The media office at the Dar al-Fatwa in the Lebanese Republic issued the following statement: "Elections for the local mufti were conducted in the regions of Tripoli, Akkar, Zahle, Rashaya, Baalbek-Hermel, and Hasbaya-Marjayoun, based on the decision of the Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan. The voting process began in the waqf circles after confirming the legal quorum of attendees by a member of the Higher Islamic Shari'a Council for the electoral area, representing the Grand Mufti. The election process then continued, and after the closure of the polling stations, vote counting began in all election centers, and the winners were announced.
Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan approved the results of the local mufti elections in the areas where the elections took place: Sheikh Mohammed Tariq Imam won in Tripoli with 66.40%, Sheikh Zaid Mohammed Bakar Zakariya won in Akkar with 45.56%, Sheikh Ali al-Ghazawi won in Zahle with 56.60%, Sheikh Wafiq Hajjazi won in Rashaya with 85.70%, Sheikh Ayman al-Rifai won in Baalbek-Hermel with 65%, and Sheikh Hassan Dalli won in Hasbaya-Marjayoun with 80.95%.
Deryan congratulated the winning muftis in the elections, wishing them success in their religious and national missions, and service to Muslims and Lebanese people, asking God to assist them in their noble Islamic duties.
He praised the efforts of the working team that handled all logistical and administrative procedures and ensured the smooth conduct of elections in all regions, and thanked the army and internal security forces for maintaining the safety and stability of the electoral process.
Deryan stated: "This electoral entitlement is an Islamic and national duty that was achieved after many years of absence of such elections. He affirmed that filling the mufti positions in the regions helps activate Islamic advocacy, develop waqf properties, and provide direct attention to the affairs of imams and mosque preachers, caring for them in all Lebanese regions.
He added: "What happened today in the mufti elections is a clear message to all political forces in Lebanon to hasten to elect a president for the republic who unites the Lebanese and adheres to the constitution and national pact, particularly the National Accord Document known as the Taif Agreement, which brought Lebanon out of the tunnel of conflicts into the embrace of the nation."
Deryan concluded: "We invite our brothers and sons, on the occasion of the upcoming national and religious holidays in Lebanon, to adhere to national unity, rise above personal interests, and enter the domain of the nation and foster a culture of citizenship, so that Lebanon returns to all its citizens as a free, independent Arab state, a haven of dialogue, diversity, and a national culture aimed at building a state of institutions and law."
