lebanon’s Grand Mufti: Today we close the chapter of the past

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the Grand Mufti DerianLebanese officials arrived at Lebanon’s top Sunni religious institution, the Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut  Sunday to elect the  Higher Islamic Council that would manage the body’s affairs.

Local elections were  also  held across Lebanon to choose officials that would represent their communities in the council.

The elections also  come nine months after the election of Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian, ending over a year of disputes that marred the functions of the council.

Derian stressed that the past page had been turned, highlighting that the elections are independent from all political interventions.

“Today we close the chapter of the past and look forward to the future.” Derian said

“Today marks the beginning of reform at our institutions.” He added

“The electoral bodies in Beirut and all constituencies today are working to reconstruct the house’s interior back to the right foundations.” Derian continued.

“No one is allowed to interfere in [the elections] for the interest of a political side,” Derian said, adding that even he, despite being the official head of the council, will not intervene and will keep “the same distance from everyone.”

 

Prime Minister Tammam Salam who attended the event  told reporters before entering the election hall in Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut:

“There is a climate of consensus and a shared will to elect a new Higher Islamic Council… and this is something we badly need,” .

“The Higher Islamic Council’s members guarantee Lebanon’s stability, safety and progress.”

Salam, praised Derian  for the “moderation” he has shown in his recent positions and actions.

Salam said: “We fear for the fate of moderation and centrism in Lebanon as we depend on them in our political practices.”

 

The council, set up in 1930 and chaired by the Grand Mufti, supervises the financial and administrative affairs of the institutions of Dar al-Fatwa.

112 electors out of a total of 126 attended the event Sunday. Balloting closed at 1 p.m.

The Grand Mufti announced the results of the elections Sunday evening

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2 responses to “lebanon’s Grand Mufti: Today we close the chapter of the past”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    Wow … somebody got to vote on something. Amazing. And now everyone can go back to the jobs they used to have ?? Because there is “stability, safety and progress”. Wonderful.
    And maybe the poor can get some food too … it’s not coming from the ‘UNICEF’ and other AID agencies.
    (Unless one is Syrian ….)

  2. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    ” independent from all political interventions.” ///
    Master Of The House /// For all ‘Les Miserables’ …. a few verses only.

    Master of the house, doling out the charm
    Ready with a handshake and an open palm
    Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
    Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
    Glad to do a friend a favor
    Doesn’t cost me to be nice
    But nothing gets you nothing
    Everything has got a little price!

    Master of the house, keeper of the zoo
    Ready to relieve ’em of a sou or two
    Watering the wine, making up the weight
    Pickin’ up their knick-knacks when they can’t see straight
    Everybody loves a landlord
    Everybody’s bosom friend
    I do whatever pleases
    Jesus! Won’t I bleed ’em in the end!

    Master of the house, quick to catch yer eye
    Never wants a passerby to pass him by
    Servant to the poor, butler to the great
    Comforter, philosopher, and lifelong mate!
    Everybody’s boon companion
    Everybody’s chaperone
    But lock up your valises
    Jesus! Won’t I skin you to the bone!

    Charge ’em for the lice, extra for the mice
    Two percent for looking in the mirror twice
    Here a little slice, there a little cut
    Three percent for sleeping with the window shut
    When it comes to fixing prices
    There are a lot of tricks I knows
    How it all increases, all them bits and pieces
    Jesus! It’s amazing how it grows!

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