Lebanon's Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian paid a visit to Syria, his first since taking office in 2014. Accompanied by a delegation of senior Lebanese Sunni religious leaders, he began his visit with a solemn prayer at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the most important sites of Islam and Arab-Muslim heritage.
Mufti Derian and the members of the delegation then met a number of leading Syrian figures, including the Minister of Awqaf, Sheikh Mohammad Abu al-Kheir Shukri, and the Mufti of Damascus, Sheikh Abdel Fattah el-Bazm. The dialogue focused on strengthening religious cooperation and the importance of preserving common values in the face of regional challenges.
The highlight of the visit was an official meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at Qasr al-Shaab. Mufti Derian delivered a highly symbolic speech, evoking the return of fraternal ties between the two countries and praising the “courage, patience and wisdom” of the Syrian head of state. He called for Lebanon and Syria to turn the page on past divisions and establish a renewed relationship based on partnership and complementarity.
On this occasion, Mufti Derian awarded President Sharaa the prestigious golden “Wisam Dar el-Fatwa,” a rarely awarded decoration, for his efforts in favor of Islamic dialogue and the Arab cause.
Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian highlighted the importance of strong Lebanese-Syrian relations during his recent visit to Damascus.
“We went to Damascus because it is the gateway to our Arab depth,” Derian said. “We visited the new administration to tell them: May God guide your steps in serving Syria, and we in Lebanon stand with the choices of the Syrian people.”
Derian underscored Lebanon’s desire to build “the best possible relations” with Syria, emphasizing that such ties must be established on a state-to-state basis. He praised the efforts of President Joseph Aoun and President al-Sharaa in that direction, noting, “I sensed from al-Sharaa a deep love for Lebanon and a clear will and determination to forge the strongest possible ties.”
Touching on domestic matters, the Mufti also called for preserving the sanctity of places of worship. “Our mosques across all regions are beacons of faith and knowledge, and this is how they must remain,” he said. “My hope is that we keep politics away from places of worship.”
Comments