Shirin from Lebanon

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

A bull in a china shop


Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Beirut Spring 2007


Thursday, March 08, 2007

Homeward bound?


My father wants me to quit my studies and return to Lebanon. I have considered it before, especially after the war that had ruined my beloved homeland. It seemed to me that I needed to do something to help my country, and quitting my studies was a fair sacrifice.
But this is not the case now: my father wants me to quit because he is concerned. My mama(umi el3aziza) wants me to go back to Lebanon because she thinks that there I will be safe.
It surprised me, I thought that they were liberal enough to understand that the West isn’t their enemy, but now they are terrified. They are afraid that my studies might corrupt my mind and set me against Islam. There is nothing I can say, or do, that can convince them otherwise. I have got to tell you that I wear the traditional clothes and refrain from the bad culture around me, because I honor not only my parents, but also Islam and my tradition. They want what they think is best for me, and right now, they think it is best is for me to leave Germany and go back home, to Lebanon.
I understand them, I can see how hard it is for them to get used to the language and customs. But I know that my studies are no threat to my conscience, my morality and my tradition, and that right now, my going back to Lebanon isn't going to do any good. They don't agree with me. They insist I should leave for Lebanon, as soon as possible.
So I will return. But first, I'm going to finish my studies and start a career, so that when I do arrive, I will have something to give back to my country and to my family. They are just going to have to understand that the university isn't a threat and that Germany isn't going to harm me.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Everybody knows...



Last week I read in the newspapers that people got stuck in the Telefric carts in Lebanon due to a technical problem. I thought to myself: The needs and the interests of Lebanon are stuck due to an evil obvious side –
And everybody knows who I am talking about!

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that Nasrallah lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died

Everybody knows that we love our nation
Everybody knows that we really do
Everybody knows who has been faithful
And who betrayed and broke the rule

And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's us or them!
Everybody knows it is time to wake up
Before it wouldn't matter who we wish to blame!