Islamic Summit Deplores Killing in Name of Islam: To Elect Only Christian President in Region

The Islamic Spiritual Summit condemned Tuesday assaults against Christians in the Orient on sectarian basis, calling for the election of the only Christian head of state in the region.

The summit expressed grave concern over the turbulence in the several Arab countries, which is taking racist, ideological and sectarian aspects.

“The turmoil is threatening the unity of these countries, including Lebanon, and dragging them no where near their freedom and dignity aspirations.” Mohammed al-Sammak, the secretary-general of the Islamic Spiritual Summit, said.

The summit's closing statement warned that the turmoil only serves the Israeli entity and its project.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, deputy head of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Naim Hassan and Alawite Council head Sheikh Assad Assi attended the summit, which convened in Dar al-Fatwa in Beirut.

Sammak expressed concern over the exchange of accusations between political leaders on sectarian grounds, saying: “It will only deepen the rift that the Israelis are widening and exploiting.”

He also stressed that the Palestinian cause will remain a priority.

The statement called on Muslims to “accept others who are different and respect them... the pluralism of sects shouldn't compel us to exclude others.”

Sammak also denounced “extremism,” stressing that it “contradicts Islam and its values and damages and distorts its image.”

The summit deplored the “terror behavior that is associated with extremism and hyperbole,” reaffirming the importance of maintaining the “human dignity, freedom of opinion and belief.”

It also rejected killings in the name of Islam and the “sanctity of human life.”

Sammak urged the Lebanese to respect state institutions and abide by the Constitution and its defense strategies to maintain civil peace.

The statement stressed solidarity between inter-Muslim and Muslim and Christian, renewing trust in the state to resolve its local crises.

The attendees also called for the election of a new president, who is the only Christian head of state in the region.

There are fears among religious minorities in both Syria and Iraq, who have been repeatedly targeted by the Islamic State group.

During the militants' bloody campaign in both countries, where they have declared a self-styled caliphate, minorities, including Christians, have been repeatedly targeted and killed, driven from their homes, had their women enslaved and places of worship destroyed.

H.K.

G.K.