Ramadan decorations cause controversy at Beirut courthouse

There was uproar at the Beirut courthouse this week, after the acting head of Judicial Inspection, Samar Sawwah, called for the removal of a decoration installed for Ramadan, deemed too cumbersome for the premises.

A photo circulating on social networks shows several crescent moons of different sizes placed in front of the counter of the court clerk's office at the courthouse. The decoration was apparently put in place on the second floor by employees of all faiths, according to information obtained by the Al-Modon newspaper.

A judicial source contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour stated that the head of the Judicial Inspection, who is Druze, felt that the size of the decoration was too large and that it did not allow litigants and lawyers to move easily in front of the counter where they had to carry out their formalities. According to information obtained by L'Orient-Le Jour, the head of the judicial Inspection therefore asked that the decoration be moved, not removed completely, suggesting that it be placed in the hall and not in front of the counter, to facilitate movement in the summary proceedings clerk's office.

Quoted by Al-Modon, journalist Ziad Itani criticizes the Judicial Inspection chief's actions, ironically questioning whether placing decorations constitutes "a breach of the law." The newspaper adds that it is customary to decorate places during major holidays, such as Ramadan, Christmas or New Year's Eve.

Others criticize Samar Sawwah for allowing Christmas decorations in the same place. The source contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour explained that the head of the Judicial Inspection had not seen the Christmas decoration. Moreover, they had only seen the Ramadan decoration in a photo sent to them.

L'Orient-Le Jour tried to contact the clerk who installed the decoration, but they could not be reached immediately. 

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.