Hariri's Funeral

Today, I spent the day, walking through Beirut, a place I had felt I knew all so well, but looks so different after this horrific tragedy. The site of the bombing was worse then I imagined, and I originally imagined it to be devastating…The funeral began around 10am local time, but I didn’t make my way downtown until noon. There were massive crowds throughout the city; some gathered near the old theatre that was blown up during the war, some in the parking lot overlooking the mosque under construction…People with all sorts of backgrounds came to attend. You could see Junblatt’s Progressive Party flag being waved by so many of the young Lebanese in attendance. People, young and old, came to see the burial of the former prime minister. I felt touched both as an observer and as someone who supports Lebanon, and loves the country for its beautiful history, people, and culture... This love for Lebanon, which has become a mysterious relationship, especially with Beirut itself, is difficult to relay in words, especially to those who have not seen the country. I have renewed my security and safety after venturing around the city, to see what the atmosphere is, and if there was any reason to think that danger is lurking in the near future… I believe, on the contrary that the country is reaching a breaking point, which will hopefully push it into a more secure and free path… There is one feeling that echoes from all the Lebanese that I have spoken with, from Druze, Sunni, Shi’a, to Christian, is that the war was for nothing… and they are tired of the violence… The people want to reclaim their country… and in my humble opinion, they will. As a foreigner (ajnabi), I have my own respect for Rafik Hariri, and may he rest in peace…

I hope for peace for Lebanon….
For the people I have met and befriended….
For the most hospitable people I have encountered….
For those who cannot escape the tragedy when it erupts.