Institutional Memory and the Authority's Milestones: A Timeline Since 2012
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4 min read • Smart built-in readerFounding Era and Inaugural Statement (May–June 2012)
Late May 2012 marked the official launch of the Association in the capital, Beirut, gathering hundreds of scholars from every corner of Lebanon. This was followed by the release of the founding statement on 1 June 2012. The priorities of this phase centered on unifying the scholars' voice and discourse, and on establishing a credible reference body capable of championing Muslim causes amid a deeply turbulent regional and domestic landscape.
The Syrian Uprising and the Humanitarian Relief File (2012 and Beyond)
The fallout from the Syrian crisis quickly became a defining preoccupation of the Association. It adopted unequivocal positions in support of the Syrian people and their legitimate demands, while orchestrating large-scale relief campaigns to receive displaced families in Akkar, Tripoli, and the Bekaa Valley. Medical and food assistance was channeled to those in need, alongside orphan sponsorship programs rolled out in partnership with charitable and civil society organizations.
The Case of Sheikhs Ahmad Abd al-Wahid and Muhammad Mur'ab in Akkar
The Commission pursued with steadfast resolve and judicious foresight the killing of Sheikh Ahmad Abd al-Wahid and his companion Muhammad Mur'ab at the al-Kwaykhat checkpoint in Akkar in May 2012. It worked to calm the streets and avert any slide into sectarian strife, while insisting on a full judicial process to secure accountability. It likewise elevated the plight of Islamist detainees and prisoners' rights to the forefront of its human rights agenda.
The Bombings of Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam Mosques in Tripoli (August 23, 2013)
A painful and watershed episode: two car bombs struck worshippers as they emerged from Friday prayers at the Al-Taqwa Mosque (led by Sheikh Salem al-Rafei, a Commission member) and the Al-Salam Mosque (led by Sheikh Bilal Baroudi, a Commission member). The terrorist attack claimed the lives of dozens of worshippers and wounded hundreds more. The Commission spearheaded the popular and legal response, underscoring an unwavering commitment to civil peace and demanding that those responsible be identified and brought before the Judicial Council.
National and Humanitarian Mediations and the Prevention of Bloodshed
The Authority played pivotal roles in bold humanitarian mediation efforts during the Ersal crisis and the border clashes, with its leaders and scholars risking their lives to safeguard civil peace, secure the release of military personnel and hostages, and ease the suffering inflicted upon无辜 civilians caught in the crossfire.
Reform Initiatives and the Modernization of Religious Institutions and Dar al-Fatwa
The Authority became deeply engaged in a sweeping scholarly movement to reform Dar al-Fatwa and the Higher Islamic Sharia Council, advocating for stronger institutional performance, the independence of religious endowments (Awqaf), broader representation of scholars and experts, and shielding Dar al-Fatwa from political exploitation and instrumentalization.
Championing Palestine, Safeguarding the Family, and Driving Institutional Digital Transformation
The Authority continued to spearhead demonstrations and solidarity campaigns in support of Gaza, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa Mosque, while launching family-awareness initiatives aimed at preserving Islamic values within Lebanese society. This culminated in the adoption of a comprehensive strategic media roadmap and a sweeping digital transformation, positioning the Authority as a credible, authoritative scholarly voice.