Opinion Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Staff Writer

July 7th, 2020

October 2019

“I am part of this revolution because I want to live to see its results. There are people who have sacrificed their lives for Lebanon and for this revolution, the least I can do is try and build my future here. Why would I fight for something if I don’t intend to benefit from it?” Nizar Daou, a student at the American University of Beirut, told The Phoenix Daily. 

All across Lebanon, university students proved to be the beating heart of the Lebanese Revolution. Through taking new initiatives, raising awareness, and even organizing demonstrations, students have collaborated with the aim of fighting for a better future. 

For years, students have struggled with the economic realities in Lebanon, including the absence of decent employment opportunities in most fields. They have suffered in the shadows, but finally, on October 17, 2019, they broke their silence and refused to accept the fact that one day, they might have to choose between hopelessly staying in their country or leaving their home, family, and friends to build a better, more fruitful life elsewhere. Their hope was restored through an open door that allowed them to dream of a Lebanon that will not strip them from the future they hope to build. 

The next generation are fighting, tooth to bone, to reclaim their country from the hands of all the corrupted politicians who have nothing but their excuses to offer. While students and young adults saw a glimmer of light, the older generation, the one who lived through the civil war, knew better. 

“As a mother, I’m beyond happy that my kids are experiencing such historic times. In fact, I motivated them to go down to the streets and fight for a better Lebanon. As much as I would love for them to build their futures here, I know they won’t be able to do so in such a short amount of time. What is happening today is extremely important, but Lebanon has a long way to go, and my kids will not waste their future waiting.” A mother of three children told The Phoenix Daily. 

July 2020 

“Today I look back at myself and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I genuinely fought to stay. I fought for my family, for my future, and most importantly, for my home. I can’t lie to myself anymore. Reality is much stronger than any hopes and dreams we thought about building in Lebanon. Maybe one day, I can come back and invest what I learned abroad to save future generations from ever experiencing what we currently are.” Nizar Daou, eight months later. 

Eight months. That’s how much it took for an average citizen to go from fighting, to planning their next flight away from a country they considered home. The generation that smelled the tear gas, took the beating, chanted the songs, and held the flag was the same one that is now looking and hoping for an opportunity to leave and never look back. 

“Flawed policies and sudden shocks have thrust Lebanon into its worst economic crisis in decades, with its currency collapsing, businesses shutting, prices for basic goods skyrocketing and the threat of hunger looming for its poorest people.”[1] Ben Hubbard, of the New York Times, stated. 

Every morning, a father wakes up not able to provide breakfast for his family. A mother wakes up crying because she can’t afford to send her kids to school anymore. A supermarket owner wakes up wondering how much the dollar is today and hoping it hasn’t gotten past 10,000 Lebanese Lira. Shops, restaurants, and even schools all across Lebanon have closed its doors. Streets are empty at night, with not a single light to guide the way. Robberies are now daily incidents. Unemployment has reached 500,000, and still growing. Prices of goods and services have sky-rocketed to the point where most people can’t afford half the things they used to. While their people are on the verge of complete breakdown, politicians, government officials, and political party leaders continue their lives gracefully, convincing themselves that they are nothing but a pawn in a game. They blame each other like kids in kindergarten when a marker goes missing. Except in this case, what’s missing is billions of dollars, political and economic reforms, and an entire middle class. 

“After years of political turmoil faced with growing economic hardship in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many Lebanese city-dwellers are voting with their feet in a bit to keep their lives afloat”[2]. Najia Houssair, of Arab News, stated. 

Disappointed and frustrated, the youth can’t seem to find the light at the end of the tunnel. They can’t even find the tunnel because there are no lights. According to Salam Abdul Samad, an immigration attorney, calls about immigration have not stopped since the beginning of 2020. Most of them are fresh graduates who can’t seem to find stability in Lebanon[3]. Another immigration lawyer told Arabian Business that demand is up by at least 75%, mostly to Canada and Australia due to their high need for skilled workers.

“To see my country come together regardless of sect and religion against oppression was absolutely surreal. No one, including me, thought that was possible. My father insisted that my sister and I move from Dubai to Lebanon to study at the American University of Beirut (AUB) in order to learn our beautiful Lebanese culture. Over the past few months, he has been begging me to leave as soon as possible. The revolution gave us hope that maybe we might be able to change, but seeing how the situation got worse, we, or at least I, see no future in Lebanon. We often ask ourselves, ‘where do I want to be in 5 years?’ in our case, it’s ‘where do I see myself one month from now?’”. Hasan Mohamad, a senior at the American University of Beirut, told The Phoenix Daily. 

According to Arabian Business, “Google searches from within Lebanon for the term "immigration" hit a five-year peak between November and December, according to Google Trends. The last time the search term was that popular was right after Lebanon's 2006 war with Israel.” It is also worth noting that according to Information International, the number of people who left the country and did not come back in 2019 increased by 42% on the previous year[4].

“I wish I didn’t have to leave. From the bottom of my heart. Lebanon has so much potential, and all of it is buried underneath the corruption and sectarianism that now became part of our daily environment. I don’t belong in this environment. However, I will always consider coming back home.” Yara Hashem, a senior and local business owner, told The Phoenix Daily. 

I was wrong. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, we just can’t see it yet. It is rooted in the Lebanese youth-those whose hopes no level of corruption or greed can falter. Whose knowledge is the greatest weapon, and will employ it to rebuild this country. It is the power of their education that will light the lantern to usher in a better future in Lebanon, a future full of opportunity, acceptance, and integration. With that mysterious light at the end of the tunnel, we can only move towards it, surely not back into the darkness. 

Links:

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/10/world/middleeast/lebanon-economic-crisis.html

[2] https://www.arabnews.com/node/1672441/middle-east

[3] https://english.alarabiya.net/en/features/2020/06/29/Lebanese-look-to-leave-dire-economic-situation-as-country-s-airport-reopens-July-1.html

[4] https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/438827-new-crisis-looms-for-lebanon-as-citizens-flee-country