Beirut: In a statement issued on the eve of the Ashura commemoration, former President Michel Sleiman emphasized the importance of maintaining the sanctity of religious observances. "Commemorating Ashura through mourning processions falls within the freedom of practicing religious rituals, guaranteed by the Lebanese Constitution, and constitutes one aspect of Lebanon's message of diversity and coexistence," he stated. Sleiman expressed concern that the introduction of weapons into these events transforms the commemoration from a spiritual observance into one with political and military implications, potentially causing divisions among various sects and within the Shiite community itself.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Sleiman further warned that merging the religious symbolism of Karbala with rhetoric centered on power and weaponry undermines the sanctity and unifying nature of the occasion. He urged for restraint to prevent further issues in the country and expressed a desire for peace among the people and the rejuvenation of a nation struggling to recover from collapse.
Sleiman's remarks highlight a call for respect and adherence to the spiritual roots of Ashura, advocating for a separation between religious practices and political or military agendas in Lebanon.