One more time, religious considerations block equality and citizenship rights as Mufti Kabbani harangues politicians against civil marriage || Newspapers (Arabic)

As the issue of civil marriage has come back to the forefront of political and social debates, a number of clergy have mobilized against even a social dialogue on this matter!  The most violent reaction was certainly that of Sunni Mufti Kabbani who issued his own Fatwa threatening any Sunni politician, whether a parliamentarian or a Minister, with ex-communion should they decide to support, endorse or codify the recently declared civil marriage by a Lebanese couple.  The Mufti in his Fatwa that “Every Muslim official, whether a deputy or a minister, who supports the legalization of civil marriage, even if it is optional, is an apostate and outside the Islamic religion”.  He further explained his threat by noting that such official would not be washed, would not be wrapped in a [burial] shroud, would not have prayers for their soul in line with Islamic rules, and would not be buried in a Muslim cemetery,” Kabbani added.

The Mufti’s heinous statements were preceded by similar speeches aired from various mosque’s during the call for last Friday’s prayers notably that of the Director General of the Sunni wakf, Sheikh Hisham Khalifeh, who noted that the mere mention of this matter constitute a grave threat to Lebanon.  The member of the Islamic wakf board, Sheikh Ahmad al Baba was clear cut in issuing an order to politicians to forget this matter forever!  He also noted that this project, whether meant to be optional or compulsory, will never see the light in one Muslim country.  He added that those who believe that a civil marriage is better that an Islamic marriage are forever banned from their faith.

To be noted that “Shaml” civil association had convened a Press Conference last Friday in Riyad Al Solh square to remind politicians and citizens that there is indeed, somewhere in the forgotten drawers of the Parliament, a law proposal for civil family laws prepar3d by Eugarite Younane and Walid Sleiby which needs to be discussed and that the excuse put forward by some politician for the need to draft a law is simply to divert attention from this matter.

(Source: Al-Akhbar- Assafir- Annahar and Al-Diyar 29 January 2013)