09 June 2005
BEIRUT: Senior Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah stressed Lebanon's current need for young leaders truly concerned about building a nation in which citizens act without maliciousness or hostility to others, regardless of any particular group membership.
In his weekly seminar on Wednesday, Fadlallah criticized sectarian groups seeking to promote their own interests over that of the nation.
"A human is equal to his brother in citizenship, i.e. by his rights and duties; consequently the sectarian regime undermines citizenship and destroys it to turn the country into incoherent sectarian federations and individuals controlled by sectarian spirit instead of being grouped by nationality and citizenship."
Fadlallah said the idea of citizenship failed here because "we did not strive to truly search for common ground based on national considerations."
He stressed that the Lebanese are "cursing the arrogant West" for being responsible for Lebanon's division, "and now we long for these divisions after we lost even belonging to a united country."
Fadallah said Lebanon is in deep need of a real revolution on the cultural level, one that would change the people's political mentality and teach them the essence of a modern state. "Citizenship signifies victory over a tribal mentality," he added.
According to the cleric, Lebanon, a country burdened with tragedies, wounds and debts, must be rebuilt on the ruins of a state rife with theft and embezzlement. That difficult task starts with people working for brotherhood, tolerance and cooperation, he said.
"This is only possible with the help of pure and conscientious model leaders that do not attempt to follow twisted paths in political life or administrative management."
Fadlallah called for overcoming confessional divergences, for a uniting national dialogue, and for the acceptance of political and social diversity that would lead to a basic recognition of the rights of all. - The Daily Star
