Dar al-Fatwa instigates administrative reforms after media questions integrity
Lebanon’s highest Sunni authority Dar al-Fatwa, has condemned media campaigns questioning the body’s financial integrity and transparency, as leading Sunni political figures voiced support for the mufti of the Republic and the council’s national role.
Following a meeting of the Higher Islamic Sunni Council on Saturday, a statement from Dar al-Fatwa warned against campaigns designed to distort the reputation of the Council and its mufti, while underscoring Sunni Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani’s leading role on the national level.
The meeting at the body’s headquarters in Beirut, headed by Qabbani, was also attended by caretaker Premier Fouad Siniora, former premiers Najib Mikati and Salim Hoss.
The council called on the Dar al-Fatwa affiliated institutions to exert transparency and integrity with regard to its financial and administrative activities in order to reveal “the true picture” to the public.
“The council will implement administrative reforms in order to modernize its institutions and raise their level of productivity,” the statement said.
The statement also stressed the council’s rights regarding the management of Sunni assets and real-estate projects in Beirut. The Council called on Siniora to investigate media reports regarding the council’s financial activities and assign a specialized institution to undertake an audit of Dar al-Fatwa financial statements.
The attendants also urged the public to ignore campaigns targeting their leaders and religious figures.
“The council calls on the Lebanese, and particularly Muslims, to unite and face the campaigns against their leaders and figures, as well as stand firm against political and national assassination attempts, in order to preserve their unity,” the statement said.