions.”