Time for a Change

An olive tree in Sbaniyeh, next to the Mar Frem Monastery, overlooking the Beirut River Valley

 

A positive result, as far as I am concerned, of the attacks in Paris, is the stark realization among many that there’s a difference between the west and the rest of the world.

When people are blown up in Paris, we all change our Facebook profile picture, and Obama tells the world that this was not just an attack on Paris, but an attack on all humanity. Seriously now.

What about us?

 

Because when they are blown up in Beirut, or Syria, or anywhere else in the Middle East, it’s not even news.

Not much is known about the monastery. It was abandoned in 1860, after fights between druze and christians resulted in the monks being killed. It was partially restored some years ago, but is not in active use.

 

And that’s exactly why they’re being blown up in Paris. Because the west does not care what happens to people in the Middle East.

People in the Middle East already knew this. But many westerners who somehow have a link with the Middle East, are confronted with it now. Pray for Paris. But nobody prays for Beirut.

 

 

The western world does care about their interests though.
And if this involves supporting oppressive dictators who eliminate opponents without a process, regimes that do not allow women to drive cars, or countries that stone women on adultery charges, then so be it.

If it results in entire regions where people live in abject poverty while their elite own Lamborghinis by the dozens, or in entire populations being removed from their land to live in futureless conditions in cramped camps for many generations, then so be it.

Because it does not touch you. They're not your people. It's not your back yard.

 

 

And now our colonialism is coming back to haunt us.

Fundamentalism and radicalism do not spring from religion. They have their roots in poverty, injustice and a future without hope. This graph is a clear indication of that. Religion is all they have left, and so they cling to it with a vengeance (Research here and here).

 

A new bell tower.

 

Now they’re calling for a war on ISIS. I thought that one was already on. More bombing and ground troops.  It will only alienate more. You cannot bomb away poverty, injustice and a future without hope. What we’re doing right now, is obviously not working.

It’s time for a change. And so I leave you with the beauty of Lebanon. 

 

A beautiful Volvo