20 October 2008

BEIRUT: The inauguration of the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque took place on Saturday morning with over 700 people in attendance, including politicians, spiritual leaders and diplomats.

The speakers called for moderation, tolerance and unity between Christians and Muslims, while Bishop Roland Abu Jaoude, representing Lebanon's main Maronite Catholic Church, made mention of the adjacent Maronite St. George Cathedral whose church bells tolled as the ceremony began.

Saad Hariri, the son and political heir of slain former Premier Rafik Hariri, who started the project to build the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in 2002, began the proceedings with a reading of Al-Fatiha prayer at his father's tomb with Speaker Nabih Berri.

Hariri's tomb is adjacent to the mosque, and has been visited by numerous international leaders since the former prime minister's killing in 2005.

The official ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the presence of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel, a Hizbullah delegation, Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Rida Shibani. Ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Djibouti and the Palestinian territories also attended.

Speakers included a number of spiritual leaders from Lebanon, as well as the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Lands Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad Hussein, and Egypt's Mufti Ali Gomaa.

"Muslims are convinced that Lebanon cannot survive without coexistence among its people," said Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani.

The theme was reiterated by all of the speakers, including Bishop Elias Audi, who spoke on behalf of the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Naim Hassan, and Vice President of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan.

Saad Hariri closed the ceremony. "We want this day to represent the force of moderation in Lebanon and a message of moderation from Lebanon to the world," he said.

He also mentioned the situation of Christians in Mosul who are being forced out of their homes en masse. "The same people who created a war between Sunnis and Shiites are the ones kicking the Christians out of Iraq today," he said.

Several statements were also made regarding unity and the defeat of Israel.

"We live in unity in Palestine like we do in Lebanon. Christians and Muslims live hand and hand, so we can defeat Israel," said Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad Hussein.

Qabalan called on people of all religions and sects to unite to re-establish the resistance and confront Israel.

After the speeches, people in attendance made their way to the prayer room, which can accommodate 5,000 men and 1,000 women.

The Mohammad al-Amin Mosque is Lebanon's largest Muslim place of worship at 10,000 square meters. The bright blue dome and the four minarets, which are based on those of Mecca's Grand Mosque, can be seen from anywhere in Downtown Beirut. Inside, Chandeliers hang over the carpeted floor and versus from the Koran adorn the walls.

The mosque's architect, Azmi Fakhuri, said the mosque had an Ottoman style, but retained a Lebanese identity. 

The streets were packed with cars leaving and coming to the mosque all day on Saturday. One local who was passing by the procession wondered. "Yes, today everyone prays, but tomorrow will it be empty?"

Copyright The Daily Star 2008.