Daryan in Eid Sermon: Nation under Threat over Divisions

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan warned that the nation was under threat because of political divisions and stressed that those committing inhumane acts in the name of religion were not faithful.

“The atrocities committed in the name of religion confirm that they (the perpetrators) don't have faith,” said Daryan in his Eid al-Adha sermon at Mohammed al-Amin mosque in downtown Beirut.

He was referring to the rise of al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State terrorist groups that have executed three Lebanese soldiers taken captive during the gunbattles with the army in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

The jihadists have also beheaded two Americans and a British man, who were all taken captive in Syria.

The United States has been working to build an alliance against the jihadists, who have declared an Islamic "caliphate" on a tract of Iraq and Syria where they have committed widespread atrocities.

The Pentagon said aircraft from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined U.S. warplanes in new bombing raids Friday.

American aircraft also conducted three air raids in Iraq, including two northeast of Fallujah.

The Grand Mufti warned that the Islamic religion had come under local and foreign threat.

He also said in his speech after the Eid prayers that the nation was being threatened because of division.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam attended the prayers along with hundreds of faithful men.

Daryan, who took over the helm of Dar al-Fatwa last month, called for political, social and religious reform.

Later Saturday, the Mufti welcomed well-wishers and received phone calls from officials extending their Eid greetings.