Source: almanar.com.lb, 22-6-2009

The deputy head of the Higher Muslim Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan questioned accusations against a "group of the Lebanese."

In a statement, Sheikh Qabalan said he would have hoped to see the role of religious authorities as one that is above all sectarian and confessional divisions. He also warned against the danger of instigating against the beliefs and doctrines of some Lebanese.

Sheikh Qabalan wondered whether such comments mean questioning the Arab identity of the targeted group of the Lebanese; the same group that belongs to genuine Arabs.

His eminence asked: Does what we have herd mean that some of our sons are accused of threatening the entity; our same sons who have paid dear prices for the liberation of this country at a time others were involved in destroying the state's institutions and keeping a blind eye on "Israel", its occupation and its avarice?"

Sheikh Qabalan added: "Don't they realize what launching such accusations can do to people? This is why, given that we adhere to the role of religious authorities as an element of security for this country, we call for explaining what had been said so that this issue would not continue to be a point of controversy that the Lebanese can do well without."