ALEPPO, Syria — The visit of the head of the opposition Syrian Islamic Council (SIC) to Azaz, which is under the control of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Aleppo countryside in northwestern Syria, sparked a wide debate among Syrians due to the statements that the sheikh made as part of his sermon in one of the Azaz mosques.

On Aug. 5, Osama al-Rifai, head of the SIC, arrived in northern Aleppo countryside from Turkey, in coordination with the FSA-affiliated Sham Front. Rafei met with officials in civil associations and factional leaders and visited the University of Aleppo in the opposition-held areas. He also laid the foundations of the SIC building in Azaz, which is now home to the headquarters and offices of most Syrian opposition associations, including the Syrian National Coalition and the Ministry of Defense in the opposition’s Syrian Interim Government.

On Aug. 7, Abo Ahmad Nour, head of the Sham Front, tweeted, “We are honored to receive His Eminence Sheikh Rifai, head of the SIC, and the honorable trustees of the council. It is a blessed step taken by the distinguished gentlemen to strengthen the link between the institutions of the military and civil revolution and their authority represented by the council.”

An SIC official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “The visit aims to strengthen the role of the Islamic Council as an authority in opposition areas. The council will have its permanent headquarters in Azaz and will work to increase cohesion and communication with decision-makers to improve the situation in these areas and strengthen the work of the committees that seek reform and redress grievances.”