My beautiful NEST – by Rana Khoury
Introduction: “What is an architect doing in a seminary?” A question that I have been asked many times. If you are curious to know the answer, read along. This article is a summary of a slide presentation in chapel in May 2010. I have no intention at all to portray NEST as the ideal place; it is rather a lovely place to be around in a non ideal world. I have selected for this article two features of NEST; an external and internal and dwelt on both.
No News from Sabra and Shatila
No news; a disillusioning conclusion after our second visit of the Refugee-camps Sabra and Shatila. Even though the European Union and international NGO’s provided access to schools for the children, the life-circumstances are still depressing.
watch the pictures:
Some thoughts about race, ethnicity and domestic workers
You can see them on the street carrying heavy stuff or taking care of kids. Sometimes you notice them only because “they take the dog for a walk.” If you try to be aware, you will discover those people everywhere despite the fact that they are mostly silent. You can sit in a restaurant or a pub; suddenly they disappear, at least for the short moment when they elbow their way through the crowded mass of guests. Or you will discover their faces when you pass by a construction site, working from dawn till dusk. Just be aware and you will see them everywhere.
1975
13.04.1975: Thirty-five years ago the Lebanese civil war started and lasted for over fifteen years. In memorial to this historic date some lectures and a few activities took place in and around Beirut. The most noted was a football match, carried out on the anniversary day, between the ministers of the government.
Serious discussions about the cruelty and suffering during the civil war are still uncommon in Lebanon. For the youth it is a past incident that does not seem to affect their everyday lives, while others see it as an incident that needs no further assessment or public discussion. There is no visible process, which deals with coming to terms with the past at all. There is question about whether forgetting about certain periods in history is the right way. For me, it seems that it is a strategy to postpone the outbreak of repressed feelings. However, I guess these latent feelings are there; the question is if they can postpone it till they disappear?
I Fear ‘the Fear of God’ that Does not Lead to Wisdom.
A new article of Najeeb Awad is now online. Read it under the category: `My own perspective`
“The prison is open” – Impressions from South-Lebanon
I would like to share with you my impressions from South-Lebanon.
Pics of the refugee camps – Sabra and Shatila
There are several Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, two of them (Sabra and Shatila) are located in Beirut. More than 40.000 people are living in inhuman conditions, without dignity, deprived of their identity and a slight hope for a better future. Some NGO’s have the attempt to help, but their actions are bound on decisions on the national and international political agenda.
Visitors from Iran
A public lecture by Mrs. Mahnaz Heydarpour from Qom, Iran was held today. She presented her personal approach and was speaking about the Christian-Muslim Dialogue in general. In the afternoon Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, also from Qom, gave a lecture about Ethic Relativism.
A new article by Najeeb G. Awad
Dear friends, an interesting article “Where did this sacrificial spirit come from? We should understand ourselves” by Najeeb G. Awad is now available.
Kissing draws ire of Sidon conservatives
A discussion raised in the city of Sidon about kissing in the public. The weather get warmer and many young couples meet on the Corniche (the beach side) to spend time together and express their feelings for each other. However, some locals feel uncomfortable and say that a behavior like this is “immoral and unethical.” Is it just an expression of freedom or stops freedom when you bother others?
Read the full article in the Daily Star:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_ID=1&article_ID=111943&categ_id=1
Olive Tree in the Qadisha Valley
Study in Beirut 