Latest news with #SupremeIslamicShiiteCouncil
Ya Libnan
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Lebanese Shiite activists sue the 'Supreme Shiite Council over abuse of power, corruption and money laundering'
The 3 prominent Shiite activiists Journalist Muhammad Barakat ( C), University professor Dr. Ali Khalifa ( R) and attorney Hanan Jawad (L) blasted the The Supreme Shiite council , accusing it of corruption and money laundering and declared that they are suing members of the council over abuse of power and breach of duty A number of activists have filed a complaint and two lawsuits against anyone the investigation reveals to have been involved including employees and members of the Executive Boards of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in corruption ,money laundering and providing false justification They also demanded action from the Prime Minister, the body legally vested with guardianship over the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council. The charges also include 'rape and seizure of property,' 'abuse of power and breach of duty,' and 'embezzlement and exploitation of office.' The activists announced these two lawsuits, in addition to a third lawsuit, the basis of which is to hold accountable the 'Shiite Council' for its failure to supervise the file of the fifth ( the 20 @ tax) and zakat throughout the sect, and between the charitable societies and relevant institutions. This has deprived it of the ability to help the poor Shiites, especially during the recent war and the subsequent displacement and loss of hundreds of thousands of their homes, livelihoods, and sources of income. Journalist Muhammad Barakat emphasized that ' the Shiites are not a sect of the poor, nor are they a group of people standing at the gates of states waiting for handouts and for someone to rebuild their ruined homes. Their wealthy people are everywhere from China to India, from Brazil to Europe, to the coasts of Africa, as well as America and Canada. The khums ( the 20 % Tax ) and the Muslim Zakat tax that are collected on annual basis go into the pockets of political parties and thieves of the Mosques.' Zakat is an obligatory wealth tax in Islam, similar to charity, for eligible Muslims. It's one of the five pillars of Islam and requires a Muslim to donate 2.5% of their assets above a certain threshold (Nisab) annually . He added, 'This council has abandoned its duties, and some of its administrators are now only concerned with exploiting property and lining their pockets. Today, we are raising our voices to end its injustice against the poor Shiites.' He announced the filing of a lawsuit to evict the head of the Shiite Council headquarters from the endowment, which he has no right to use and which he resides in illegally, in violation of the law and Sharia. We demand his immediate eviction and the payment of appropriate compensation to the poor Shiites.' On his part, University professor Dr. Ali Khalifa declared his 'rejection of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council becoming the Supreme Shia Duo Council.' He added, 'It is not in our name, nor in the name of the Shia, that flagrant legal violations, the disruption of the system, the confiscation of elections, corruption, sacred ignorance, vulgarity, and incitement are committed. It is not in the name of the Shia to squander the sect's endowments and make appointments based on self-interest.' He continued: 'The Jaafari Fatwa is being exploited to promote the Amal-Hezbollah duo . This is done before and after all the disasters the duo has brought upon Shiites and the Lebanese, as a result of wrong decisions and deadly gambles. Our villages have been destroyed after being reconstructed, our land occupied after being liberated, and our hearts, like the cities of our south, have been burned and their people thrown to destruction for the sake of Iran.' On her part attorney r Hanan Jawad said the action is an exercise of our legitimate right as Lebanese citizens belonging to the Shiite Muslim community in Lebanon. It is my natural duty as a lawyer to be a partner in the noble cause of achieving justice within my hometown, of which I am proud. I am a Shiite woman who studied law and memorized the principles of law, which must serve justice, not self-interest. She added, 'The battle for reform, with its moral content, serves the rights of the Shiite sect and its children. Incitement and accusations will not deter us. Our black dress is studded with stars, and no ceiling is higher than the ceiling of the law.' She concluded, 'Between the state and the sect, we choose both to complete the sanctity of justice and contribute to preserving our active citizenship, our pure spiritual heritage, and our comprehensive national identity.' In an editorial article in Ya Libnan , prominent Lebanese political analysts Ali Hussein urged yesterday Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Counci to ' turn his attention to our beloved Shiite community—our brothers and sisters—who have suffered more than anyone from Hezbollah's reckless decisions.' Ali Hussein wrote ' It's time to focus on rebuilding the tens of thousands of Shiite homes destroyed in wars Hezbollah provoked. It's time to shift allegiance from Iran to Lebanon, from perpetual conflict to lasting peace. He added' Sheikh al-Khatib must recognize this reality: No international friend of Lebanon will help rebuild our nation so long as Hezbollah remains armed.' He added: It is time for peace. It is time for prosperity. It is time to bury the culture of death and rise together as one Lebanese people. ' Source: Lebanon Debate ( translated from Arabic)
Ya Libnan
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
There is absolutely no justification for Hezbollah or its arms in Lebanon
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators wave Lebanese flags during protests near the site of a blast at Beirut's port area, Lebanon where 220 people were killed , 7000 were injured and 300, 000 became homeless after hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate that were illegally stored there by Hezbollah for use in bombs by its ally Syria's dictator Bashar Al Assad were detonated on August 4, 2020. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic/File Photo By Ali Hussein In a recent televised interview, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, Vice President of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council, claimed that the justification for Hezbollah's weapons persists as long as the Lebanese state does not fulfill its role in liberating occupied territory and deterring aggression. He pointed to ongoing Israeli aggression as the primary concern, warning that such aggression must not become a fait accompli. But Sheikh al-Khatib is mistaken . Before demanding that the Lebanese state 'liberate' land occupied by Israel, he should ask Hezbollah why it has failed to regain the five strategic hills currently under Israeli control. In fact, Hezbollah has repeatedly lost ground, not gained it. After provoking the 2006 war with Israel, Lebanon lost the northern part of the town of Ghajar. And after igniting another conflict in 2023, Lebanon ended up losing even more territory—those five hills. Sheikh al-Khatib also claimed that Hezbollah has implemented UN Resolution 1701. But all credible reports show that Hezbollah has not fully honored the resolution. The Lebanese Army has not yet taken full control of the border areas, and Hezbollah continues to operate independently, undermining the state's sovereignty. Let's be clear: Hezbollah has become a catastrophic burden on Lebanon. It is because of Hezbollah that Lebanon's economy has collapsed. It is because of Hezbollah that Lebanon ranks as the third most miserable country in the world—trailing only war-torn Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Lebanon was once known as the 'Switzerland of the East.' Under Hezbollah, it has been reduced to a satellite of Iran. To Iran, Hezbollah is not a Lebanese resistance—it is Iran in Lebanon . The only authority who should decide Lebanon's future is the state, led today by President Joseph Aoun. In his oath of office, President Aoun made it clear: only the state should bear arms in Lebanon. He also emphasized that while dialogue with Hezbollah may occur, the final word rests with the state. But Hezbollah has never respected dialogue: Let us be truthful about Hezbollah's purpose. It was never created to defend Lebanon or liberate Palestine. Its mission has always been to serve Iran's regional ambitions. And Iran has never been interested in liberating Palestine—it has used the Palestinian cause as a tool to destabilize the region and extend its control through armed proxies like Hezbollah. Now, with Assad weakened and Iran's influence fading, Hezbollah stands more isolated than ever. This is Lebanon's moment. President Joseph Aoun is no ordinary leader. As a former Army Commander, he is respected, trusted, and uniquely qualified to guide Lebanon through this critical transition. His credibility with the Lebanese people gives him the moral authority to act, and his military experience gives him the strategic insight to address the Hezbollah issue. Instead of defending Hezbollah's weapons, Sheikh al-Khatib should turn his attention to our beloved Shiite community—our brothers and sisters—who have suffered more than anyone from Hezbollah's reckless decisions. It's time to focus on rebuilding the tens of thousands of Shiite homes destroyed in wars Hezbollah provoked. It's time to shift allegiance from Iran to Lebanon, from perpetual conflict to lasting peace. Sheikh al-Khatib must recognize this reality: No international friend of Lebanon will help rebuild our nation so long as Hezbollah remains armed. It is time for peace. It is time for prosperity. It is time to bury the culture of death and rise together as one Lebanese people.
LBCI
26-03-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam announces public holiday for first two days of Eid al-Fitr
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued Administrative Memorandum No. 12/2025, declaring the closure of public administrations, institutions, and municipalities for the first two days of Eid al-Fitr. The holiday will be observed based on the announcement of Dar al-Fatwa regarding the first day of Shawwal, marking the beginning of Eid, and the declaration of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.
LBCI
28-02-2025
- General
- LBCI
Lebanon's Supreme Islamic Shiite Council announces Sunday as the first day of Ramadan
The Supreme Islamic Shiite Council in Lebanon declared that Sunday will mark the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
