By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 6 July 2014:
The Scholars Association of Libya has condemned the attacks targeting moderate preachers, imams and sheikhs across . . .[restrict]the country.
Religious leaders continue to fall prey to intimidation, threats, kidnappings and assassinations, the Association said today. It added that these actions were only causing the security situation to deteriorate further.
The protest by the scholars followed the most recent incident, involving the kidnapping of the Sufi imam Tarek Abbas. Abbas was abducted in front of his home, near Abu Manjel mosque in downtown Tripoli, just after Fajr prayers on 4 July.
Abbas, known in Tripoli as an orator and Quranic teacher, was said to have boldly criticized the actions of the Matiga militia. Some believe that this militia is responsible for the kidnapping, though this has not been proven.
The scholars called on the Tripoli Council and the capital’s Local Crisis Committee to take full responsibility for the safety of Abbas and to bring his kidnappers to justice. [/restrict]