The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abd al-Latif Deryan, received congratulatory calls on the extension of his term, with notable congratulations from: Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Prime Ministers Saad Hariri, Tammam Salam, and Hassan Diab, as well as current and former ministers and deputies, heads of religious sects, Islamic and Christian authorities, and many other figures.
Mufti Deryan thanked the members of the Sharia Council for their decision to amend the term of the Grand Mufti and the regional muftis. He affirmed that "the Dar al-Fatwa, with its religious, endowment, charitable, social, medical, pastoral, and humanitarian aid institutions, is working to enhance, develop, and modernize its operations, especially in the difficult circumstances Lebanon is facing."
Deryan stated: "The role of Dar al-Fatwa, both Islamic and national, is essential in Lebanon, which suffers from crises upon crises. Moderation and balance are strengths to confront all the challenges we face in the country, as nations can only be built on foundations of truth, and can only rise and endure on the pillars of noble ethics. We rely on the wisdom and insight of scholars to greatly enlighten people about their religion, and their commitment to the Holy Quran and the Prophet's Sunnah."
He called for "a sincere and transparent national dialogue, away from selfishness and personal interests, to reach solutions that can save the country from the major collapse we are experiencing. We reaffirm our commitment to dialogue and the approach of shared living, and to protect the unified national fabric from sectarian and denominational strife, especially since electing a president is stalled, state institutions are paralyzed, and chaos is spreading in our country. The brotherly and friendly Arab nations are trying to help us if we help ourselves, so we must stand together to save Lebanon."
Deryan emphasized the importance of "adhering to the Taif Agreement, the Christian-Muslim shared living, national unity, and following a path of peace and safety that protects individuals, religions, and nations."
