Shirin from Lebanon

Thursday, May 10, 2007

In Memory of one of Lebanon's Martyrs of Journalism

On May 3rd, 2006 during a ceremony held on World Press Freedom Day by UNESCO Beirut, a torch was lit in commemoration of the last fallen journalist Gebran Tueni.
As an artist I sometimes let my mind wander and I daydream about a different reality I would like to see for my country and the Lebanese nation.
When I read biographies of people like Gebran Tueni it's almost impossible to believe this was a real person and the things written in his biography did actually take place. It's like some of my day dreams came true.
A respected journalist, son of publishing magnate, and former statesman who served as an ambassador, a minister, and a member of Parliament and represented Lebanon at the United Nations. Tueni studied in France, returned to Lebanon and became a lead editorialist in An-Nahar newspaper.
The main thing that jumps to my mind when I hear the name Tueni is his part and mainly his vocal drive to free Lebanon from Syrian occupation, and especially his courage to speak up against Syria whilst still residing in Lebanon.
The massive car blast on the 12th of December, 2005 was the only way the goal of the Syrian-installed regime to silence the press could be achieved.
At the ceremony a book named "One Hundred Years of Red Ink", a commemoration for all assassinated Lebanese journalist over the last decade, was handed to journalists and students. The book covers the history of press freedom violations in Lebanon after many journalists had to pay a price to mark and defend press freedom in Lebanon. I feel sad we have such a history, and enough to fill the pages of an entire book.
Tueni is credited for fueling the momentum of demonstrations which culminated in the one-million-strong march on Martyr's Square on March 14, 2005 and for turning the tide against Syria. During the demonstrations, Tueni and his followers would take the following oath: "We swear by God Almighty, Muslims and Christians, to forever remain united, long live Lebanon and the Lebanese". May the torch lit at the ceremony, and all that’s being done towards the fight for freedom of the press kindle our hearts and give us hope for better days for Lebanon and our nation.


7 Comments:

  • How much is the Mossad paying you to create this blog, stupid chlekke? Obviously you kiss Kat'aeb, Falange and Zionist teez.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:11 PM  

  • Don't worry, Shirine, Keep on drawing. This on of those idiots who are blinded by Nasrallah. Ya Jabein, oul chou ismak, ana i esmeh Kheireddine Ahdab, rouh dob halak enatah w Nasrallah. Biekaffeh!
    We want to live. Your culture is a culture of death & destruction, You are not better that the Zionists & the criminal Syrian Regime.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:28 PM  

  • It saddens me to know how fear can be used to suppress an idea and a voice that speaks for all decent men and women worldwide. If a group or government needs to silence a voice that speaks an idea, any idea, then the oppressors show their true selves.

    Too often around the world the powerful must silence the voice of freedom or risk losing power. They spin their lies and use religion, race or other belief systems to excuse their actions and send those who want a better future for themselves to their death because the lies gave them hope of creating a better life for their family, country, or loved ones. If the German press had the courage to continue to speak out against the Nazi, would the millions of victims (Germans, Italians, Turks, Jews, Russians etc) of World War II lived.

    The courage and strength of the Lebanese people have always amazed me. It breaks my heart to know what a beautiful country you have and to see it torn apart by intolerance and hatred. While we may never understand each other, know that as an American, Ronald Reagan said best,

    "To me our country is a living, breathing presence, unimpressed by what others say is impossible, proud of its own success, generous, yes and naive, sometimes wrong, never mean and always impatient to provide a better life for its people in a framework of a basic fairness and freedom."

    The majority of us truly want the world to be a better place for all. Keep Blogging!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:41 AM  

  • nice post shirin,i didnt know much of Tueni before the cedar revoltuion,yet i mourn him and think about him all the time these days.I beleive his stature will grow even more.great sketch.

    By Blogger Maverick, at 8:36 AM  

  • Hi shirine, nice blog. Keep going to establish your independence and to keep the freedom of speech. Long Live Lebanon * Long Live Tunisia

    By Blogger Legend Of The Fall, at 5:49 AM  

  • shirin,
    Amazing post. Tueni was a great man, and even though they thought that assassinating him would end up his voice, but they failed.

    We are all the sons and daughters of Gebran, and we are continuing his struggle until we reach our goal, and make our dream a reality; true independent Liban for all of us.

    God bless his soul, and nchallah those criminals will be brought to justice....

    By Blogger FaiLaSooF, at 11:34 AM  

  • Excellent site...I appreciate this blog....
    nice posting for this site.love to see this kind of site thank you for your comments .its really good comments ,its really good comments



    Bathmate

    By Blogger bathmate, at 2:11 PM  

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