Al-Rafehi Elected Head of Muslim Scholars Committee after Jdeideh's Resignation

The Muslim Scholars Committee on Wednesday elected Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi as its new chief following the resignation of Sheikh Malek Jdeideh, who said he stepped down over "political feuds" and revealed that he intends to form a new committee.

"Al-Rafehi was unanimously elected as the committee's new chief for a six-month period," state-run National News Agency reported.

During an evening meeting, the committee's executive bureau "discussed Sheikh Malek Jdeideh's resignation and decided to accept it," the scholars said in a statement.

The conferees also "condemned" the statement issued by Jdeideh earlier in the day.

Jdeideh had noted that the Muslim Scholars Committee was formed because “some scholars were seeking to form a gathering, especially amid the absent role of the Dar al-Fatwa religious authority, which was preoccupied with a rift with some political figures.”

Jdeideh revealed that Dar al-Fatwa is in the process of forming a committee that gathers all Muslim associations to end extortion by some groups and figures.

He lashed out at sides that he didn't name in his statement, accusing them of using the Scholars Committee to gain money under the pretext of helping Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the Syrian revolution.

“Those people traveled often to Gulf countries to collect money.”

The Sheikh also lashed out at Salafists and the Jamaa Islamiya, accusing them of trying to control the Muslim Scholars Committee and its rhetoric.

“We assumed the Scholars Committee was formed at the beginning to bridge the gap between Muslims, but it was an attempt to divide gains and powers between Salafists and the Jamaa Islamiya,” he added.

H.K./Y.R.