Sayyed Fadlullah: We need politicians and slogans that are frank, transparent and righteous, since the political volatility has corrupted both the voter and the political life itself.

Asked in his weekly seminar the following question : How do you view The Islamic view towards tactical Political slogans?

The Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah, said:

Islam has always emphasized that defining any political goal should be based on the Islamic doctrine, being an instrument that aims to change the current state in a society towards an Islamic conception of life that provides justice and happiness to man.

Therefore, it is imperative that this slogans should be as clear as the Islamic concepts. It could not be made to serve specific and temporary goals, for it would hurt the purity of the Islamic concepts.

In this respect, the problem is that the Islamic issues are being exploited turning into a commodity in the political market that boasts the image of politicians. Such an attitude will mean, on the long run, that the Islamic concepts will no longer maintain their purity and authenticity in the eyes of the public; for example exploiting the concept of religious duty in the political front, will weaken its strength in the conscience of believers.

But this does not mean that we do not want the people to be Islamically aware so as to choose their representatives on a solid political and ideological ground. But as we call for necessity of political correctness of any political slogan, we believe that it ought to remain Islamic and messianic in its content.

We believe that the slogan has an educational role that surpasses the stage it isbeing raised in. It might even transcend the political period it is made in to the strategic sphere. Any flexibility, although commendable, should conform to the strategic goals. Hence, it should be the result of a careful and thorough study of all circumstances, lest it would have counterproductive results, especially among the Muslim youth and their idealism.

Moreover, those who make the slogans should understand should keep in mind that their slogans might either build the mentality of the coming generations on solid ground, or opt to use the public’s emotional response to make them feel that reaching the desired goals is within their instant reach. In this case when the public will be struck by the hard facts, they will be confused and even lost.

Thus, we call for the rationalization of slogans, and for liberating them from any sectarian fanaticism or political hatred that might burn the entire country.

The problem we live in Lebanon and the region lies in the big distance that separates between the slogan and the practice that turns it into a decoration or a song that all parties may join hands in building fences that would hinder its application.

Political practice in our countries have undermined the political slogans that are raised by both the Islamists and the secularists. It have undermined the principles which were sacrificed on the alter of private and individual interests. As a result, the people have become more accustomed to corruption and more willing to accept it, since they have been raised in an environment that only pays lip service to such big themes, as justice and reform.

This gap between the purity of the discourse and the slogan, and the haphazardness of the practice has produced political tragedies, that are being planned to continue as they are reproduced by the same political elite of failures whose aim is to plunder the country and secure foreign tutelage on the one hand, and perpetuating the economic and political crisis on the other.

We need politicians and slogans that are frank, transparent and righteous, since the political volatility has corrupted both the voter and the political life itself.