Introduction to the evening news 28-01-2013

"Every Muslim official in the Parliament and the Cabinet who agrees on the legislation and legalization of the civil marriage in Lebanon is "against the law and against the Islamic religion," that is what the Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said regarding civil marriage in Lebanon.                   

The Grand Mufti's stance takes us back in time to the 90s when the same law was being discussed, but this time, the Grand Mufti is facing difficulties within his sect. 
                                
For that, the image seems distorted between religious obligations, benefits of the clerics be they Muslim or Christian, and attempts to score political points.                       

Regardless of the details, the latest Fatwa is meant to close the legal debate regarding civil marriage and place a religious and sectarian veto against the state and the civil society.                          

It is the same veto set against works of art under the name of censorship, and against a modern electoral law.                     

It is the same veto that would have made of the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft a "life cycle" that prevents fusions in marriages, elections, land sales,  and house rentals among other things...

The Grand Mufti is not the only person to be blamed since Lebanese people, throughout their hot and cold wars did their best to create a favorable climate for Fatwas of this kind.


All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin.