Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, the Grand Mufti of the Republic, led a large delegation of scholars from Dar al-Fatwa to the shrine of Mufti Sheikh Hassan Khalid in the Ouzai area to commemorate the anniversary of his martyrdom, where they recited Al-Fatiha for his soul in the presence of the late scholar's family.
Daryan stated in a statement, "God Almighty says in His Holy Book: 'Do not think of those who were killed in the way of God as dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving sustenance.'"
He added: "On the thirty-third anniversary of the martyrdom of the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Hassan Khalid, may God have mercy on him, our memories return to what this exceptional Mufti did, giving his homeland and the Islamic nation his dearest possession, so that Lebanon remains proud, free, honorable, and united, gathering the hearts and efforts of its people to rise in a journey of development and prosperity, preserving human rights, regardless of affiliation. Today, on this occasion, we draw inspiration from the virtues of this martyr Mufti: courage, speaking the truth, and caring for the dignity of Lebanese and Muslims, as unity is not merely a slogan but a way of life for a better future, and the most suitable path to achieve national aspirations, the first of which is just citizenship that he called for, so that no citizen is distinguished from another except by their love for their homeland and striving to elevate it, to be among the respected nations."
He continued: "We, the children of the school of the martyr Mufti, walk in his footsteps, which he devoted his whole life to enshrining these noble values and spreading their concept throughout Lebanon, based on Islamic and national principles and constants. It pains us in this solemn occasion to see Lebanon as it is, divided and fragmented, suffering from poverty, hunger, and major crises. Every free and sincere person does not accept that their people and homeland reach such a low point of regression and decline."
He concluded: "We will remain, O great martyr, committed to the path of martyrdom and loyalty to it, in honor of the pure blood of the martyrs that was spilled on the blessed land of Lebanon, to preserve its Arab identity and the honor of belonging."
Moreover, a speech was delivered by سعد الدين خالد, president of the "Institutions of the Martyr Mufti Hassan Khalid," on behalf of the family, who said: "We remember the martyr Mufti as an exceptional symbol of national positions that unite in preserving the state and the homeland, and we recall what he represented in terms of national, Islamic, religious, and humanitarian value.
"Therefore, they feared him and murdered him treacherously because it is forbidden for there to be a strong Sunni leader uniting the Lebanese Islamic Sunni community in Lebanon. He was the foundation of humane dialogue for a world dominated by security, peace, and brotherhood."
He added: "We today, and the Lebanese national arena, miss a national figure like Hassan Khalid during these dark days, a figure that represented the national compass for all Lebanese. He was able to be a safe national refuge for all Lebanese in moments of confusion, chaos, and crises. He enjoyed the respect and appreciation of everyone, even those who politically disagreed with him, with no option left for them but to assassinate him for he stood taller than them, nationally and globally, and because they did not want him to claim the glory of Lebanon after the Taif Agreement—of which he was its Mufti."
He concluded: "May God have mercy on the martyr Mufti Hassan Khalid, whom they feared and murdered— a strong, unifying leader, a role model, and a beacon lighting the path of truth for good Lebanese within the framework of the Lebanese national state."
