BEIRUT: The Kingdom rejects attempts to use Islam as a shield for political ends that foster hatred, extremism and terrorism, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Buhari said on Monday.
His remarks followed a meeting with Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian.
Derian was one of the most prominent figures of national unity in Lebanon and was keen to respect the figures and positions of all Muslims and Christians as the kingdom was entrusted with Lebanese unity, Arabism and coexistence. he added.
He also said the Kingdom supports promoting unity and reconciliation among Lebanese people.
His visit to Dar al-Fatwa coincided with criticism of statements made by Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, during his visit to Derian last week.
Amani described himself as a “Sunni Mufti” rather than his official title of “Grand Mufti of Lebanon”.
It is the first time a diplomat has made such a mistake, according to Dar Al-Fatwa sources.
The failure came at a time of heightened political tensions in Lebanon between Hezbollah and its allies, those calling for Lebanese sovereignty and Iran’s withdrawal.
The politician blamed the ambassador for his mistakes, said he had reduced Derian’s role, and said “his speech is meant to provoke strife.”
According to Lebanese law, the Grand Mufti is the direct president of all Muslim scholars and the highest standard for Muslim donations.
He will exercise all powers conferred upon him under the law and the rules of Islam.
He has also met with Mufti throughout Lebanon to research the religious and social situation of Muslims in the region and to provide necessary instruction to scholars.
Dr. Muhammad Al Samak, secretary general of the Islamic-Christian Dialogue Commission, told Arab News that the Grand Mufti was considered the first official religious reference in Lebanon.
Al-Sammak said the Iranian ambassador had corrected his mistakes but was slow to correct them and was slow to deal with the turmoil, adding that he corrected them after many political and religious figures condemned his remarks.
An Iranian diplomat declared two days after his visit to Dar al-Fatwa that Iran was “enthusiastic to maintain Islamic unity and respect all religious references.”
Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, Grand Mufti of Lebanon. (AFP)
He added: This relationship cannot be distorted by those who misunderstand what is said without considering its meaning and essence. ”
After meeting with Bukhari, Derian praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen and deepen its culture of moderation, support the issues of the Islamic and Arab worlds, and uphold justice and justice in the world.
He also noted the role Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has played in supporting Islamic and Arab affairs, as well as the special attention given to Lebanon and its security, security and He praised his dedication to ensuring stability. and Lebanese.
Lebanon’s Supreme Sharia Council held a meeting last Saturday chaired by Derian and allocated part of its statement to Saudi Crown Prince King Salman and the Gulf Cooperation Council in support of Lebanon. , called not to give it up. during that crisis.
The council said Lebanon is of Arab nationality and affiliation and will always be with his Arab brothers.
Islamic Group MP Imad Al-Hout was among those who called on the Iranian ambassador to apologize for his “intentional or unintentional mistakes”.
“Iranian diplomacy has fallen into a trap of its own actions employed to divide the Lebanese people,” said MP Mohammed Suleiman.
He said Dar al-Fatwa and its Mufti could not be subject to a split, nor could they represent only some Lebanese and Muslims.
He added: “Insofar as your actions show that you seek to divide people on the basis of religion or confession and to create discord among people of the same country, your apology is Your statement cannot be amended.
Interim Home Affairs Minister Bassam Maurawi stressed the importance of security in the difficult situation Lebanon is enduring.
He warned of prison overcrowding and lack of discipline, revealing that rigorous inspection work had been underway at the central Roumier prison building since Sunday.
He urged the inmates to be patient and the judiciary to speed up the prosecution process as mobile phones and knives were found inside the prison.
He said about 79% of prisoners had not yet been sentenced and 43% of prisoners were foreigners.
Lebanon’s prison population has tripled prison capacity, creating pressure amid a weak currency and increasing the burden on ministers, he said.
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