Lebanon cannot be ruled by "fatwa"

I could not believe the words blasted on the radio. Mufti Kabbani was literary excommunicating any Lebanese Sunni politician who approves institutionalizing voluntary civil marriage in Lebanon!

With all respect, your “excellence” you do not have the authority to make such statements. The Grand Mufti is a governmental employee of the Lebanese Republic representing Sunni citizens at the official authorities in Lebanon and abroad. He heads Dar Alfatwa which is the Sunni Muslim authority Office. He does not have the religious authority of an Ayatollah. In the Sunni sect there is no “wilayat al fakeeh” position. The Sunni Taliban style of Islam allows for such a position. I doubt that many Sunnis in Lebanon approve the Taliban style of mixing state with religion. In Lebanon the Prime Minister represents the Sunnis in issues related to civil life and politics. The Grand Mufti deals with the administration of religion. Ruling by “fatwas” is not the norm.

It is not surprising that Mufti Kabbani springs to the occasion of being seen as the defender of Sunni Lebanese within the actual power struggle within the sect. It is a good occasion to confirm his authority. On another level, the “ambiance” in the country where the Maronite Patriarch meddles in secular issues and defends the rights of the Christians while the Shia community falls behind the Iranian Ayatollah is conductive to such posturing. Let’s not forget that in the face of offensive statements and actions by Christians and Shias, the Sunni community is starting to turn away from moderation and we saw during the last two years the rise of fundamentalist Sunni movements all around the country.

The other 18 Lebanese religious denominations whether Christian, Muslim, or Jew are ducking low. They surely do not approve the voluntary civil marriage that removes part of their authority over the lives of citizens. Family Law Courts are a source of income and dominion. They are just trying to stay out of the discourse. Why to start a controversial battle when Mufti Kabbani is on the forefront of the confrontation? It is definitely a smart and self-promoting position.

The problem is not situated within the realm of religions and sectarian powers. The real challenge resides in the populism and incompetence of parliamentarians and secular leaders. Many Lebanese MPs are for the introduction of the voluntary civil law, yet we are not hearing their voice. They are not going public with their opinion. Such issues are tricky during an election period. They are missing a chance to be truthful to their belief. They are missing a chance to give a country divided a first step towards unity around a nation state rather than sects and tribes; more so the MPs representing the moderate Sunnis within the Future Movement and the 14^th of March coalition. It is their chance to take a clear direction and stop dithering. The minimum action is to clearly refuse Mufti Kabbani’s action. Sadly, it is clear that they are hoping to attract the moderates and the fundamentalists. Again and again they are adopting a wrong strategy and wrong electoral tactics. Many of the electorate of the 14^th of March movement are now disabused, they will not vote for colorless politicians.

The President of the Republic took a courageous stand supporting the institution of a voluntary civil marriage law in Lebanon. It will remove the discrimination against those who do not believe in sectarian citizenship. It upholds the Constitution that states that all Lebanese citizens have the same rights and duties independent of their creed or race. This is an opportunity to fall behind his leadership on this issue. I am not calling for the creation of a new icon leader. We can disagree on many issues with the President while supporting his actual courageous stand.