Curtain Call: 2013
A recurring theme in Lebanese politics is the elimination of politicians by assassinating them, needless to say that the collateral damage is often unfortunate civilians passing through the streets. Perhaps those civilians are graced with the fact that they die as heroes; however, their lives are taken in vain. These heroes leave behind a legacy of sectarian strife that has encapsulated Lebanon for three decades thus far. It only confirms that the Lebanese people cannot entrust the state with their lives and their prosperity. Again and again, innocent people pay the price.
The last days of December were indeed a difficult time for many in Lebanon. The assassination of Mohamed Chatah and innocent civilians on December 27th, 2013, felt like an episode of déjà vu. Was it indeed happening again? Had we not learned from the mistakes of the past? Putting aside what the involved political sects are fighting over, the terrorism incorporated into their political agendas is uncalled for. The problem with terrorism is that it only leaves behind bitterness and an incentive for revenge. Chatah was killed because of his political affiliation and because of the ideas put forth by his group. Indeed, being a politician entails such a risk. Unfortunately, another victim of Chatah’s assassination was sixteen year old Mohamed Al-Shaar. The episode on December 27th shows precisely how the legacy of the civil war is coming back to haunt Lebanon’s youth today. In an anonymous bid to assassinate a political activist (namely, Chatah), the country has lost human capital for the future. Mohamed Al Shaar could have made a difference; he could have become a vehicle for a change and helped his generation build a better life for our people. Yet, politicians at present are short sighted. They are gripped on the problems from our past and, as a result, are compromising on the sustainability of our future. It is not a coincidence that most of the elderly in Lebanon live in solitude while their children are working and living in the Gulf or in the West. Why would the people of Lebanon want their children to suffer the same fate as Mohamed Al-Shaar? As a result, Lebanon is suffering from a severe brain drain. Our doctors, engineers, lawyers and financiers choose to thrive abroad.
There is a political phenomenon in Lebanon that has emerged in the last few decades. It is a form of religious campaigning, whereby political factions gather support by disguising their political objectives behind the banner of religion. They rally the naïve and the juvenile behind them; convincing them they are soldiers of God and are fighting to protect ‘religion.’ Yet, to carry out this sacred mission, they kill the religious and the pious and the innocent. There are also some politicians in Lebanon that have adopted the ‘with us or against us’ ideology that is inherently divisionary, hence creating a dichotomy of ‘us’ versus ‘them.’ How can we expect negotiation on such a platform? The purpose of my piece is not to point fingers at who is responsible for the bombings and assassinations that occur across Lebanon today. I believe Lebanese politicians have engaged in a ‘blaming game’ that has tired and exhausted the people long enough. My purpose is to convince others that succumbing to the dogmas of political groups in Lebanon is harming the political freedom of the people.
At the start of 2014, here are some New Year resolutions that I believe some individuals in Lebanon could benefit from:
1. I hope that those that blindly follow will have the courage to open their eyes.
2. I hope that those who rally behind a leader question and evaluate the dogmas that have been imposed on them.
3. I hope that those who believe that they fight in the name of their religion do not use their religion to fight in vain.
And with this, cue the curtain call for 2013. Perhaps a new year will bring more prosperity and enlightenment. I send my deepest condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones to the terrorism that is engulfing our country.
N.C
A recurring theme in Lebanese politics is the elimination of politicians by assassinating them, needless to say that the collateral damage is often unfortunate civilians passing through the streets. Perhaps those civilians are graced with the fact that they die as heroes; however, their lives are taken in vain. These heroes leave behind a legacy of sectarian strife that has encapsulated Lebanon for three decades thus far. It only confirms that the Lebanese people cannot entrust the state with their lives and their prosperity. Again and again, innocent people pay the price.
The last days of December were indeed a difficult time for many in Lebanon. The assassination of Mohamed Chatah and innocent civilians on December 27th, 2013, felt like an episode of déjà vu. Was it indeed happening again? Had we not learned from the mistakes of the past? Putting aside what the involved political sects are fighting over, the terrorism incorporated into their political agendas is uncalled for. The problem with terrorism is that it only leaves behind bitterness and an incentive for revenge. Chatah was killed because of his political affiliation and because of the ideas put forth by his group. Indeed, being a politician entails such a risk. Unfortunately, another victim of Chatah’s assassination was sixteen year old Mohamed Al-Shaar. The episode on December 27th shows precisely how the legacy of the civil war is coming back to haunt Lebanon’s youth today. In an anonymous bid to assassinate a political activist (namely, Chatah), the country has lost human capital for the future. Mohamed Al Shaar could have made a difference; he could have become a vehicle for a change and helped his generation build a better life for our people. Yet, politicians at present are short sighted. They are gripped on the problems from our past and, as a result, are compromising on the sustainability of our future. It is not a coincidence that most of the elderly in Lebanon live in solitude while their children are working and living in the Gulf or in the West. Why would the people of Lebanon want their children to suffer the same fate as Mohamed Al-Shaar? As a result, Lebanon is suffering from a severe brain drain. Our doctors, engineers, lawyers and financiers choose to thrive abroad.
There is a political phenomenon in Lebanon that has emerged in the last few decades. It is a form of religious campaigning, whereby political factions gather support by disguising their political objectives behind the banner of religion. They rally the naïve and the juvenile behind them; convincing them they are soldiers of God and are fighting to protect ‘religion.’ Yet, to carry out this sacred mission, they kill the religious and the pious and the innocent. There are also some politicians in Lebanon that have adopted the ‘with us or against us’ ideology that is inherently divisionary, hence creating a dichotomy of ‘us’ versus ‘them.’ How can we expect negotiation on such a platform? The purpose of my piece is not to point fingers at who is responsible for the bombings and assassinations that occur across Lebanon today. I believe Lebanese politicians have engaged in a ‘blaming game’ that has tired and exhausted the people long enough. My purpose is to convince others that succumbing to the dogmas of political groups in Lebanon is harming the political freedom of the people.
At the start of 2014, here are some New Year resolutions that I believe some individuals in Lebanon could benefit from:
1. I hope that those that blindly follow will have the courage to open their eyes.
2. I hope that those who rally behind a leader question and evaluate the dogmas that have been imposed on them.
3. I hope that those who believe that they fight in the name of their religion do not use their religion to fight in vain.
And with this, cue the curtain call for 2013. Perhaps a new year will bring more prosperity and enlightenment. I send my deepest condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones to the terrorism that is engulfing our country.
N.C