FIFA President Vises Sheikh Al-Aql's Residence in Mount Lebanon with Sports Officials

Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Mona, the spiritual leader (Sheikh Al-Aql) of the Druze Unitarians, received FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Lebanese Football Association President Hashem Haider at his residence in Chaniyeh. They were accompanied by delegations from both federations and sports officials. Attendees included Yusuf Daibes, Interior Commissioner of the Progressive Socialist Party; Junblat Ghreizi, Deputy Interior Agent for Al-Jarad; Fadi Ghreizi, Head of the Al-Jarad Municipalities Union; Noman Abi Al-Mona, Mayor of Chaniyeh; Mukhtar Farid Hamza; members of the municipality, the Renaissance Social Society, and the town's sports committee; Football Association member Jihad Al-Shahaf; Safaa Club President Riad Attallah; Ahly Akhaa Club President Wael Shaib; Judge Sheikh Gandhi Makarem; heads of committees in the Sectarian Council; General Director Sheikh Esmat Al-Jardi; Sheikh Fadi Al-Attar; Mazen Fayyad; Director of the Sheikh Al-Aql Office Rayan Hassan; Advisor Sheikh Imad Faraj; and other sheikhs.

Sheikh Abi Al-Mona delivered a welcoming speech, stating: "It is our great pleasure to welcome you to our town of Chaniyeh in Mount Lebanon, in the presence of friends, members of the Sectarian Council of the Druze Unitarians, sports lovers, and our honorable people. We attach great importance to your visit, considering it a symbolic expression of our community's connection to sports and appreciation for the vital role football plays in bringing people together, opening horizons for acquaintance and solidarity among them, and inspiring future generations."

He added: "The football field you graciously donated to our town, though modest in size, carries within it great hopes and dreams that we aspire to achieve step by step. This is precisely what we aim for, based on our belief that sports contribute to protecting boys and youth from social ills, directing their energies away from negative influences and destructive paths. Sports also strengthen faith in souls, instill feelings of gratitude and appreciation in hearts for the talents and abilities God has bestowed upon us, and inspire us to pray to Him Almighty to encompass us with His care, protection, and success throughout our lives."

He continued: "The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which holds the leading position in the world of sports, is an inclusive international organization. Regardless of what is said about it, it remains a global symbol of convergence, peace, and global partnership, a platform for enhancing good relations between countries, and encouraging positive competition among youth as well as nations. When sports are coupled with their noble spirit and humane values, they become a means for elevating humanity and its progress."

The Sheikh Al-Aql then addressed Mr. Infantino, saying: "You have assumed the responsibility of leading FIFA for three consecutive terms, and I can only imagine the immense workload and significant challenges this responsibility requires in terms of perseverance, determination, and resolve. Perhaps your insistence on obtaining Lebanese citizenship is the best proof of the strength of your will, the firmness of your resolve, and the sincerity of your love for our country—a small country in area but large in meaning, rich in plurality and beautiful diversity. In Lebanon, we are one team despite differences in responsibilities, roles, sects, and denominations. This is a truth that Lebanon cherishes and takes pride in, just as it takes pride in having a distinguished global figure like you holding the nationality of this message-bearing homeland, contributing to encouraging Lebanese youth and supporting their rise and recovery, especially during this delicate stage when our country faces a brutal aggression targeting its land, violating its existence, sovereignty, and right to make independent decisions."

He followed up: "There is no doubt that Mount Lebanon holds a special place in your heart and the hearts of loyal individuals like you, just as sports hold a distinctive place in the hearts of all Lebanese. We cannot fail to thank Mr. Taymour Jumblatt for his interest and guidance in accomplishing this work in Chaniyeh, wishing FIFA continued success and prosperity, and that it remains a unifying force and supporter of unity and peace."

The Sheikh Al-Aql concluded: "We welcome you again and express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for everything you have provided and everything you will continue to provide. We also thank your colleagues in FIFA and the Lebanese Football Association, wishing you continued success and prosperity. Welcome again, and thank you all."

For his part, Infantino expressed his appreciation to Sheikh Abi Al-Mona for the warm reception in this inclusive home where we feel we are also at home, emphasizing greater attention to Lebanon to enhance its sporting role. He stated that the new field in Chaniyeh is not the last item on the agenda, but there will be more donations for the country and this region.

He renewed his thanks to the Sheikh Al-Aql for "the meeting and his kind spirit, in an approach that combines the role of religious authorities with the driving spirit to promote noble human, social, cultural, and sporting values."

At the end of the meeting, Infantino presented a commemorative gift to the Sheikh Al-Aql on behalf of FIFA, while Sheikh Abi Al-Mona presented a sculpture symbolizing the Lebanese cedar. The delegation then moved, accompanied by the representative of the Sheikh Al-Aql, Judge Sheikh Makarem, to inaugurate the field.

Earlier, Sheikh Abi Al-Mona received a delegation from the town of Al-Qunayba and another from Jabb Farh - Rashaya district. He also received Hikmat Abu Farraj, his brother Rifaat Abu Farraj (Mukhtar of Baalshamieh), and their brothers.

He also received Majdalbaana Mayor Amin Abdul Khalek and Sports Club President Ali Abdul Khalek, as well as Diaa Jamal Al-Din Abi Al-Mona, head of the Cultural and Social Forum for High Al-Jarad and its surroundings.

Among the visitors were Munir Barakat, head of the Lebanese Left Movement, accompanied by businessman Muayyan Marai, in the presence of Sheikh Fadi Al-Attar, head of the Communication and Public Relations Committee in the Sectarian Council. Also present were expatriate Issam Hatoum from Quebec and his wife Ilham Abi Al-Mona. He also received Hajj Abu Ali Ahmad and Hussein Zaaiter.

Previously, he had received a delegation from Salima, including Mayor Qasim Al-Masri, Parish Priest Father Bio Soliman, Sheikh Mukram Al-Masri, and Vice-Patron of the Maronite Endowment Sami Mishalani. The delegation highlighted Salima Municipality's achievements and steps/projects aimed at enhancing local development and serving the town's residents. The meeting discussed the importance of strengthening communication and cooperation between religious authorities, consolidating values of love and mutual respect. The delegation informed the Sheikh Al-Aql of a practical plan to establish a national day for reconciliation in the Mountain, based on the belief that reconciliation is not merely a memory station but a sustainable approach built on dialogue, meeting, and preserving historical relationships among the region's sons.

The delegation hoped the launch would begin from Salima through a historic visit uniting the Sheikh Al-Aql and the Patriarch in the square of the Lamii Princes, located between the shrine of Sayeda Zahra Abi Al-Lam and St. John the Baptist Church. This scene symbolizes the unity and shared history of the Mountain, confirming that religious diversity is a source of richness and strength for Lebanese society, opening new horizons for future generations to consolidate a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and national partnership.

He also participated in a management meeting of "Al-Duha" magazine, attended by Editor-in-Chief Sheikh Esmat Al-Jardi, Brigadier General Dr. Ghazi Mahmoud, and Sheikh Khaldoun Al-Hassania.

He chaired the Administrative Committee meeting of the Sectarian Council, attended by its head Colonel Dr. Mansour Ishti and members Zaher Al-Aawar, Ayman Zain Al-Din, and Amer Sayagha.