International Shia News Agency

Sayyed Ali Fadlullah : No more civil wars

SHAFAQNA –  His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, delivered the two Friday prayer sermons at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque, 27th Jumada’ II 1436 H. – April, 17th 2015. Several prominent religious scholars, dignitaries and thousands of believers attended the Jumu’a prayer.

On the 13th of the month of April, we have celebrated the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the Lebanese civil war; the war that we still suffer from its repercussions in our social, economic and political reality. We do not want to recall its painful images and all the tragedies that took place back then, for it is of no use and will only produce additional hatred and grudge, which we badly need to forget. What we need is to recall this memory to learn its lessons and study it thoroughly to make sure that it will not happen again, especially that the prevailing atmosphere is favorable for such a return, and some might even be enthusiastic to welcome it back.

Moreover, sectarian tension and political division still exist, and they are getting stronger than before. In addition, external interferences are still present with each party or sect having a state to enhance its position vis-à-vis the other parties. It is unfortunate that, in these circumstances, we do not have an effective state capable of taking independent decisions. We have a state of sensitivities and quotas; a state that can remain without a president, a parliament, or even a government were it not for certain formalities.

We can say that the war is not over in Lebanon yet. There is a cold war that might turn into an actual war at any moment. It is true that the wisdom and awareness of some Lebanese have played a role in preventing chaos and explosion, but this is not the main factor, for it is the international and regional decision that has prevented the outbreak of war so far.

There are many lessons we can deduce from this war, including:

Firstly: The uselessness of internal wars which produce only destruction. If there were some gains, since some say that the Ta’if Agreement produced some gains, they can never match the size of destruction and the number of victims and missing persons that the war caused. The most such wars can achieve is a settlement in which there is no loser and no winner, for any settlement that ends up with a winner is a prelude for a coming war.

Secondly: After the war finished and its aims and consequences came out, the Lebanese became aware that they were wrong and impulsive when they accepted the logic of those who inflamed the fears of the confessions against one another. The war broke out, and all parties fought under national slogans, yet the goals were confessional and so were the incentives. When the war ended, both the Christians and Muslims realized that it did not serve the aims of either of them; rather; it was to the detriment of all of them.

Thirdly: Big and regional powers do not take the interests of the confessions, sects and political parties into account. They only need them as a passage to secure their interests. These powers are not charitable societies that care about the interests of others. They pay money to take hold of a decision that serves their interests and only their interests.

Lastly: Playing with sectarian fires burns the country and holds it a prisoner, not only to the internal tensions, but also to the external ones. That is why we have always said: Beware of playing with sectarian fire and keep the differences within their limits; i.e. political.

Source : Bayynat

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