Appointment of Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai as Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic
March 29, 2025, 9:32 am

Appointment of Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai as Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic

أسامة الرفاعي

On Friday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara issued a decision to appoint Sheikh Osama Al-Rifai as the Grand Mufti of the country, in a move aimed at "regulating religious discourse" and enhancing its role in building the future of Syria.

This appointment came at the conclusion of a conference that saw the establishment of the "Supreme Mufti Council," which will serve as the reference body for issuing religious fatwas.

President Al-Shara affirmed, through official platforms affiliated with the Syrian presidency, that the reconstruction of Syria relies on the efforts of its cadres, scholars, and citizens, emphasizing the importance of the role and responsibility of fatwas in constructing the new state, particularly after it has faced unqualified practices, necessitating a correction in direction and restoring the dignity of this high office.

Al-Shara added, "It was necessary to reinstate the position of Grand Mufti of the Syrian Arab Republic, after it was previously abolished, to be occupied today by a distinguished scholar from the best scholars of the Levant, Sheikh Osama bin Abdul Karim Al-Rifai, may God protect him."

He also stressed that issuing fatwas should be a collective responsibility, through a Supreme Council of Fatwa that undertakes the tasks of research and verification before issuing any fatwa, in pursuit of religious moderation and ensuring unity.

Al-Shara explained that a fatwa is "a great trust and a signature from God Almighty," noting that the Fatwa Council aims to establish a balanced religious discourse that combines authenticity and modernity, preserves national identity, and reduces conflicts that may lead to division.

The Fatwa Council includes 14 members representing various Syrian governorates, with its tasks involving issuing fatwas related to new issues and general matters, in addition to supervising and guiding local fatwa committees.

It is noteworthy that the position of Grand Mufti was previously held by Sheikh Ahmad Hassoun before it was abolished following a dispute between him and the Minister of Awqaf, leading to his arrest on Thursday at Damascus International Airport, as the new administration regards him as part of the former regime.

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