Martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri Hall inaugurated inside Muhammad al-Amin Mosque

MP Saad Hariri: Rafik Hariri wanted to have Beirut as capital of coexistence, dialogue

Chief of the al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc legislator Saad Hariri inaugurated the Martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri Hall inside Muhammad al-Amin Mosque in the central part of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

The inaugural ceremonies were attended by incumbent Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, Speaker of the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies (parliament) Nabih Berri, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Awqaf (Endowments), Dawa (Call) and Guidance Sheikh Saleh bin Abdelaziz Al Sheikh and Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdelaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja as well as religious figures from different Arab countries.

Deputy Hariri, delivering a speech on the occasion, said that Rafik Hariri wanted to restore Beirut as a city of coexistence among all Lebanese and Islamic dialogue and one resembling a main gate for the Arabs to interact with all civilizations.

"Here's Beirut shouldering its responsibility and offering a pulsating model of coexistence whose protection has become a national duty," he said.

"We seek this day to become a power of moderation in Lebanon to send a message to the whole world. We, God wiling, will do all that we can in order to turn over a new leaf in which all Lebanese are provided a chance for solidarity and moderation."

"The objective of Rafik Hariri behind building this mosque was not just adding another Muslim house of worship. He wanted it to be a symbol of reconstruction of the capital city he loved. By building this edifice, Hariri wanted to make the dream that tickled the fancies of the Beirut people for more than 50 years come true," Saad Hariri added.

Several speeches were delivered in the inaugural ceremonies that called for enhancing the culture of dialogue and coexistence among all Lebanese groups and stressed the need to cement Lebanese national unity and fraternal bonds among all groups in the country.

The speeches also underlined that Lebanese Muslims have always believed that Lebanon can never survive as a nation and state unless everyone accepts the value of living together and clings to the Taif constitution.