Libya PM urges ‘Awqaf’ not to interfere in Dar al-Ifta’s internal affairs

The Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah called on the Head of Awqaf Authority, Mohammed Al-Abani, to work within the limits of the Authority’s tasks and not to overstep to the tasks and work of Fatwa House (Dar al-Ifta), especially regarding giving fatwa, consultation, and religious advice, which are an integral part of Fatwa House’s tasks as per the law.

Awqaf Authority has been taking over some of Fatwa House’s rightful tasks and work, including when it set a date for Eid Al-Fitr in 2020 after the Fatwa House’s announcement.

Awqaf Authority’s Head, Mohammed Al-Abani, is part of Selafisf Madkhali section and has been appointed by the ex-Head of Presidential Council, Fayez Al-Sarraj, in what was seen as a move against the Fatwa House that has been outspoken against Presidential Council policies at the time.

The Government of National Accord remained in favor of Awqaf Authority even at the time of Haftar’s attack on Tripoli, when the Fatwa House supported the government and its Volcano of Rage operation against Haftar’s forces, knowing that Awqaf Authority didn’t publicly announce its rejection of Haftar’s war until some months later in a mediocre statement responding to its counterpart in eastern Libya after it called the Tripoli-based Authority kharijites for not supporting Haftar.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that the Government of National Unity didn’t issue an order of replacing the Head of the Awqaf Authority, it is now not supported by the government as it used to be at the time of Al-Sarraj government.