When the Arabs come out of Hibernation

Our eyes have been directed with anxiety and hope towards Egypt for the past days, like they were directed towards Tunis before. Being proud of what the guys are doing over there is something beyond description. We've never thought that a day will come for us to witness something like this happening in an Arab country to make us feel "proud" of being "Arabs". We've always looked at ourselves as failures, not able to do anything useful for our nations and countries, not able to make any good change whatsoever, simply because we are afraid of saying NO . Now after decades of living under tyranny, oppression and injustice, "the youth" have finally decided that it's time for a CHANGE, a big one! And this time it's for them, the youth, to choose how and in what way this change is going to happen. It's up to them now to choose the lives they want to lead, the way they want to be treated, as humans that is, to break the chains they've been bound in forever. It's about time to smell liberty and fill their lungs with the breath of freedom!

We stood up for this revolution, we embraced it. It was like, deep inside, we've been longing for such a thing to happen since a long time. It's like, these guys, at Tahrir Square are speaking the mind of each one of us. They are representing us, and we are supporting them with all our mights, with our hearts, and prayers, trying our best to back them up against dictatorship, if not by being with them, which is something that many of us sincerely wish they can do, then through the internet and the social networks that are, undoubtedly, playing an important role in this glorious revolution. 

Bouazizi was the sparkle that triggered the revolution in Tunis, that spread afterward to other countries, mainly Egypt. While the Tunisian revolution ended up with the fleeing of the dictator to Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian Pharaoh, who has led Egypt for 30 years, will stay until September. Turning a deaf ear to the voices of his people and his allies that are asking him to step down, Mubarak is determined not to quit, causing more chaos and more bloodshed. More than 300 killed, thousands injured, hundreds captivated and tortured since the beginning of this revolution on the 25 of January 2011, revealing to the word the indescribable brutality of this corrupt regime.The regime that payed its thugs to attack and kill its own people who are there merely asking for their simplest rights in the most peaceful and civilized manner.

Despite all that, the Egyptian people, young and old, men and women, Muslims and Christians, stand united in the face of tyranny, fighting all attempts to kill their revolution, just to make us more proud. 

Tunisians and the Egyptians have taught the dictators a big lesson, we need more honorable and brave people like these so that all the corrupt regimes in our countries collapse one after another.

US positions warships near Lebanon

The US has sent three warships, including the USS Cole, to take up positions off the coast of Lebanon in a show of force over the ongoing political deadlock in the country.....

And what exactly is this supposed to mean?!

Resolve it. Solve it!

Our Parents couldn’t stop it in 1975, are we going to relive it in 2007?

"You may be feeling powerless in the midst of colors and slogans, propaganda and violence. You may be sitting at home anxious about your present and fearful for your future. Perhaps you have already turned off the news. There are ALWAYS alternative and peaceful channels to turn to. As concerned citizens we reject empty promises, propaganda, subliminal calls to violence, and sectarian rhetoric. We refuse civil war. Act immediately before it is too late."

Demand Civil Solutions

How many politicians does it take to screw up a country?

for full view, click the images.

The Lebanese never seized to amaze me with their creative ways in expressing their feelings and attitudes towards the horrible political, social and economic situation in the country. I've just came across this group of unaffilated concerned Lebanese citizens who are tired of being marganalized and ignored. RESOLVE IT. SOLVE IT are calling on other concerned citizens, regardless of their political affilation, to join them in taking a stand.

"On Saturday, February 10th at 2pm, we are organizing a human chain in Beirut to publicly demand an immediate and peaceful resolution to the political deadlock. We can no longer tolerate the growing violence leaving us anxious about our present and fearful for our future. Unhappy with the reckless discourse and actions of politicians, we refuse to be led toward instability and civil war. This is the reason why we are here today. "

"We call on the politicians to sit down and resolve this crisis. Compromise is not Failure. Resolve it, Solve it CREATE A SOLUTION THERE’S NO EXCUSE Demand CIVIL solutions NOW and say NO CIVIL WAR "

I wonder whether the voices of this group or that of March 11 group and Stop Sactarianism Campaign will ever get heard or taken into consideration by the politicians and consequently help in taking the country out of this crisis. Still, no doubt that what they're doing is much better than staying silent. All respect.

أحلى المرّين

image posted by a Lebanese blogger

A couple of people blamed me or drew my attention, to be more precise, to the fact that I blog about Lebanon more than I do about Palestine and Jordan, to the extent that some thought that I'm Lebanese. Shame on me I know, but come on, I live in Lebanon, bi qalb el 7adath ya3ni, and the latest events impose themselves that I cannot think of anything else to talk about. So, I can't be blamed, at least for now, can I?

Anyway, let's shift to the main issue…

Being non-Lebanese, I think that I can look at matters more objectively than a Lebanese citizen who belongs to or supports a certain party does, and who is more likely to look at matters from one perspective and follow his leaders blindly in most cases.

Since the assassination of Rafiq Al Hariri, things in Lebanon are becoming more and more complicated and confusing, until they reached this critical level. Those who intended to destroy the country, by getting rid of Al Hariri, apparently achieved their goal; and those who were trying to implant the seeds of hatred, sectarianism and bias among the Lebanese, obviously succeeded. Alas…

The followers (because they are far away from being leaders) of Lebanon are leading the country to the abyss. In a country like Lebanon, with the variety of its sects and religions, things cannot be solved this way. The only way to get out of this crisis is by dialogue, by understanding and cooperating, by love and care for the country and its people, not by selfishness, stubbornness, hatred, and protests. None of them really cares for the benefit of the country and the public, their own benefits always come first. Lebanon will never achieve its independence and sovereignty and stand on its two feet as long as its "followers" are nothing but pawns in the hands of certain countries, and consequently will always be living under some foreign domination. And eventually the poor public is the one who pays the price, as always.

Both the opposition and the government have dragged their supporters into a frenzy of sectarian animosity that is translated into violent verbal and physical attacks. Both of them have sunk into a very low level in their speeches whether in addressing their supporters or their opponents. The sad part is that the religious personages have also been dragged to this low level, and instead of hearing them calling for peace and love, they became an inseparable part of this vicious game, inciting the people against each other. Our Sheikhs, with all due respect, but Shame on you :)
If I were Lebanese, I will stand alone, I will be neutral. But if I had to choose between "a7la al morrayn", I will definitely stand with the opposition forces. Why? Ok let me tell you...

If I were to choose between between: 1-Samir Geagea, Foad Al Saynora and his ministers, Walid Jonblat, and Saad Al Hariri, and 2- Salim Al Huss, Omar Karami, Osama Saad, Nabih Birri, Hasan Nasrallah, Michael Aon, Sleiman Franjeyeh and Talal Arsalan. I will choose number 2.

If I were to choose between 1- the theif, the hypocrite, the dishonest, the criminal, the cheater and the kiddo, and 2- the honest, the patriotic, the loyal, and the nationalistic. Number 2 for sure.

If I were to choose between 1- the American (-->Israeli)+European domination, and 2- Iranian+ Syrian domination, I'll go for number 2.

If I were to choose between : 1- Israel's right to live in peace and kill the owners of the land and 2- Hezbollah's right to defend its land, its people and its freedom. Number 2 will be my choice.

If I were to choose between the one whose weapon killed thousands of the Lebanese innocent people and the one whose weapon was directed only towards the enemy, I'll choose the second one.

Not to mention that I hold a big admiration for Al Sayed Hasan Nasrallah, and I truely think that he is one of his kind, a respectful wise man, although he has been acting "unwisely" lately, I still love and respect him.

Anyway, these were my two cents, let me not go into more details. It's hard to predict where this crisis is leading to, and how they are going to put and end to it, who will win, and who will score more goals. Stay tuned :D

Breaking News: Lebanese minister Pierre Gmayel assassinated

Lebanese Christian cabinet minister Pierre Gemayel, an outspoken critic of Syria, was assassinated near Beirut on Tuesday, security sources said.
Gunmen rammed their car into Gemayel's vehicle, then leapt out and riddled it with bullets as his convoy drove through the Christian Sin el-Fil neighborhood, witnesses said. Gemayel, 34, was rushed to hospital where he later died of his wounds.
read more-->Reuters

I am speechless!!!!

6ale2 bil Talatah!!!

So, "situation in Lebanon has reached a divorce status" said Nabih Berri from Iran. He added that "I tried to find a remedy to the problem, but alas, we reached a point where divorce was inevitable."

LOL! Very funny! What a metaphor Berri came out with!

So true... the conflicting parties are just like two conflicting partners living under the same roof, until their life together becomes unbearable and they end up going to the last resort which is divorce. However, in the second case one of the two partners will leave the place for the other, but in Lebanon this solution will never work. It's impossible for one party to leave the country for the other, it's either one of them kill the other (and his is our fear), or they just y7o6o 3a3lon bi rason and go back to the dialogue table, and try to come up with a solution to this crisis that we've been suffering from since Al Hariri's assasination.

Now that they have hit a dead end; and the Shiites ministers resigned from the government as a first step, which will be followed by other steps including street protests and God knows what else, the other side of course threatened to go to the streets as well, which is likely to end up with violent confrontations.

Confrontations have already started to take place not only in the streets, but inside houses where a brother supports the red team, while his brother supports the yellow, the green, or maybe the orange one ;) . and the wheel keeps on turning, w Allah yostor ...

This disgusting situation brings to mind Fairouz's song:

يا بني أمي - جبران خليل جبران

في ظلام الليل أناديكم هل تسمعون

مات أهلي و عيونهم محدقة في سواد السماء

في ظلام الليل أناديكم هل تسمعون

مات أهلي و غمرت تلال بلادي الدموع و الدماء

الويل لأمة كثرت فيها طوائفها و قل فيها الدين ... الويل لها

الويل لأمة تلبس مما لا تنسج و تشرب مما لا تعصر ... الويل لها

و الويل لأمة مقسمة و كل ينادي انا أمة ... الويل لها

يا بني أمي الحق الحق أقول لكم

وطني يأبى السلاسل وطني أرض السنابل

وطني الفلاحون وطني الكرامون

وطني البناؤون و الغار و الزيتون

وطني هو الأنسان وطني لبنان

A great expresive poem by Khalil Gibran.

!تـــبـــا لـــكـــــم

تباً لكم،

تباً لكم ولطوائفكم ومذاهبكم، ولعشائركم وقبائلكم، ولأصولكم وفروعكم، ولأفخاذكم وأنسابكم، ولأشجار عائلاتكم.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم ولأحزابكم وحركاتكم، ولمنظماتكم وتياراتكم، ولهيئاتكم ونقاباتكم، ولجمعياتكم وتجمعاتكم، وللقاءاتكم وحواراتكم، ولممثليكم وطرشانكم.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم ولخطبكم وخطاباتكم، ولجمهوركم وجماهيركم، ولشوارعكم وساحاتكم، وليافطاتكم ولافتاتكم، ولبياناتكم وشعاراتكم، ولمناشيركم ومنشوراتكم، ولصراخكم وهتافاتكم، ولتظاهراتكم واعتصاماتكم، ولشبانكم وشيّابكم، ولمهرجاناتكم ومهرجيكم.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم ولمشاريعكم، ما هو مُعلن وما هو مضمر، ما اتضح وما غمض، ما ظهر منها وما استتر، ما هو خطي وما هو شفهي، ما تقولونه فوق الطاولة. وما تقولونه تحت الطاولة، ما تنمقونه مخاطبة للآخرين، وما ترددونه بلا تزويق ولا تنميق أمام جماعاتكم التي لا تجتمع إلا نكاية بشركائها في الوطن.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم، لخططكم ومخططاتكم، لإعلامكم وأعلامكم، ولراياتكم التي فيها من كل حدب ولون، إلا ألوان العلم الوطني الذي لا تتذكرونه إلا حين تريدون ستر عوراتكم وما أكثرها.

تباً لكم تباً لكم ولأناشيدكم وأغانيكم، لقصائدكم ورواياتكم، لأهازيجكم ومواويلكم، وكلكم يغني على ليلاه، وليلى تئن مريضة بعد أن نهشتها ذئاب مصالحكم وأنانياتكم وحولت نشيدها الوطني الى نشيج... وطني.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم ولعقولكم وأدمغتكم، ولنخاعكم الشوكي الجمعي والفردي، لأفكاركم وآرائكم، لنظرياتكم وتنظيراتكم، لمناظراتكم ومنظريكم، ولمناظركم البائخة التي لم تعد تعجب أحداً.

تباً لكم، تباً لكم ولما فيكم ولحاضركم ولما سوف يأتي من أيامكم وأفعالكم، لما فعلتموه، ولما لم تفعلوه بعد، ولما سوف تفعلونه. تباً لكم، الأمس، اليوم، وغداً. تباً لكم جميعاً، لا أستثني أحداً منكمتباً لكم، لأنكم أعطيتم وطناً، اسمه لبنان، لا تستحقونه.

زاهي وهبي

Amazing!

Zahi, you said it all! What's happening lately is shameful, extremely shameful!