BEIRUT: The displacement of Christians from the Middle East must not be allowed to continue, Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian said Tuesday during an official visit to the United Kingdom. “Islam is a unified religion, there’s no Sunni or Shiite,” Derian said during a reception at the al-Khoei Foundation in the U.K., adding that the religion calls for unity and rejects strife.
“Christians are our partners ... and those mistreating them [are] mistreating all Muslims,” he continued. “We will not allow their displacement from Arab countries.”
Moderate Muslims have been outspoken in denouncing the rise of Islamist extremist groups, particularly ISIS, and have worked to strengthen their own relationships with other religions.
Christians and other minority groups have suffered persecution and displacement at the hands of extremists in Iraq and Syria.
During a visit to the St. Philip’s Center in Leicester, Derian reiterated the importance of promoting unity between Muslims and Christians and rejecting extremism.
The center engages in efforts to strengthen the local community and foster communication between its various religious constituents. Derian, who arrived in the U.K. Monday, encouraged youth at the center to continue their work.
At a reception held by Lebanese Ambassador Inaam Osseiran, Derian said: “We are facing a fierce campaign against Islam from terrorist groups.” He added that such groups were distorting the image of Islam in order to create strife.
“They will not succeed, as wise Muslims and Christians are aware of what’s being plotted against them by these mercenaries, who want to destabilize their coexistence across the world ... We can’t imagine the Middle East without Christians.”
Derian also used his visit to urge Lebanon to elect a president to end its nearly yearlong interregnum.
“Do not link Lebanon’s presidential election to other developments,” he warned.
“The Lebanese are fed up with these attempts ... it’s as if the call for elections has become a routine formality. Delays aren’t in anyone’s interest; rather, they [hurt] everybody,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment