Report: Qabbani to be Forced out after Ramadan
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Political leaders of the Sunni sect might force out Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani after Ramadan despite his insistence to remain in his post until elections next year.
Informed sources told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat that such a decision would be delayed until after Eid al-Fitr out of respect for the holy month.
The issue was discussed by current and former premiers on Saturday at an Iftar banquet at ex-PM Omar Karami's residence in the northern city of Tripoli.
The statement, which was issued after the meeting that was attended in addition to Karami by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Premier-designate Tammam Salam and former PM Fouad Saniora, said the conferees agreed on “a number of steps that will be implemented consecutively.”
But reports emerged that Karami's stance on Qabbani's isolation was unclear.
Sources told al-Liwaa newspaper that the former premier had signed a petition against Qabbani but that he was in favor of urging him to leave his post and not sacking him out of respect for the seat of the mufti, who heads Dar al-Fatwa, Lebanon’s top Sunni religious authority.
The Higher Islamic 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.
But the mufti considered the extension illegal and held council elections.
The Tripoli meeting was held on Saturday in light of a petition that more than 80 members of the council’s electoral body signed. It calls for a session to vote on whether Qabbani should be sacked over financial, and legal violations.
The mufti's ties with al-Mustaqbal deteriorated in 2011 when he met with a delegation from Hizbullah the same day the Special Tribunal for Lebanon indicted four party members in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri's February 2005 assassination.
Relations between the two sides were also shaken when the mufti met with Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali, whom al-Mustaqbal and the March 14 opposition alliance have on several occasions said should be expelled.
22 July 2013, 09:40
412
this mufti and his son have stolen sunni wakf money and he should go.
22 July 2013, 10:13
64
He was fighting a losing battle since the beginning. They gave him several chances. Now it seems a more pro-m14 mufti will be making his way in.
22 July 2013, 10:56
154
This is just part of the M14 push to destabilize every institution in Lebanon. Unfortunately this will lead to an economic crash. The IMF will step in and demand severe cuts to government spending crippling health, education while sending the economy into a tailspin. Just look at Greece ...
22 July 2013, 11:16
38
proved you (mc) wrong on the other article.. keep blaming everything on m14.. while in fact the opposite is confirmed fact and true.. the only people pushing Lebanon to an economic crash are m8
22 July 2013, 11:32
133
@ arzak-ya-libnan
It is M14 that boycotts Parliament, slanders the army and Future that instigates violence in the Bekaa Valley, Sidon and Tripoli.
22 July 2013, 13:03
94
this is the price they want to make him pay for not playing the wahhabi-takfiri game.
22 July 2013, 13:04
94
their positions are clear: fanatical freaks who attack the army and incite sectarian strife are supported (assir), while wise men who seek understanding and peace and pushed out.
I hope the moderate Sunnis will not fall for that and show their support for this wise man.
22 July 2013, 13:52
38
mc didnt m8 boycott parliament for 1 and a half years? the answer is no... they closed down parliament.
22 July 2013, 11:30
45
tiger i rarely thumb people up or down.. i say what i have to say, thats it.. thumbs up or down will not change anything.. i wish the people who do vote down state their reasons.. but at the end who cares..
22 July 2013, 15:11
23
Whoever you're referring to, they represent their people as much as Aoun does... It's called democracy and its not a concept you understand...
At least those leaders and their people do not publicly call for the elimination and extermination of others like you do. Terrorist :)
22 July 2013, 15:55
00
Salam
First of all , we had Cheikh Hassan Khaled ( God bless his soul ) who was the best ever mufti we had since 1966 .
Second Mufti Qabbani was against Hariri when he became Prime minister and after a long struggles with the stupid system , Mufti Qabbani was bought by Hariri and obeyed him blindly . Anyway who was behind Moufti Qabbani and divided Muslims ( Sunni ) for years . Who stolen the Muslims' money for ages ? , who instigated Muslims in Lebanon to fight against other Muslims Part . The son's of whom were in Night Club drinking , dancing and SmokinG in public . the Son's of whom , who has fancy cars with body guards and making deals under the tablessssssssss
I tell u something Mufti Qabbani go home u and ur team , raise ur son to be ur mirror in public not to be a mafia guy , we don't need such mufti like u .
Salam
22 July 2013, 16:30
12
bye bye ya mufti....we need a more patriotic one that openly stands up to Hizb and cronies and be fiercely pro FSA. That's what the Sunnis want...
22 July 2013, 16:31
11
bye bye ya mufti....we need a more patriotic one that openly stands up to Hizb and cronies and be fiercely pro FSA. That's what the Sunnis want...
22 July 2013, 16:31
12
bye bye ya mufti....we need a more patriotic one that openly stands up to Hizb and cronies and be fiercely pro FSA. That's what the Sunnis want...
22 July 2013, 21:48
21
M11er, but at what price, and with how much instability and lives also?
