The distinguished Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Qabalan sent a high-profile political message to the Arab and Islamic countries, in which he called for reformulating regional relations away from American influence, considering that American bases in the Gulf and the region represent “the greatest security disaster” and that the solution lies in an Arab-Iranian rapprochement led by Riyadh and Tehran.
In a remarkable position, Qabalan said that “the Arab and Islamic countries have no interest except in a strong settlement that befits the radical identity of the peoples and countries of this region,” considering that Washington and Israel represent “the sponsors of international and regional strife” in the region.
He added that the continuation of the rivalry between Arab and Islamic countries “will turn into a long-term disaster,” calling for “strengthening the Arab-Islamic relationship” and reducing dependency on the United States, leading to “restricting American bases and getting rid of them.”
Qabalan considered that the results of the recent war showed “the devastation that befell American bases in the Middle East,” noting that these bases have turned into a “catastrophic security burden” on the Gulf and the region.
He also called on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to take the initiative towards rapprochement with Iran, saying that “a rift between the Gulf countries and Iran is suicide,” and considering that Saudi Arabia is capable of playing a pivotal role in this path.
He added, “The moment now sums up the history of a thousand future years,” calling on Riyadh to take action, stressing that Iran “is waiting for it halfway and more.”
In a direct criticism of the UAE and Bahrain, Qabalan said that the UAE is “suffering from a major slide” but can return to its “historical and moral origin,” while he warned the Bahraini regime against “pursuing Shiite religious scholars and putting them in prison,” considering that this “opens the doors of strife.”
He stressed that the interest of Bahrain and the Gulf lies in “Islamic unity” and rapprochement with Iran, not in “hostility and antagonism of internal components.”
He also stressed that “America today needs to protect the Gulf states and not the other way around,” considering that “the era of Gulf Americanization is on its way to historical collapse,” and that “Greater Israel was buried in the Lebanese border town of Khiam.”
Regarding the Lebanese issue, Qabalan considered that “southern Lebanon is engaged in the largest epic of steadfastness and sovereignty fighting in history,” attacking the Lebanese political authority, accusing it of “complete dependence on Washington.”
He said: “We will not accept the Zionization of Lebanon nor the passing of what serves Israel’s projects,” stressing that any major settlement between Riyadh and Tehran “will be directly reflected in Lebanon and the region.”
Qabalan concluded by stressing that “there is no security or stability in the region except by closing the American bases,” calling for building broad Arab-Islamic political and economic cooperation, saying that “Islam is the greatest guarantee for the peoples of the region.”
