“More than 35 years after the rise of the Lebanese left...

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“More than 35 years after the rise of the Lebanese left and the start of the civil war, people across Syria have risen up against decades of oppressive Baath party rule in their own country. Since demonstrations began in March, rights groups estimate that security forces have killed more than 1,000 protesters, and rights abuses are believed to be widespread.   

President Bashar al-Assad and his Baathist regime have drawn global condemnation for the brutal crackdown on demonstrators. However, Beirut-based activists, many who have worked together against issues like sectarianism and in support of Palestinian and other Arab revolts, now find themselves split over their positions on the protests in Syria.”

im leaving on friday. thats in like 4 days o:

Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque by sonofwalrus on Flickr.

that went by fast affffff

In the mountains of Lebanon

“People whom you will meet and, by saying nothing, will approve of their actions are responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. You will be remembered as someone who did collaborate with Apartheid.”

- Joey Ayoub to the co-founder of WikipediaHezbollah moving missile stock from Syria to Lebanon

Martyr square in 1991.

In the 19th century, the square was known as Place des Canons. During World War I, Lebanon was under Ottoman rule. In 1915, Beirut suffered a blockade by the Allies, which was intended to starve the Turks out. The effect was a famine, followed by plague, which killed more than a quarter of the population. A revolt against the Turks broke out which resulted in hanging of many nationalists on 6 May 1916 in the renamed Martyrs’ Square. Among them were Said akl, Father Joseph Hayek, Abdul Karim al-Khalil, Abed al-Wahab al-Inglizi, Joseph Bishara Hani, Mohammad and Mahmoud Mahmassani, Omar Hamad, Philip and Farid el-Khazen, and Sheikh Ahmad Tabbara.

Currently some remains of the old Cinema Opera building (now a Virgin Megastore) and the bronze Martyrs statue are the only features left of the Martyrs’ Square. The statue, riddled with bullet holes, has become a symbol for all that was destroyed during the Lebanese Civil War.

The Martyrs’ Square is a common location for protests and demonstrations, among the more notable demonstrations were the 2005 anti-Syrian protests of the Cedar Revolution and 2007 anti-government opposition protests led by Hezbollah and The Free Patrotic Movement.

I do not own these pictures, only found them at work in an old film.

In the mountains of Lebanon

Maya Diab, aka most beautiful Lebanese woman ever

(Photo: The Travel Case)

Artisans in Lebanon are a dime a dozen. If you are lucky, however, you stumble upon those precious gems whose story is as enticing as it’s manifestations, i.e. the product. Ghita is one such character I had the pleasure of meeting during my yearly pilgrimage to Starch, a boutique with a to die for concept likened to an incubator for young Lebanese designers. Ghita’s road to becoming an artisan is not unique per se. The majority of designers I met in Beirut typically studied something completely different in university, followed by taking a sharp turn towards their true calling. Story of our lives? What makes Ghita unique are the concepts and stories she’s made a grab for in the spirit of developing a very personal collection. 

Ghita, a Starch boutique baby, is soon to take her first steps on her own as a “grown up” accessories artisan. Recall I mentioned in my original Starch article that the boutique works very much like an art gallery. Burgeoning interior, clothes and accessories designers collectively showcase their work for a given amount of time before the next crop. Ghita was chosen to exhibit her accessories based on her portfolio from Domus Academy in Milan. After two successful collections to her name, literally, Ghita is on a roll. 

(Photo: Saddle Ring)

So what’s behind the collection? Shel Silverstein’s Edge of the World, if you will. Ghita took the notion behind the world being flat and challenged herself to question how flat materials take shape. How does it become voluminous and something of substance? These musings lent themselves to designing accessories, such as bags, that start off flat and then take shape through folding and layers. My favourite is the treasure chest in large and small. Below is the small version. I love how in each of Ghita’s designs on her website she brings you back to the concept in which she designed the bag; from flatness to folding. I urge you to visit her website to check out the rest of her “treasure chests”.

Maya Diab, aka most beautiful Lebanese woman ever

Byblos, Lebanon. 2005

Palestinian children in refugee camp. Beirut, Lebanon

Mountains in Lebanon. 2010

Byblos, Lebanon. 2005

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Sources close to Hezbollah say group may initiate war with Israel in bid to relieve pressure to topple Syria’s Assad; terror group ‘will not just watch as West brings Syrian president down, Lebanese official says

Lebanon’s Hezbollah is  preparing for a possible war with Israel to relieve perceived Western pressure to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, its guardian ally, sources close to the movement say.

The radical Shi’ite group is watching the unrest in neighboring Syria with alarm and is determined to prevent the West from exploiting popular protests to bring down Assad.

Hezbollah supported pro-democracy movements that toppled Western-backed leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, but officials say it will not stand idly by as international pressure mounts on Assad to yield to protesters.

It is committed to do whatever it takes politically to help deflect what it sees as a foreign campaign against Damascus, but it is also readying for a possible war with Israel if Assad is weakened.

“Hezbollah will never intervene in Syria. This is an internal issue for President Bashar to tackle. But when it sees the West gearing up to bring him down, it will not just watch,” a Lebanese official close to the group’s told Reuters.

“This is a battle for existence for the group and it is time to return the favor (of Syria’s support). It will do that by fending off some of the international pressure,” he added.

Radical change

Hezbollah and Syria have both denied that the group has sent fighters to support a military crackdown on the wave of protests against Assad’s rule.

Hezbollah believes the West is working to reshape the Middle East by replacing Assad with a ruler friendly to Israel and hostile to itself.

Analysts rule out the possibility of a full-scale regional war involving Syria, Iran and Lebanon on one side against Israel backed by the United States. A war pitting Hezbollah against Israel was more likely, they said.

“There might be limited wars here or there but nobody has the interest (in a regional war),” said Lebanese analyst Oussama Safa. “The region is of course heading towards radical change… How it will be arranged and where it will lead is not clear.”

Western intelligence sources say the movement’s arsenal has been more than replenished since the fighting ended, with European-led UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon powerless to prevent supplies entering mostly from Syria.

Tarnished image

In the meantime Hezbollah, which has praised other Arab uprisings and enjoys strong support among ordinary Arabs over its confrontations with Israel, has seen its image tarnished because of its support for Assad.

“The events in Syria have not impacted Hezbollah in a significant strategic sense, but have certainly put the party in an uncomfortable position,” said Elias Muhanna, a Middle East scholar at Harvard.

“The fact that Nasrallah has supported the regime’s war against the opposition in Syria while attacking similar regime actions in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, and Yemen has been pointed out by many as a blatant double standard.”

Hezbollah argues there is no contradiction in its position, saying Assad has popular support and is committed to reform.

“When the regime is against Israel and is committed to reforms then Hezbollah decision is to be by the side of the people and the leadership through urging them for dialogue and partnership,” the Lebanese official said.

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I love Beirut because...

Two women dressed up in men’s suits, c. 1920 (Marie al-Khazen)

#rawshe #Beirut #Lebanon (Taken with instagram)

#man #Jesus #statue #Lebanon (Taken with Instagram at ????? ?????)

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Don’t kill your language

Tyre, Lebanon

Location: Qadisha Valley, Lebanon

#beirutstreetart remixed w/ #lemecam #iphone4 #iphoneography #lebanon (Taken with Instagram at Sodeco Square)

Female Lebanese emcee Malikah.

#Israel invasion of #Lebanon in 1982. ???????? ?????????? ?????? ??? ????

I love Beirut because I see a girl in a mini skirt and her sister in a  Tchador.

I love Beirut because it is neither West nor East: it is both.

I love Beirut because you can party till 6 in the morning and not realize that it is Tuesday.

I love Beirut because in Beirut you can live as if you are going to die tomorrow and party as if you are going to live forever.

I love Beirut because I have never seen the sun this strong anywhere in the world.

I love Beirut because I can see 6,000 years of history.

I love Beirut because every Beiruti has a political opinion and will share it with you

I love Beirut for all the conspiracy theories and how many people actually  believe them.

I love Beirut because any night I can find a friend to go out with.

I love Beirut because I do not need to call my friends to go and see at home, I just stop by.

I love Beirut because as soon as I arrive at one of my friends’ houses their moms take me to the kitchen & introduce me to everything in the fridge.

I love Beirut because one can smell gardenia and jasmine.

I love Beirut because strawberries taste like strawberries & fruits taste like fruits.

I love Beirut because the food is so good that you end up gaining even as you’re trying to lose .

I love Beirut because Lebanese women are the most elegant women I have ever seen.

I love Beirut because everyone knows my name. (a la cheers)

I love Beirut because I don’t have to explain myself.

I love Beirut because of the traffic jams and the people you meet because of them.

I love Beirut because of the noise pollution from cars honking.

I love Beirut for the spirituality of the people whether Muslim or  Christian.

I love Beirut because I’m the first to call my Muslim friends on Ramadan and they are the first to call me on Easter.

I love Beirut because on May 1st I see Muslims visiting Harissa (statue of  the Virgin Mary ) just like I see Christians.

I love Beirut because on the 22nd of every month I see Muslims going to St. Charbel and believing that a miracle will happen.

I love Beirut because women look like they’ve just stepped off the pages of  Vogue.

I love Beirut because you eat to live and live to eat.

I love Beirut because you leave one cafe to go to another and can do this all day.

I love Beirut because all the Lebanese living outside want to come back and the Lebanese who are in Lebanon envy the ones who are living abroad.

I love Beirut because a girl or a guy can easily tell you I just had a couple of Lexo or Xanax as if they just had some gum.

I love Beirut because for every Lebanese we have a singer.

I love Beirut because the Lebanese star singers sing in nightclubs.

I love Beirut because women go into the swimming pool with full make up on.

I love Beirut because guys go in with their cigars.

I love Beirut because it has been destroyed 7 times in History and has risen.

I love Beirut because since 1975 the Beirutis have withstood the PLO, Syrians and the Israelis.

I love Beirut because the Beirutis will not accept anyone to occupy them and rule over them.

I love Beirut because we feel that it is better to die on our feet than to  live on our knees.

I love Beirut because each street is a two way street even if it’s officially one-way.

I love Beirut because one can park anywhere and not get a ticket.

I love Beirut because one can go as fast as his speedometer allows.

I love Beirut because MEA lands there.

I love Beirut because on MEA we can clap in unison when we are about to  land.

I love Beirut not because it is my city, but because it is everyone’s city.

I love Beirut because it welcomes every exiled freethinker,independent mind of the Arab world.

I love Beirut because we have hundreds of newspapers and our press is free.

I love Beirut because when I explain Beirut to my Western friends, my friends see the passion of Beirut in my eyes.

I love Beirut because when I tell my friends that I’m going to Beirut they tell me can you take me with you.

I love Beirut because we argue over who is going to pay the bill at a  restaurant since everyone wants to pay it.

I love Beirut because although everyone complains about ‘not making enough money’ everyone is living.

I love Beirut because we accept our differences as we disagree with each other.

I love Beirut because it serves as a beacon of freedom to the rest of the Arab world.

I love Beirut because to paraphrase what Gibran said about Lebanon ’ Had Beirut not been my city I would have chosen it to be.’

I love Beirut because there is no city like it.

I love Beirut because even if Beirut is being destroyed, it is still beautiful and will remain beautiful no matter how disfigured it is.

I love Beirut because although we’ve been knocked down numerous times, we never loose hope…

I love Beirut for no reason.

I love Beirut for all the reasons of the world.

sunrise in Lebanon

Lebanon PM Najib Mikati announced Monday a new Cabinet dominated by Hizbullah and its allies, giving Hizbullah’s patrons Syria and Iran greater sway in the Middle East. The terrorist group’s ascendancy is a setback for the US, which has provided Lebanon with $720 million in military aid since 2006 and has tried in vain to move the country firmly into a Western sphere and end Iranian and Syrian influence. It also underscores Iran’s growing influence in the region at a time when Washington’s is falling.  Members of the Hizbullah terror organization were planted among the hundreds of Syrian rioters who tried to breach Israel’s northern border on “Naksa day,” according to documents released by the IDF spokesperson’s office. (AP)

Beirut

The story for this post is very special to me, because it was written by my own mother. After some digging, I found out, from her obviously, that she actually kept a diary of everything that happened to her during the war. I asked her which one stood out more than the others, and she gave me this piece during the Israeli invasion of Beirut, in July 1982. What’s below is my own translation, under it is the original in Arabic (more or less). I hope you take the time to read it, because it truly is a story of almost mad heroism that I am proud to be at least genetically linked to. And I think that with the direction this country is headed, it’s very appropriate to remember the war, because this really should not be an option ever again…

It was a relatively quiet day and so I ventured out to buy some groceries. I took my eldest son of eight, Rabi’, to help me carry some of the things I bought. I couldn’t take my car for two reasons, the first is that the store was too close and the second was scarcity of petrol. We walked between piles of garbage, and all the while I was attempting to steer Rabi’ away from them. Having Rabi’ with me is a responsibility, for if I were alone, I wouldn’t have been so afraid. So I started talking to him about the war, answering his never-ending questions. I would suddenly go quiet thinking, “What if I return and my home was no longer there. This has happened to many people…” So I hasten my pace, attempting to dispel these morbid thoughts. “What if the planes bomb the grocery store, or the butcher, or the building facing ours…”

And I remembered yesterday’s incident at the bakery next to our building. People were standing in line early in the morning, when two of them started arguing. The argument escalated and guns were used. The bakery was bombed and many people died, including Mrs. Sinno, a young woman who was standing there holding her little boy’s hand. The blast threw little boy to the other side of the street and his mother was killed. I was terrified by these images and thoughts and started walking faster, when Rabi’ said “There is no shelling Mom, why are you hurrying?” “Nothing, I want to get there before they run out of meat and vegetables”. Rabi’ was skeptical but he walked. I slowed my pace to avoid more questions. We got our groceries and returned home.

I arrived home to find a call waiting for me. The teachers of Beit Atfal Assumoud (a humanitarian organization that works with Palestinian refugees) were waiting for me at the union to give them their monthly salaries. I called back and said that I would come. I fed my children and started to leave to tend to my other duties. As soon as I grabbed the car keys, the bombing started. “It’s only battleships.” I thought to myself. True. But the union building directly faces the sea, so does the street I need to go through to get to it. I did not tell anyone about the location of the union. And despite my mother’s pleading, my mind was made up. I have to go.

I left, and it was one of the few times when I felt frightened. What if I get hit by a bomb? Would they recognize me? Who would carry my body? What would become of my children? I did not show my fear and drove on carefully, so that if I am faced with a bomb, I’ll know which way to swerve. As if all those who were killed died because they were driving fast. Suddenly, I hear an explosion nearby. I arrive at the union and the shelling intensified. They said “Don’t be afraid, a bomb fell close by but in the other street.” Another bomb could be heard in the direction of my home. I ran to the phone to make sure my family was OK and my mother yelled “Where are you?! There is shelling here! Please be careful!” and then started to cry. “Don’t be afraid” I muttered. How could she not be afraid? Sometimes, we say things we don’t really mean… just hope. I went into a frenzy. If only I hadn’t insisted. They will say that she died because of her madness, recklessness. If only she had waited a little longer. If only she had left a little earlier. I dispelled my fears, paid the teachers’ salaries and took their signatures. If those teachers did not desperately need these menial amounts of money to feed their children, and all of them are refugees, they would not be waiting for hours under this shelling. I should have come no matter what.

I rushed to my car, not sure if the beating I hear are those of my heart or the bombs falling everywhere. I stopped in front of my father-in-law’s house to pick up my 2-year-old daughter, Tala. I carried her without a word and ran downstairs, hearing their voices behind me at every step. “Be careful. The shelling is intense. Call us when you arrive.” I put Tala in the car and almost fell to the ground while carrying her. Finally, I was in my car, driving the empty streets, except for a few crazy people, and those, like me, who had no choice but to leave. As I arrived at the police station in our street, I saw a bomb fall right in front of me, smoke billowing where it hit. It is our building… I don’t know how I stopped the car, carried my daughter and ran with her, staying close to the walls. I didn’t forget to stick to the walls, because they say its’s safer.

The smoke was a little further away from our home and so I ran into the building. At that moment, I didn’t care which building fell or which apartment burnt, may God keep everyone safe. I was reassured, and I need to reassure my family…

Awesome! Here’s how you handle an interview on a Murdoch media property. George Galloway on the Israel-Lebanon conflict.

George Galloway Savages SKY NEWS! (by djandiiiviper)

i’m borrowing internet right now, but i wanted all of you to know i’m alive and well in lebanon. had an amazing wedding last night. more on that when i find better internet. ill add some things to the queue in the meantime.

-marc

Youmna Saba - Fala Tahremni (So Don’t Deny Me)

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Favourite song from this Lebanese singer-songwriter’s debut album, Min Aafsh el Beit (2008).

Twang.

Check your tyres. Save a life.
Simple yet effective.

#Family #sunset #Edie #Sands , #Lebanon (Taken with Instagram at Edie Sands)

Sidon Sea Castle (Arabic: ???? ???? ??????? Kalaat Saida al-Bahriya) is a castle in Sidon, Lebanon. It was built by the Crusaders in 1228 on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. A climb to the top leads to the roof where there is a good view of the port and the old part of the city.

sunrise in Lebanon

You know you're Lebanese when:

Broumana

Hezbollah sweep Lebanon elections

Fadl Shaker (Arabic: ??? ????)  Lebanese singer 

Euphoria Summer @ #Orchidresort in Jiyeh #Lebanon (Taken with Instagram at Orchid - Private Beach Club)

You woke up as the sun was rising over your beloved city, tinting the sky a peachy pink, the smog...“The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its desire to remain a partner to Lebanon..."


:

Iran Hails New Hezbollah-Dominated Cabinet In Lebanon 

Young soldier in the Lebanese civil war.

Em Welady - Fares Karam

takemeback.takemeback.takemeback.takemeback.

1.. At weddings, it takes the bride and groom four hours to kiss all the guests.

2.. You pity anyone who is not an Arab and think all other cultures are “morally corrupt”.

3.. You brag about your kids even if they are bad

5.. One satellite dish on your roof isn’t enough…you need at least two of them.

6.. You say the letter “H” like “etch”.

7.. You put olive oil on EVERYTHING and brag about how healthy it is.

8.. Three or more relatives live in your neighbourhood.

9..Your favourite food is grape leaves (Warrak Ghaneb), but you are embarrassed to tell your friends that you eat leaves for dinner.

10.. You cook a meal that lasts three days.

11.. You inherited or will inherit land in Lebanon.

12.. You have fruit trees in your backyard and when there in season you live on them.

13.. Your aunt always asks you when she can dance at your wedding.

14.. Your Father swears at you with words that effect himself (Yilaan Abouk.)

15.. You play cards till the break of dawn.

16.. You NEVER run out of “Bizzir” (pumpkin seeds).

17.. You can’t have a meal without KHEBAZ (Leb bread).

18.. If you’re an Arab woman, you dye your hair an obviously fake shade of blond that is non-existent in nature but swear that it’s natural.

19.. You feel proud when someone famous or a celebrity has ANY Lebanese blood in them. (Shakira, Salma Hayek, the big nun in sister act)

20.. You teach your Anglo friends Arabic words (mostly bad ones) and feel proud when they use them in conversations.

21.. Your Mom has a creative nickname for you like “Susu” “Natoosheh” or “Googoo”.

22.. You have someone tell you your fortune through your coffee cup.

23.. You say “Bolice” for “Police”.

24.. If your a single Arab guy you always tell women that you own your own business even though you wash dishes at City Extra.

25.. You get really excited and call your whole family to the room when there is a special or a documentary on Lebanese on SBS or ABC.

26.. Members of your family start to come over your house at 11:00PM and don’t leave until 3:00am.

27.. You are awaken at night by a member of your family yelling over the phone to overseas.

28.. It doesn’t even cross your mind NOT to B-B-Q at two in the morning……. on your front porch.

29.. The say “Wallah” after every sentence.

30.. If you’re an arab woman, you think professional non-Leb belly dancers are hysterical.

31. You always know everyone arab and most of the time your related to them

44.even when your not hungry your mum insists you eat a full meal.

32. Your parents always tell you stories of back home to make you feel greatful for what you have here like: “When i was your age i had to walk in snow up to my waist carring my brother and sister on my shoulders for 20km to get to school each day, and you complain about the bus?”

33. All problems are solved with a kiss from mum. And another bowl of food.

34. all males own at least one white bonds singlet.

35. All arabs know every thing about everything and if you try to challenge that you often don’t wake up the next morning in one piece.

36. You can abuse an arab but if you say anything against their mum you better run….fast.

37. All lebanese mums cook for three weeks before any event and often have two freezers.