Qabbani Refuses to Budge an Inch, Rejects Election of Sheikh Daryan as his Successor
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani rejects the election of head of the Sunni Sharia Supreme Court of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan as his successor.
“I am sure that Daryan might be forced despite my rejection, but I will not give my blessing despite all the guarantees,” As Safir newspaper quoted Qabbani as saying on Friday.
The controversial Grand Mufti expressed surprise over the insistence to elect Daryan “although he doesn't fit the profile.”
“The Grand Mufti should be entrusted with the Islamic religion.”
Qabbani denied putting any conditions on negotiators, saying: “I only had two requests.”
“The elected Mufti should be acceptable, and a new Higher Islamic Council should be formed after the two existing bodies are dissolved.”
The dispute between the HIC led by Qabbani and that of his deputy Sheikh Omar Misqawi is the result of political interference.
According to As Safir, Qabbani is certain that Prime Minister Tammam Salam will call for the election of a new Grand Mufti on August 10.
However, he refuses to withdraw his call for elections on August 31.
“The elections date is still on and I will not back down from it,” Qabbani said.
The Higher Islamic Council -- which elects the Mufti and organizes Dar al-Fatwa's affairs – became the center of controversy in 2012 after 21 of its members, who are close to al-Mustaqbal movement, extended its term until 2015 despite Qabbani's objection.
The Mufti later held elections for the Council, which were deemed illegal by ex-PMs Fouad Saniora and Najib Miqati, and the group led by Misqawi, who argued that the polls violated Shura Council decisions and did not enjoy a legal quorum.
In June, head of Dar al-Fatwa's Islamic Endowments Sheikh Hisham Khalifeh called for electing a new Grand Mufti in August, but this announcement was met with the opposition of the council led by Misqawi, who demanded the elections to be held as soon as possible.
Qabbani's term ends on September 15.
Qabbani recently blamed Saniora for the ongoing division as he seeks to cancel several powers granted to the Mufti.
H.K.
M.T.
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