Priest's Killing in Lebanon's Jbeil District Stirs Sectarian Anger and Calls to Deport Syrians
Father Samir Daou was found dead at his home in Ain Jrain. Reports point to a Syrian farmhand, but the motive remains unclear.
See where this is ›AIN JRAIN, Lebanon —
Father Samir Daou, a Maronite Catholic priest who pastored the Hsoun and Ferhet parishes, was found dead at his home in the village of Ain Jrain, in Lebanon's Jbeil District, International Christian Concern reported Oct. 29. His phone signal reportedly went undetected around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and searches began after he was reported missing, ICC said.
See where this is ›The Jerusalem Post reported Nov. 1 that Daou was stabbed more than 20 times and that his wallet, car and clothes were taken. The Post said a Syrian Muslim he had hired to help with the olive harvest is allegedly responsible. It did not name him.
The killing has drawn public anger. Daou's family called it a “heinous crime,” according to L'Orient Today as cited by the Post. Lebanese singer Elissa wrote that “Speeding up the return of the displaced Syrians to their country has become an absolute necessity,” while an An-Nahar op-ed writer said the first duty falls on the state to enforce the law.
What we don't know yet: ICC said authorities had not released information on a suspect or a motive, and that they were reportedly examining whether the hired worker and the stolen car are connected to the killing. The Post quoted no Lebanese official. Some accounts have raised possible Islamic State involvement, which the Post presented only as a theory. Nothing reported so far establishes that Daou was targeted for his faith. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the details.
