Vacuum Hits Bekaa, Sidon Mufti Posts as Row over HIC Deepens

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani rejected to renew the tenure of Bekaa Mufti Sheikh Khalil al-Mays and Sidon Mufti Sheikh Salim Soussan, which have ended two days ago, over the row concerning the Higher Islamic Council.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Wednesday, Qabbani has based his decision on the stances taken by the two Muftis, who didn't support him in his decision to hold the HIC elections.

Dar al-Fatwa sources told the daily that Qabbani informed al-Mays and Soussan of his decision.

Sources close to Soussan told al-Akhbar that he rejects Qabbani's decision, pointing out that he will head to his office as usual and carry out his jurisdictions.

On Tuesday, members of the HIC held an extraordinary meeting chaired by deputy head of the council Omar Mesqawi.

The meeting deemed the recent HIC elections as “invalid,” noting that the Muftis of districts across the country will remain in their posts until electing new ones.

The Council, which elects the mufti and organizes the affairs of Dar al-Fatwa, has been at the center of controversy after 21 of its members, who are close to ex-Premier Saad Hariri's al-Mustaqbal Movement, extended its term until the end of 2013 despite Qabbani's objection.

The mufti has refused to hold or join any meetings at Dar al-Fatwa, Lebanon’s top Sunni religious authority, and called for the elections of council members.

But last month the Shura Council allegedly deemed the call illegal and canceled the elections. Its decision followed a similar move it made last year when it canceled previous polls set by the Mufti for December 30.

Those who reject the polls held on April 14 argue that they were illegal, however Qabbani says that the Shura Council has no authority over Dar al-Fatwa to ban the elections.

However, the Grand Mufti held a meeting for the newly-elected council deepening the row over the matter.