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

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..."


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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.