The Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan, participated in the opening of the ninth conference for Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs from the Islamic world, held in Mecca under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, titled: "The Role of Ministries of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Promoting Moderation Principles and Consolidating Values of Moderation."
Mufti Deryan chaired a session at the conference and stated: "The Dar al-Fatwa in Lebanon is keen on reason, moderation, and balance in its Islamic and national message to protect its religious institution on one side and the youth on the other. We must be advocates for this message towards our societies and youth, strengthening the social fabric and maintaining its stability, instilling moral values, promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence, and addressing currents of intellectual violence and extremism in the understanding and interpretation of texts."
He added: "We must not forget that Lebanon is diverse in its sects. We need fortification, care for national unity, and to mitigate external influences, along with facing the challenges that may be greater than Lebanon but are, fundamentally, general. Extremism is met with Islamophobia, much like it counters claims of a sense of duty."
He concluded: "What we prioritize is not to succumb to dependency or infiltration, often due to illusions that arise either from incompetence or the temptations some face."
