BEIRUT — Sunni MP from Tripoli Ashraf Rifi on Saturday expressed his support for Dar al-Fatwa, condemning any "campaign" targeting the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Abdellatif Deriane, or seeking to "undermine" the highest religious authority of the Sunni community in Lebanon and its "national and unifying role."
The stance came a day after Dar al-Fatwa issued a statement denouncing a "programmed campaign" against the mufti, as speculation has mounted over his tenure in recent weeks following a motion filed with the State Shura Council by two sharia judges, Abdel Aziz Shafihi and Hammam Shaar. The Sharia Council increased the retirement age of the Mufti of the Republic from 72 to 76 in 2023, and that of the regional muftis to 72, thus allowing the 73-year-old Deriane to remain in his post.
"Criticism is a right and disagreement is legitimate. On the other hand, slander, defamation, the fabrication of information and personal attacks do not fall under freedom of expression, but rather constitute an attack on the truth, on the state's institutions and on national references," Rifi said in a statement.
The MP stressed that "the position of the mufti of the Republic should not be subjected to media and political attacks" and that Dar al-Fatwa, "as a unifying national and Islamic reference," deserves respect, "just as every citizen deserves to have their dignity protected from smear campaigns."
Rifi also supported Dar al-Fatwa's decision to seek legal recourse. "The state and the law are the reference, and not orchestrated campaigns or platforms for defamation," he said. "We disagree when we must disagree and we criticize when criticism is called for, but we will not accept that disagreement turns into offense, nor that freedom of expression serves as a cover for slander and personal attacks."
On Friday, Dar al-Fatwa's media office denounced a "programmed campaign" against Mufti Deriane, specifically citing "statements published by certain newspapers, websites and social media ... that contravene the ethics and traditions governing relations with Dar al-Fatwa and its scholars." The office threatened to pursue legal action "against anyone slandering the mufti and Dar al-Fatwa."
