Twice Upon A Time

English

My friend Niam Itani will be celebrating her birthday soon. Why is it relevant to this blog? Well it is not really. But her wish-list at the moment includes only one gift: to have the opportunity to produce her upcoming film.

So I thought, what better way to celebrate the birth of a kind and talented soul than by supporting the birth of her wonderful project:

Source: Placeless Films

Placeless Films  أفلام بلا مكان  bring you Twice Upon A Time, A Documentary.

The cinema industry in Lebanon and the Arab world is usually brutal. Especially for young talents who do not have influential connections in the entertainment world, let alone those in the documentary field. Money does not come easy and yet, those films are how we can write our history. Our legacy. 

So why should we care?

Because although a little fun is always welcome, we have a responsibility to leave behind a trace. Something that speaks of our humanity, not only our surgically enhanced beautiful women or unbelievably brain-numbing (so-called) arts. 

How can you make a difference?

The internet is a fantastic medium because it connects people together in ways like we had never knew possible before. It is brilliant because it opens doors to infinite information and knowledge. And it is fantastic that way because people who want to make a difference can reach other people willing to help them and get the support they need to follow through and actually do something. 

This is how inspired independent filmmakers who wish to keep their integrity intact and tell their stories, genuine stories, are now reaching out to all of us. Through crowdfunding. 

You can now be part of the making of films you care about. How amazing is that?

What is Niam's story?

In her own words, "In 1989, my parents left Beirut for a small village in the Bekaa Valley called Ghazzeh. I was eight years old. In 2012, Khalil's mother left Syria and took refuge at our house in Ghazzeh. Khalil was ten years old. This film tells the story of my friendship with Khalil, and our efforts to find hope and joy in the midst of madness and despair. It is also a personal reflection on childhood, nostalgia, home, belonging, memory and war".

To find out more about the film and Niam, please follow this link. Trust me, you will not regret it.

And if you can, please help us tell the story of Niam and Khalil. Leave a trace with us. Donations can be made through that same site, and the smallest gesture is impactful. Even if it is to simply spread the word. So please do! And if you decide to be part of the film and donate, then that would simply be phenomenal and unbelievably generous!

This is one story Niam cannot wait to tell with you and to you.

So thank you for taking the time to read.
And thank you in advance for taking a moment to help.

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FIGHT RAPE in focus

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January 14, 2012 : FIGHT RAPE PROTEST

For all photos and live tweets from the demo, follow #FIGHTRAPE or @Nasawiya on Twitter.

It may have been raining but the citizens of Lebanon, women and men, of all ages and of all walks of life were shining in the streets of Beirut!

Photo by Joelle Hatem
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Photo by Abir G
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Photo by Liliane A
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Photo by Raja Farah
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Photo by Liliane A
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Photo by Johaina Khaldie
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Photo by Raja Farah
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Photo by Janine Khawand
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Photo by Joseph
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Photo by Knooz Room
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"Both Minister Faisal Karami and Mufti Kabbani said no to #protectwomen law.
#FightRape demo reacts."
Photo by Tajaddod Youth
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Photo by Mira Daher
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Photo by Mira Daher
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Photo by Joelle Hatem
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Photo by Myra Abdallah
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Photo by Myra Abdallah
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Photo by Liliane A

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Photo by Rania Matta
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Photo by Nasri Atallah
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Photo by Yasmine Hajjar
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Photo by Myra Abdallah
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Photo by Joelle Moufarrege
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For all photos and live tweets from the demo, follow #FIGHTRAPE or @Nasawiya on Twitter. Beirut.com also posted an album on Facebook.

Bookmarks:

• Post 1
• Post 2
• Post 3

• Nasawiya
• Nasawiya on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
• January 14, 2012 protest on Facebook
• Protest's photo album by Nasawiya on Facebook

• Abir G's summary of January 14
• Racha Mneimne's January 14 photo album
• Liliane A's January 14 photo album
• Paola Salwan's January 14 photo album 
• Yasmine H's January 14 photo album
• Wissam Al-Saliby's January 14 photo album
• Article in As-Safir newspaper  جريدة السفير - Link to tumblr. post

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TOMORROW, RAIN OR SHINE

English

Are you gearing up for tomorrow?

Rain or shine, we will be marching for Human Rights, for Women's Rights and for Lebanon. Will you be there? 

I will not go through all the reasons why again. I believe I have covered most of what was close to my heart in my previous post. 

So if you are indeed preparing yourself for January 14, take a quick look at the artwork below. It may be of use to you or your friends. 

Talented designer, Nadine Chahine, has created posters for the protest, my favorite being: 

Source: ArabicType

Make sure to check her blog and take a look at all the designs she made. If you have the chance/time, print them and come armed with banners tomorrow!

Also, check these two Infographics by Nasawiya as they contain useful, compelling information (click on the image for a larger view):

Infographic Source: Nasawiya

Infographic Source: Nasawiya

For all the details about the march, feel free to check my previous post or the following bookmarks:

• Post 1
• Post 2
• Post 3
• Nasawiya
• Nasawiya on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
• January 14, 2012 protest on Facebook

Oh, and yes, we know. Today is Friday the 13th. If you are going to spend the day Tweeting and Facebooking about the Horror and Fear that this day brings; just remember, for some women, every day is Fear Day.

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One Week To Go

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Nasawiya is calling on all citizens to take the streets this Saturday January 14, 2012 and appeal for the reform of Lebanese Rape Laws, and Marital Rape Laws in particular.

The meeting point will be the Ministry of Interior in Beirut (near Sanayeh Park). The March will start at 12:00 PM all the way to the Parliament Building in Nejmeh Square.

Source: Nasawiya

It would not be the first time responsible citizens, activists and Human Rights supporters mobilize for change in Lebanon. 

Some commenters on Facebook have hinted that such protests have proven to be useless in the past and do not lead to practical reforms. That may be true at this point in time. The government may keep turning a deaf ear to our demands. And it is probably what those in power want. Keep ignoring us until we get tired of ever asking for anything.

However, it is no excuse to just sit idly and wait. Wait for what? For whom? If we do not take charge and try to instigate change in some way, who will?

By sitting on the sidelines, we would be effectively saying "that is not an important issue and we do not care" and more tragically, we would be in actuality revoking any right we have to object or even nag about that matter now or in the future.

Taking a stand is the first step towards actual actions and change.

Source: Nasawiya

If enough people can clearly demonstrate their demands, then it will be much harder for any authority to ignore those demands. And by extension, to remain a legitimate authority. Those in power, whom we have elected, have a duty to listen to what we say and to implement the will of the majority.

And we must grab any opportunity, such as January 14 to show them we are indeed a majority.  

Women Rights are sometimes misunderstood as solely a feminist fight, instigated for and by women. That could not be farther from the truth. Feminist groups may sometimes be the leading forces behind such protests but they are not the only ones concerned with such issues. And feminism is not solely reserved for women either.

Source: Nasawiya

Women Rights, just like Children Rights, Migrants Rights and any other basic Human Rights concern mankind as a whole.

They are rights, but also duties, for all, equally. 

That is why responsible Lebanese men must also join this cause.

Our culture has been favoring an image of masculinity which is based on the subjugation of women. It is (mis)understood that men can only express their virility and manhood by overpowering women.

That is of course a cruel myth and real men can and must stand against violence in all its forms and express and even empower their selves through respect which is not the same as fear.

Men who do not care to take a stand against rape may not be rapists, may not even be violent, but they would be silently (and even though indirectly) condoning sexual violence. It is as simple as that.

Instead, the entire population should initiate a new culture, one that is built on equality and respect.

A culture that teaches our young daughters, our sisters, our mothers even, that they are entitled to freedom and most importantly safety. Intellectual, spiritual and physical freedom and safety.

We should educate them to understand that violence in any form is unacceptable, ever, and that there could never be any valid reason to defend or excuse abuse. That silence is violence. And that each and every one of us has the duty to fight for these values.

Source: Nasawiya

A woman is not the private property of her father, brother, husband or son. Just like a man is no one else's property.

Freedom and safety. To be. For all.

Old stereotypes that facilitate and even encourage violence must be broken.

Violence, sexual or otherwise, can happen to anyone and both men and woman can be victims of abuse.

And because most offenders are men, they must play an even bigger role in breaking such stereotypes and vicious cycles both by actively taking part in the education of those around them but also by getting involved in political and social protests to defend what is right.

They must not only agree to never commit such violence but also never accept, condone or stay silent about it either. And of course, it is their responsibility to show, prove and challenge other men to recognize that power is not a result of oppression and fear.

As a woman, as the mother of a one-year old daughter, as the mother-to-be of a son who will join us in a few months, I cannot but be concerned.

My daughter cannot ever think it is OK for a woman to be inferior and submissive to a man. My son cannot ever think it is OK to subjugate or overpower women.

They must learn they are both equal under my roof. And under the law. Provided this law is indeed equal to both of them. That is all I can ask for. Pride and honor for all my children.

So it is not only for us we are taking a stand. It is for the generations to come. So that one day, they do not end up looking at us in shame, asking why and how we let this happen.

In a nutshell, by joining the March on Saturday, you will be participating in building a small but significant part for a unified, fair nation.




More details can be found on Nasawiya and Facebook's page for the protest.

Bookmarks:

• Post 1
• Post 2
• Post 3
• Nasawiya
• Nasawiya on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube
• January 14, 2012 protest on Facebook

  

Find this blog on Facebook

English

Today is:

❝ WORLD WATER DAY ❞

For that occasion, I did not really Photoshop The Day** but I added a few touches to the official UN poster:

The environment and water in particular are such important issues and although it will sound clichéd to make a whole speech about our social responsibility and simple ethical duty to get involved and do whatever is in our power to positively change our behavior and the world around us; well.... Well there, I did make the speech. Moving on then.

** I apparently have time to PHOTOgraph, especially baby Mia; it seems I also have time to SHOP, mostly for diapers; but I cannot seem to be able to connect the two... PhotoShop, I do sincerely miss you, mainly because I look like crap these days and can't find a moment for myself and retouch my photos!

Sexing it up a little bit

English

Recently a friend of mine, let’s call him XY… because he’s a boy (hahaha)… OK, Sorry about this lousy joke, I am filled with stupid boring jokes today (to hubby’s despair) and I haven’t been able to shut up yet.

So, again, recently a friend of mine, let’s call him XY, was very upset because he found out that the girl of his dreams, the one he had planned to marry, the love of his life is in fact a bisexual. He discovered this by mistake when she let him read an SMS she had received from her girlfriend and he confronted her by saying he felt like there was something sexual implied and she ended up spilling it out.

Obviously he was mad about the whole thing…

He was enraged that she had the audacity to tell him she loved him and yet have sex… with women.

Dude, you got it all wrong!

You should be upset, yes.

Not because she’s a bisexual; truly, pleasure and sexual orientation are personal and people are free to do as they please.

But you should be upset because you committed to someone and that person promised to commit to you in return, and then ended up betraying that commitment. That’s all.

Whether she’s sleeping around with men, women or inflatable dolls is really not the issue here.

I am big on trust.
And I am big on faithfulness.

Cheating is lying.
I hate all sorts of lies and I loathe liars.

I know, that was pretty final but it’s because I don’t compromise on that.

Also, I am a grown up woman who understands that some people simply do not want to commit; which is fine as long as they’re honest with their partners and clearly explain they do not intend on committing to an exclusive relationship.

And suffice to say I don’t care about anyone’s sexual orientation as long as they don’t impose it on others. Adults have the right to practice whatever it is they enjoy, with other consenting adults.

(Needless to say rape, pedophilia and bestiality do not fall in that “consenting adults” category.)

But to betray someone on grounds of bisexuality is a bit offensive.
For both the party cheated on and for bisexuals (and probably also homosexuals) everywhere.

As if having sex with someone from the same gender is not really having sex; i.e. not cheating.

It is one thing to say to someone:

“Listen, I’ve been with both men and women in my life, I am a bisexual, yes, but I want to commit to you”

Or:

“I am seeing other people (whether men or women is irrelevant)” ;

And it is totally another story to say:

“I love you, you are the man of my life, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, the one I want to have children with” and then go ahead and be with other people at the same time, and in hiding.

(The “hiding” part says it all; and clarifies that all excuses are just empty lies because honesty doesn’t require secrecy.)


So dear XY, let me tell you that I have bisexual and homosexual friends. None of them are cheaters and when they commit to their partners, they do it to the fullest. My advice to you is to go out there and find yourself someone as honest as these friends of mine, someone who will commit completely, and basically, someone will not lie to you.


And please, to those readers out there who are about to say this girl was probably afraid to come out and tell the truth because homosexuality and bisexuality are taboo in our country:

She didn’t have to come out.
Just like she didn’t have to pretend committing.
She could have simply said: “I want to see other people.”

The lying and cheating is what I’m taking issue with.
Not the sexual orientation.


That being said, I completely acknowledge we live in a harsh, violent society that in many instances forces us to lie, hide or pretend.

Hoping for Human Rights

Finally, it is important and relevant for me to conclude with the following:

Sexual freedom is a crucial right.

The freedom to be happy is undeniable and I hope that one day our country will finally understand that tolerance and respect of others’ choices, whether we agree with them or not, are so vital for a healthy society.

And hopefully, then, we’d find less of these young people forced to hide the truth about themselves, living in pretend relationships, while realizing their true person in secrecy.

I do know of a couple like that: a husband and a wife, both homosexuals, and who got married just so society (and their families) would get off their backs; and who now live their separate sexual lives freely, but not openly.

Truly sad to have to resort to drastic measures such as a phony marriage in order to live in peace, sort of.


With women getting closer to full citizenship and equal civil rights, I can’t help but hope all Lebanese citizens will one day be accepted without prejudice or narrow-mindedness.

Discrimination is unacceptable, on any grounds!
Intolerance is hatred and hatred is poison.
We need to learn to coexist in a healthy and nonviolent way.


And we need to redefine what’s “good” and “bad” because it is obvious that these notions have been distorted so much throughout history, it is becoming impossible to really understand them anymore!

The same applies to the meanings of “legal” and “criminal”…

(I just can’t get over how archaic and brutal our legal system is!

Reforms people, reforms!

Tolerant laws are not so difficult to accomplish, especially for such a religious people as the Lebanese who claim they are believers, root for God in about everything in their daily life; and yet can’t accept God’s most precious creation: mankind)

International Women's Day

English

Today is International Women's Day and I would like to start by mentioning my favorite girls ever: my mom & my sister :) I love you & I miss you!

Also, a special mention goes to all my girlfriends, the ones I adore, the fun ones and even the ones who drive me nuts! :)

Last but not least, I can't help but mention all those strong, beautiful women everywhere who fight on a daily basis for their rights, their loved ones, or even just to survive.


AbaadBlogs is dedicating a special edition of Women-related blogs to celebrate March 8 and I couldn't help but participate in some way. So here we go... :)

Congrats to Lebanon!

It seems that finally, we've stepped a little closer to a fair society with women acquiring equal nationality rights.

Background for non-Lebanese readers: up until now, women could not give the Lebanese nationality to their children or husband.

Many excuses were often given for years, the strongest being the rights for Palestinians to reclaim their land and citizenship rights in Palestine. It sounds like a position to protect Palestinian interests whose diaspora holds a "refugee" status in Lebanon (and to be fair, most of the pro-Palestine activists genuinely have these interests at heart). These refugees do not benefit from any civil right (another fight we hope will soon end with reformed laws that would remedy the humanitarian disaster Palestinian refugees have to endure in our country) which means that they can't get employed, can't vote or benefit from any state assistance while they've spent and most probably will spend their entire life in Lebanon.

Allowing Lebanese wives to pass on nationality would possibly result in more Palestinian men marrying Lebanese women to gain full citizenship; and thus civil rights.

It should also be noted that many Lebanese women are already married to Palestinian men and the nationality law would not grant their children any civil rights either since they've been considered so far Palestinian only in the eyes of the law.

Activists have been fighting for years for women to gain full citizenship rights in Lebanon and it seems we're one step closer!

So you can see how this is is a true victory for human and women rights in our country!

Now I can't wait for more equality...

Like, I don't know, off the top of my head, maybe a secular state and laws to govern all Lebanese citizens equally...

Dreaming?