Lebanon’s Higher Islamic Council contained a crisis on Thursday after brushing off a decision made by a religious commission disqualifying fifteen Sheikhs widely known with hostile positions to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.
On Wednesday, a religious commission issued a decision dismissing 15 Shiite Sheikhs it considered “unqualified for guidance and religious advice or work on religious and personal status matters related to the Islamic Shiite community, either for deviation from the dogma of Islam or for claiming to belong to a religious school.”
The Higher Islamic Council was quick to reply. It made a statement noting that the list made by the religious commission does not reflect the Council’s position, reminding that no statement should be made in the name of the Higher Islamic Council unless it garners the council’s approval.
Shiite cleric Yasser Audi, who is known for his opposition to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement was listed in the document.
In addition to Yasser Audi, the list included Samer Abdel Hussein Ghanoui, Bilal Ibrahim Salim, Mohammad Youssef Hajj Hassan, Nizar Mohammad Hamzeh, Ibrahim Hassan Herz, Abdel Karim Cheikh Ali, Youssef Hassan Kanj, Ahmad Abbass Idi, Abou Hassan Mortada, Mohammad Ali Fouani, Hachem Ali Moussaoui, Mahmoud Abdallah Fakih, Abdel Salam Niazi Dandache and Nizar Jamal Jechi.
Audi and other clerics are considered students of scholar Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah.
Fadlallah had on Thursday made a telephone call with Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Ali al-Khatib where talks focused on the latest developments and religious matters.
