Several Members of HIC Led by Qabbani Resign Ending Crisis
Several members of the Higher Islamic Council led by Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani resigned on Tuesday thus ending a three-year war that sought the division of the highest Sunni authority in Lebanon.
Fifteen members had so far submitted their resignations thus suspending the works of the HIC headed by Qabbani.
Six members of the resigned body said on Tuesday in a statement: “Nine members had already resigned from the newly formed 32-member formed council by Qabbani... And our resignation prompts the council to dissolve.”
“We were never chasing after personal interests or seeking rift between the two councils... We were seeking to bridge the gap between the two foes,” the statement pointed out.
It added that the members are “keen to preserve the Sunni sect's highest interest.”
“Our decision came in light of our attempt to avert the possible election of two Muftis due to the ongoing rift.”
“Our collective resignation dissolves this council.”
The members were identified as: Mwafaq al-Rouwas, Talal Majzoub, Saleh al-Dsouqi, Fouad Matraji, Rabih Qaterji, Mohammed Sinno, Bassem Assaf, Moustapha Qorra, Hammam Ziyadeh, Moustapha Banouk, Hani Qabbani, Omar Tarabah, Amir Raad, Haitham Fawwal and Saad Eddine Anouti.
Recently the battle between the HIC led by Qabbani and another headed by his deputy Sheikh Omar Misqawi intensified after the two bodies filed lawsuits against each other.
Both lawsuits include charges of impersonation.
The Grand Mufti had also challenged the legality of the council led by Misqawi in April.
Earlier in July, the body led by Misqawi charged the members of the council headed by Qabbani with having an “illegal status.”
Article 370 of the law states that the charges against the HIC led by Qabbani could lead to a year in prison if the member was employed and to three years in jail if the member was unemployed.
Misqawi's council also accused head of Dar al-Fatwa's Islamic Endowments, Sheikh Hisham Khalifeh, who is loyal to Qabbani, of sectarian incitement, the endorsement of stances that violate the Shura Council decisions deeming them as “unbinding” and of making a void call for the election of a new Grand Mufti in August.
In June, Sheikh 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.
The dispute between the council led by Qabbani and that of his deputy Misqawi is the result of political interference.
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 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.
H.K.
M.T.
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