Lebanon is the Center of the World

My favorite picture. Sunset over the Mediterranean. Beirut, Lebanon. May, 2018.

I have been debating with my Lebanese friends for years, but arguing is how they express love. I willingly engage in playful banter back and forth.

Calling a Lebanese person an Arab is a surefire way to incite a heated disagreement. They always answer with, “We are Phoenician.”

It appears that they were correct. DNA testing shows they have Phoenician ancestry, not Arab.[1]

Lebanese individuals constantly affirm that Lebanon is the epicenter of civilization, attributing the creation of the modern world to themselves. Despite the fact that many in my country are unable to identify this small country on a map. I’ve always been amazed by Lebanon’s ancient history and the numerous groups that have occupied it. Beirut has been devastated by earthquakes, tsunamis, and war. According to urban legend, it has been destroyed and rebuilt 7 times.

I have beheld the grandeur of the biblical Cedars, roamed the ruins of Baalbek dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, savored exquisite meals in the continuously inhabited city of Byblos, and watched the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea in the ancient city of Sur (Tyre).

I’m obsessed with this country. But you already knew that.

 I listened to a Throughline podcast a couple of years ago. The episode focused on the collapse of society that occurred in 1177 BC. The discussion revolved around the downfall of various cultures and empires that marked the end of the Bronze Age. People suffered and died; it was apocalyptic. Literally. Trade routes and the supply chain were disrupted due to a 150-300-year drought, famine, disease, and massive earthquakes, resulting in a domino effect, one society after the other fell. You either made it through or you didn’t. Period. Embracing change in the new world was essential to capitalize on the opportunity to innovate. What came afterward set us up for where we are today. Despite the devastation, the community that formed managed to uphold a beautiful trade route and were maritime people. Our modern alphabet is credited to them, and they were famous for their purple dye.

It was the Phoenicians.

I shook my head as I listened, smiled, and thought, “Well, they were right all along. Lebanon is the center of the world.”

The collapse allowed for new civilizations to emerge, and we are the direct descendants of them.

I’ve struggled to write about Lebanon since the pager attacks in September. For one, Lebanon has a personal significance to me, so I have plenty of emotion to work through. Secondly, I have not stopped working to send funds to Lebanon for our Palestinian partners. And lastly I’ve been in constant contact with friends and their responses are all saying, “We’re alive.”

How much destruction is required for this country? What’s the reason? The suffering is all in vain as a ceasefire will occur, and Israel will not benefit from their random acts of killing and destruction.

Lebanon leads us on a path to healing from loss.

Hope is what I have found. This is my current choice. Amidst all the devastation, I observed courage and kindness shining through from friends and colleagues. Our partners from Palestine are tackling the situation directly and helping others in unimaginable circumstances. Even with damage to the Palestinian Civil Defense center in Bourj al-Barajneh camp, they persist in their service. With limited equipment and funds, they established a temporary center outside the camp to continue responding to emergencies.

Not a single word of bitterness has been heard from them, only expressions of gratitude and thanks. This is a verbatim excerpt from a thank-you note.

“Your assistance, coming so far away, reminds us that the world has not forgotten us. We thank you from the depths of our hearts and look forward to your continued partnership in helping ease the suffering of our community.”

I also feel hope from you. We have collected the highest amount of funds in our history. Many of you have generously donated and helped out. I am grateful for the concern and kindness shown by those who have reached out to me while my heart is hurting. Many of you have shared tears with me.

The people of Lebanon have been supported by many of you.

Just like in the past, Lebanon will emerge from this catastrophe. Their rebuilding efforts will bring forth something unique and stunning for the world to admire.

It’s their history.

[1] https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-study-suggests-present-day-lebanese-descend-from-biblical-canaanites