The Maronite League Condemns the Abuse Against Patriarch Al-Rahi and Calls on the Judiciary to Arrest and Hold Accountable Those Responsible

The Maronite League, headed by Engineer Maroun El Hélou, issued the following statement:

"In light of the abuses we witness against religious sites and symbols on social media, and given the lack of decorum and disrespect that this triviality and incitement represent for the Maronite Patriarchate and Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi personally and nationally, we place these transgressions before the competent judiciary, considering this statement a notification for swift action, necessary measures, and the arrest and accountability of those responsible.

The Maronite Patriarchate, a compass for Lebanon's sovereignty and pluralism, and an advocate for partnership values based on mutual respect, remains above any harm, and continues to be the strongest expression of Lebanon as an entity embracing all its children.

However, abuse against it is rejected and must not be tolerated, in order to preserve civil peace, safeguard common coexistence, and prevent the public discourse from sliding towards sedition and affronting sacred values. Therefore, the Maronite League calls on all concerned parties, especially the judicial and security agencies, to strictly enforce the applicable laws against anyone proven to be involved in these acts, and not to tolerate any transgression that violates dignities and religious symbols".

The League concluded by emphasizing that "the protection of religious symbols is an integral part of protecting Lebanon, the message, and that any infringement upon them is an infringement upon the national fabric, which necessitates a collective stand to deter these phenomena and preserve Lebanon's civilized image".