Lebanon BEWARE: A Disgusting Nazi Group is Posing as an Aid Organization. Don’t Work With Them

I came across a group called AHA Europe. This is a facist, anti-refugee group. The same people who funded a boat that would ram boats with refugees trying to get to Europe. Yes, these pieces of shit give money to try and sink boats of people fleeing war, persecution and certain death.

They’re polishing the shit that they are as an “on the ground aid” agency. Here’s an excerpt from their website:

We are convinced that migration to Europe can not be a solution. Only a fraction of the needy, mostly from wealthy families, can afford the crossing. In Europe you will not find the paradise you were looking for. The realization comes too late for many. Remedy can only be provided by positive future prospects for the respective country of origin.

If you didn’t puke in your mouth a little reading the above, then you should check yourself. And of course no one will find paradise in Europe if it has disgusting Nazi scum in it.

We respect the incumbent government and the President of Syria and do not judge us in this regard.

We’re not just judging you for respecting a genocidal dictator killing his own people since 2011, and bombing every hospital and bakery he can. We’re judging you cause you’re fucking Nazis in 2018.

Why They Are Evil

To the racists getting an erection at the fact some people are actively fighting refugees, don’t get excited. The AHA facists plan isn’t to just violently stop refugees from reaching their countries in Europe, but forcing them to stay in Lebanon “indefinitely”. So, even though you might think you share the same xenophobic ideals, they’re just handing you the short end of that stick, in countries that cannot sustain such population growth indefinitely.

They recently set up shop in Lebanon, and are “looking for partners”. They even sent one of their facists to a refugee camp in Bekaa, to walk around refugee kids and living up to the insulting “white savior” trope.

DO NOT PARTNER WITH THEM.

There are many, many other amazing NGOs, from Germany and the rest of Europe, that are working to make the refugees’ and their host communities’ lives better, without injecting “identitarian” political agenda into it.

Remember, refugees are just as frustrated as host communities are in Lebanon. Many Lebanese are trying to leave Lebanon for a better place, why would you assume refugees “have it good” that they want to stay here indefinitely?

However, kicking them out, like our disgusting politicians suggest, is not only against international humanitarian law, it’s inhumane, and not the type of people we are. We don’t send people to get jailed, tortured and killed.

Refugees are starting to leave on their own accord, and those that want to do that, can do so on their own pace and after the UN assesses their situation and whether it’s safe for them to return or not.

If you’re in a hurry for refugees to leave, then you need to pressure the Assad regime, which is making that almost impossible, not the refugees themselves.

Don’t be Nazis. Don’t work with these people, and spit on them if you see them and tell them to go back to the 1930s and leave us the fuck alone.

The European Union and Lebanon: Beyond the Refugee Crisis

The European Union and Lebanon have been partners in countless projects long before the refugee crisis, and even since, many of the EU’s projects focus on Lebanese host communities as well, not just Syrian refugees.

In the next few days, I’ll be sharing with you amazing stories about the work the EU is doing with Lebanese communities across the country. This week, we start off with an amazing woman, Khaldieh Hussein Khalil, a rose farmer in the Akkar village of Mechmech. Watch the video below:

Working in the NGO world, I’m well aware of the positive, but sometimes unsung impact that the EU has on Lebanon, from our most rural towns, to the hearts of our biggest cities. Sadly, many people try to paint a picture that sows discord and mistrust between Syrian refugees and their Lebanese host communities. I hope this series of posts will help you better understand the breadth, longevity and diversity of the EU’s programs in Lebanon, how you can help and how vulnerable people in your communities can benefit from the longstanding partnership between Lebanon and the EU.

Those who have been involved in these projects for years, know that the relationship between Lebanon and the EU is a historic one that has never wavered, and hopefully never will, and that the EU sees Lebanon the same way many of its citizens do: a beacon of peace, stability and tolerance in a turbulent region of the world, a stone’s throw away from Europe.

In Memory of Becky Dykes

Becky was compassionate, caring and committed to humanitarian causes across the globe. From Bahrain, to Iraq, to Libya, Sub-Saharan Africa and most recently Lebanon. She worked hard to make the world a kinder, fairer, safer and more stable place.

Becky worked at the UK embassy in Beirut, to improve the lives of refugees in Lebanon and marginalized Lebanese communities. She sought to help vulnerable communities become more peaceful and resilient.

On December 16, 2017, 30-year-old Becky was killed in Beirut.

This morning, everyone who knew Becky, or knew of her committed humanitarian work, came together at the St Elie Church in Kantari for a memorial service in her honor.

Towards the end of the service, UK Ambassador Hugo Shorter announced several initiatives in Becky’s honor to support the kind of work she had dedicated her life to: helping refugees and other vulnerable communities.

Becky’s family has set up a JustGiving page to raise funds for a foundation that will carry Becky’s name, and will support the communities Becky sought to help in her life. The foundation will focus on women’s empowerment and prevention of violence against women. You can donate to the fund here.

The ambassador also announced a yearly scholarship in Becky’s name, that will be awarded to a young Lebanese or Palestinian woman seeking to study in a field that would help further empower women in Lebanon, and prevent violence against them.

The alarming rise in violence against women in Lebanon, needs to be addressed more urgently and seriously by the authorities. It’s unacceptable that just a few weeks into 2018, many women have been murdered. Let’s hope all murderers are caught as quick as Becky’s, and that they spend the rest of their days behind bars.

Rest in Peace Becky, and thank you for leaving the world a bit better than than when you came into it.

Where That Intimate Concert Featuring Mashrou Leila Was This Week, and How You Can Know About…

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have noticed that last night, I was with a bunch of folks in a delightful old Beiruti mansion being serenaded by a host of kick-ass Lebanese and Syrian bands which included Mashrou’ Leila, Tanjaret Daghet, Jay Wud, Sand Moon and Chyno!

This “secret gig” was part of a worldwide collaboration by Sofar Sounds and Amnesty International.

What is Sofar Sounds?

Think Boiler Room, but for live acts, in living rooms around the world where it’s about appreciating the musical acts in an intimate setting where you are asked to “be still and listen”.

It started when a group of friends went to a concert, and other concert-goers were being loud, having obnoxious conversations and getting absolutely wasted. These friends decided to move the experience to their living room, and focus on truly appreciating the music, without all the ruckus and fuss you get in big concert halls.

Today, the Sofar Sounds movement is in more than 200 cities.

Amnesty’s #GiveAHome Worldwide Event

Yesterday, Sofar Sounds partnered up with Amnesty in more than 60 countries to host 300 events with close to 1000 artists on the same day. Beirut was one of those events.

The cause was to help support Amnesty’s work with refugees worldwide. All donations went to support Amnesty’s work in campaigning and defending human rights for everyone, including more than 22 million refugees worldwide.

The Event

Ayla Hibri was kind enough to host the event in her Beirut home, which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever stepped foot in, with a gorgeous garden and really tasteful decor and set up. Thank you Ayla!

We were about 60 people, huddled up together, sitting on the floor of her living room. It was quite nice being huddled up next to friends, and strangers, during this somewhat unusual seating arrangement in Lebanon: randomly striking up a conversation with a stranger next to, in front of or behind you. Made a couple of new friends too!

As some sipped on their wine glasses, while others coddled their cold beer bottles, Chyno kicked things off by introducing the event, why it’s being held and the other artists on the lineup. After everyone knew what Sofar was, what Amnesty does and the purpose behind the #GiveAHome campaign, Hamed, Carl, Haig and Firas made their into the living room and began their performance.

I’ve seen the boys perform everywhere, from AUB festivals, to stadium events in places like New York and Berlin, and most recently my beloved hometown of Ehden. Last night, by Hamed’s own admission, was the first time they’ve played for such an small, intimate gathering in quite a while. It was also the first time I attend such a gathering, my first Sofar Sounds experience!

Here’s a clip I shot of “Roman” (thanks for reposting guys!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZRdJrch_vr/?taken-by=ginoraidy

After Mashrou Leila, Sand Moon were up next, for an extremely melancholic performance that had the crowd get goosebumps and really feel the heft of every word, melody and beat in such a charming space, huddled up all together on the floor.

Jay Wud were up next, and the multinational band with a diverse set of influences and expertise, took to the make-shift stage and for a good 25 minutes, kept everyone there wanting more.

Then, Tanjaret Daghet came up. If anyone is creating the soundtrack for the malaise, yet steadfastness most Arab youth feel these days, it would be these guys. Khaled, Tarek and Dany’s performance was sublime, as usual, with goosebumps creeping up your spine when the perfectly crafted music strikes a cord with poignant lyrics most of us could relate to.

The wrap up was insane, with Chyno and Tanjaret Daghet freestyle jammin, wrapping up the beautiful night in the best way possible. Chyno is a lyrical genius, and I’ve seen his tight flow turn a crowd of 20–25 people at Fusion Festival 2016 into more than 200 German festival goers screaming for more as he was wrapping up his set.

All in all, it was awesome, and I feel lucky to have been one of the fortunate few that were able to attend this secret gig last night.

How to be Part of the Next Sofar Sounds in Beirut

All you gotta do is follow this link and sign up to be part of the Sofar Sounds community, so you’ll be able to know about upcoming events, find out the artists showcasing their work and where the next lucky living room will be.

I’d like to thank the Sofar Sounds and Amnesty teams, most of whom are very good friends of mine who I’m very proud of, like Maria, Serah, Joelle, Tarek, Sahar, Jean, Chris, Ghadi and everyone else who helped make this come true. I’d also like to thank all the artists from the bottom of my heart, many of whom I’m lucky to call friends after all these years ❤

UNICEF’s Awesome Social Experiment in Ein El Mreisseh #AbtalAlMadrasa

How many of your parents took out loans, sold land they had inherited or never spent on themselves to afford sending you guys to school and university?

How many online debates have ended with a consensus that “education” is the solution?

What would your life be like if you didn’t have your school and university days as part of them?

Where would you have met all your closest friends, your business partners or even your life partners if not between classes and at recess?

Education is important, for so many reasons. It is the great equalizer, where doing well will guarantee you a shot at the life you want, no matter how humble your beginnings or hard the road to get an education was.

At times like these, with so much instability, turmoil and hopelessness, generations are being lost in the crossfire. Dire economic situations are forcing parents to pull their children from school, and into jobs they should never be doing as minors.

In all the gloom though, one good thing about Lebanon is that anyone who seeks an education, can get one. All children in Lebanon, whether Lebanese or refugees, have a right to an education. A chance to be whatever they want to be when they grow up. A chance to lift up themselves and their communities, suffering at the hands of corruption, neglect and conflict.

With the recent savage tax hikes in Lebanon, and the chaotic increase in school tuition, with more and more Lebanese waking up to find themselves on the wrong side of the poverty line, means many kids might get pulled from school.

This campaign is a reminder to everyone, all parents, guardians and community leaders that everyone has a right to free education in Lebanon’s public schools.

Keep your kids in school. Make sure all the uncertainty and unrest don’t have devastating effects that will last for generations to come. Educate your children.

UNICEF and the Ministry of Education launched a campaign now that it’s “back to school” time. The campaign seeks to raise awareness that every child on Lebanese soil is entitled to a free education. The video below is the campaign’s brilliant social experiment carried out on the Corniche in Ein El Mreisseh.

33 Facts on the Refugee Crisis in Lebanon

With all the toxic rhetoric in the past few weeks, the major missing ingredient was actual numbers and solid facts.

Below, I’ve embedded 33 facts published as part of the effort by professor Nasser Yassin as part of the #AUB4Refugees “Fact of the Day” initiative. You can find a lot more here.

Some facts are heartbreaking and disheartening, but others are also very enlightening and contradict the false information pushed by Lebanese politicians to pit Lebanese host communities, against Syrian refugees, instead of against their corrupt politicians.

Inform yourselves, and act accordingly. The refugee crisis is the worst one to hit the world in our lifetimes, and it’s extremely hard to turn the tragedy and conflict into something manageable and positive in the long run.

What’s certain, is that violence and hatred will not solve anything, and with the fighting winding down in Syria, many refugees are already leaving, with others packing up and getting ready to go back to their destroyed towns and homes.

In an ideal world, Lebanon’s host communities would get funding for much-needed infrastructure projects, like roads, electricity, public transport, health and environmental services, which working-age refugees could voluntarily execute with the money they make helping them restart their shattered lives at home, and their presence in Lebanon leaving a positive impact that our own Lebanese government has been unable to do for the past 4 decades.

Please calm down. Violence is not the answer, and the dire effects of the crisis is putting strain on the entire world, and our region and country especially. Finding solutions that will benefit both sides can happen, and is happening in many instances. Picking fights and letting sectarian and xenophobic urges get the best of us will do nothing but plunge us into worse conditions, and push more people into the arms of extremism, instead of away from it.

Batman Helps Out Refugee Child in the Bekaa in Heartbreaking Video

War Child Holland released the video above this month, and before you continue reading this post, please watch it till the end.

I love War Child and all the amazing work they do. I’ve been with them to the field several times, and the work they do with Syrian refugee children is honestly above and beyond what one would expect from them.

The video starts with a young refugee hauling a big water gallon through an informal settlement in the Lebanese Bekaa, one of over 1500 such settlements across Lebanon.

Then, Batman carries the water gallon for him, and stays with him, plays with him, serenades him and his friends with a Oud. Then, we see Batman carrying the child, and a Chinook military transport helicopter flies by in the distance, with a city burning on the horizon. When the camera pans out, we see that Batman is actually the refugee’s father, carrying his son with the rest of his family as they walk away towards safety and refuge from their war-torn homes.

It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It’s a human reminder of the plight of so many refugees around the world and in Lebanon. At a time when the refugee crisis is being used by politicians for petty reasons, it’s often easy to forget how real the pain is, and how most of the time, the only solace for refugee children is their own imagination, and how their parents are their superheroes…

Make sure you follow War Child Holland on Facebook, to see what they do and how you can help ❤