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Saudi envoy: Dar al-Fatwa is in decline
January 27, 2014 12:19 AM
By Wassim Mroueh
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri slammed Dar al-Fatwa Sunday, saying the functions of Lebanon’s top Sunni religious authority have deteriorated and it no longer represents the voice of moderation. Speaking to a local radio station, Asiri held external powers responsible for what was happening in Dar al-Fatwa. “Where is Dar al-Fatwa? Who ruined Dar al-Fatwa after it was considered to be the moderate voice of Lebanon?” Asiri asked.
He said Dar al-Fatwa should play a role in combating extremism.
“Religious rhetoric is important and deviant ideology can only be fought with an enlightened ideology; that’s why we say weakening Dar al-Fatwa will not serve Lebanon,” said Asiri, who has been living outside Lebanon for several months. “We know who is conspiring against Dar al-Fatwa and who tried to debilitate its religious and spiritual functions.”
Asiri said the scale and influence of Dar al-Fatwa’s performance in Lebanon should be similar to that of Bkirki, the seat of the Maronite patriarchate. “We know that the performance of Dar al-Fatwa today is no longer like what it was in the past,” he said, adding that the body should serve as a civilized Sunni center.
While noting that Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani was “good and qualified,” the Saudi diplomat said that the institution of Dar al-Fatwa should not be affiliated with any group.
Saudi envoy: Dar al-Fatwa is in decline | News , Lebanon News | THE DAILY STAR
January 27, 2014 12:19 AM
By Wassim Mroueh
The Daily Star
BEIRUT: Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awad Asiri slammed Dar al-Fatwa Sunday, saying the functions of Lebanon’s top Sunni religious authority have deteriorated and it no longer represents the voice of moderation. Speaking to a local radio station, Asiri held external powers responsible for what was happening in Dar al-Fatwa. “Where is Dar al-Fatwa? Who ruined Dar al-Fatwa after it was considered to be the moderate voice of Lebanon?” Asiri asked.
He said Dar al-Fatwa should play a role in combating extremism.
“Religious rhetoric is important and deviant ideology can only be fought with an enlightened ideology; that’s why we say weakening Dar al-Fatwa will not serve Lebanon,” said Asiri, who has been living outside Lebanon for several months. “We know who is conspiring against Dar al-Fatwa and who tried to debilitate its religious and spiritual functions.”
Asiri said the scale and influence of Dar al-Fatwa’s performance in Lebanon should be similar to that of Bkirki, the seat of the Maronite patriarchate. “We know that the performance of Dar al-Fatwa today is no longer like what it was in the past,” he said, adding that the body should serve as a civilized Sunni center.
While noting that Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani was “good and qualified,” the Saudi diplomat said that the institution of Dar al-Fatwa should not be affiliated with any group.
Saudi envoy: Dar al-Fatwa is in decline | News , Lebanon News | THE DAILY STAR
