The Wall Street Journal on Shi`ite Theology

It is funny when the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Times pontificate on matters of Islamic theology. Here, the Wall Street Journal was discussing Shi`ite theology: "Syed Ali Amine, the Shiite mufti -- or chief religious authority -- of Tyre and Mount Amel in the south of Lebanon..." In fact, Ali Al Amine was forced out of his position more than a year ago: so he is no more Muftitit of Tyre AND Jabal `Amil, as he is described here. He was a militant Hizbullah cleric allegedly giving fatwawas for kidnapping and murder back in the 1980s, and then became an Amal cleric in the 1990s and then was upset when he was passed over for the position of deputy chair of the Suprme Shi`ite Council, and then he discovered by Hariri and House of Sa`ud, which is his full time job now. In fact, his ouster was quite democratic: people just showed up at his office and asked that he be removed for his connections to Prince Muqrin becamse too clear for the people of the South. I am told that he no more attend funerals or wedding in Tyre becasue people ignore him completely or insult his Saudi sponsorship. (thanks G.)