Ali al-Amin Defends Patriarch al-Rai After Insults

Senior Shia scholar Sayyed Ali al-Amin visited the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai, at the patriarchal seat in Bkerke on Tuesday. Following the meeting, al-Amin expressed gratitude for the Patriarch's national stances, which he said aim to save Lebanon and preserve its coexistence.

Al-Amin condemned what he described as recent attacks on the Patriarch's high standing. "Those who have insulted him are small people who cannot diminish his stature," al-Amin said. "He is in the position of the great, from whose light we seek guidance."

Drawing a metaphor, al-Amin compared the Patriarch to a fruitful tree that is pelted but gives only good fruit in return. He quoted an old poet: "O thrower of the tall tree with your stone, have you not learned its morals from the tree? You throw at this tall tree, but it throws fruit at you."

The scholar affirmed that the Patriarch's lofty position cannot be harmed by "voices that express a bad culture" and do not represent the general national view that respects the Patriarch's high rank.