The Higher Shiite Council responds to statements attributed to Al-Khatib: Remarks distorted and our institutions are open to displaced people

The Higher Shiite Islamic Council issued the following statement:

“Some social media platforms circulated remarks attributed to the Vice President of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, during his visit to displaced people at the Islamic Maqasid Association in Beirut. These remarks are inaccurate and distort both his role and the role of the Shiite Council at this delicate stage in the nation’s life.

In fact, Sheikh Al-Khatib clarified, in response to a question, that the Council’s headquarters is an administrative center overseeing the Council’s institutions. He noted that the Islamic University has been opened to receive displaced people, while Al-Zahraa Hospital is carrying out its role in caring for the wounded and the sick. He also stated that caring for displaced people is primarily a duty of the state, but he never said that it is not also the responsibility of the Shiite Council, which has placed all its institutions at the service of the displaced.

This is not the first time that certain suspicious parties have attempted to tarnish the reputation of the Shiite Council for known purposes and agendas. The Council expresses deep regret over this inappropriate handling of the Vice President’s remarks, especially at a time when we most need prudence and verification of facts before rushing into hasty positions.”