Monday
Jul122010
UPDATED "Praising Fadlallah" Follow-Up: The Public Apology of the British Ambassador
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 10:37
UPDATED 12 July: Frances Guy, Britain's Ambassador to Lebanon, has now paid public penance for her original comments --- now removed by the Foreign Office as incompatible with British policy --- on the death of Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah.
Guy's latest entry in her Foreign Office blog, "The Problem with Diplomatic Blogging", no longer makes any reference to Fadlallah and the possibilities of inter-faith discussion, "a real debate, a respectful argument" and "leav[ing] his presence feeling a better person". Instead:
In our coverage of the firing of CNN editor Octavia Nasr over her Twitter comment offering "sadness" for the passing of the late Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah and her respect for him, we noted that --- before Nasr's comments --- the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Frances Guy, had offered her own praise for the cleric on her blog on the Foreign Office's pages. The entry was titled, "The Passing of Decent Men". We later noted that, with Nasr gone, pressure was building on the British Government to denounce Guy's words.
Well, well, looks like Foreign Secretary William Hague has courageously ordered the removal of the blog entry. Before he did so, however, The Guardian of London saved a copy:
One of the privileges of being a diplomat is the people you meet; great and small, passionate and furious. People in Lebanon like to ask me which politician I admire most.
It is an unfair question, obviously, and many are seeking to make a political response of their own. I usually avoid answering by referring to those I enjoy meeting the most and those that impress me the most. Until yesterday my preferred answer was to refer to Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, head of the Shia clergy in Lebanon and much admired leader of many Shia muslims throughout the world. When you visited him you could be sure of a real debate, a respectful argument and you knew you would leave his presence feeling a better person. That for me is the real effect of a true man of religion; leaving an impact on everyone he meets, no matter what their faith.
Sheikh Fadlallah passed away yesterday. Lebanon is a lesser place the day after, but his absence will be felt well beyond Lebanon's shores. I remember well when I was nominated ambassador to Beirut, a Muslim acquaintance sought me out to tell me how lucky I was because I would get a chance to meet Sheikh Fadlallah. Truly he was right. If I was sad to hear the news I know other peoples' lives will be truly blighted. The world needs more men like him willing to reach out across faiths, acknowledging the reality of the modern world and daring to confront old constraints.
May he rest in peace.
Guy's latest entry in her Foreign Office blog, "The Problem with Diplomatic Blogging", no longer makes any reference to Fadlallah and the possibilities of inter-faith discussion, "a real debate, a respectful argument" and "leav[ing] his presence feeling a better person". Instead:
UPDATED Middle East: CNN Senior Editor Fired over Twitter Remark about Lebanon’s Sheikh Fadlallah
I have no truck with terrorism wherever it is committed in whoever’s name. The British Government has been clear that it condemns terrorist activity carried out by Hizballah. I share that view....
I have spent most of my career in the Arab world working to combat terrorism, and the extremism and prejudice which can fuel it. I am sorry that an attempt to acknowledge the spiritual significance to many of Sayid Fadlallah and the views that he held in the latter part of his life has served only to further entrench divisions in this complex part of the world. I regret any offence caused.
In our coverage of the firing of CNN editor Octavia Nasr over her Twitter comment offering "sadness" for the passing of the late Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah and her respect for him, we noted that --- before Nasr's comments --- the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Frances Guy, had offered her own praise for the cleric on her blog on the Foreign Office's pages. The entry was titled, "The Passing of Decent Men". We later noted that, with Nasr gone, pressure was building on the British Government to denounce Guy's words.
Well, well, looks like Foreign Secretary William Hague has courageously ordered the removal of the blog entry. Before he did so, however, The Guardian of London saved a copy:
One of the privileges of being a diplomat is the people you meet; great and small, passionate and furious. People in Lebanon like to ask me which politician I admire most.
It is an unfair question, obviously, and many are seeking to make a political response of their own. I usually avoid answering by referring to those I enjoy meeting the most and those that impress me the most. Until yesterday my preferred answer was to refer to Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, head of the Shia clergy in Lebanon and much admired leader of many Shia muslims throughout the world. When you visited him you could be sure of a real debate, a respectful argument and you knew you would leave his presence feeling a better person. That for me is the real effect of a true man of religion; leaving an impact on everyone he meets, no matter what their faith.
Sheikh Fadlallah passed away yesterday. Lebanon is a lesser place the day after, but his absence will be felt well beyond Lebanon's shores. I remember well when I was nominated ambassador to Beirut, a Muslim acquaintance sought me out to tell me how lucky I was because I would get a chance to meet Sheikh Fadlallah. Truly he was right. If I was sad to hear the news I know other peoples' lives will be truly blighted. The world needs more men like him willing to reach out across faiths, acknowledging the reality of the modern world and daring to confront old constraints.
May he rest in peace.