
Good morning, Lebanon! And Happy International Women’s Day! I am writing from New York city, where I have been attending sessions at the 54th Commission for the Status of Women. Rumors had been going around since last week that the Lebanese government is going to pass the amendment to the nationality law, granting women the right to pass on the Lebanese nationality to their children and husbands. And the rumors turned out to be true! They are passing the law today!!
What a coincidence, just yesterday I attended a panel by WLP with two prominent Arab feminists (Amal Abdel Hadi from Egypt and Lina Abou Habib from Lebanon) who talked about the regional campaign to lift CEDAW reservations. And now our long-awaited dream is finally here:
A Lebanese woman is now a full Lebanese citizen: she can give the Lebanese nationality to her husband and to her son. Congratulations on a right long overdue!
It is said that Minister Mona Afeiche will be announcing this wonderful piece of news later today, March 8, as the world celebrates 100 years since the idea of International Women’s Day was born. What a happy occasion for all Lebanese women to celebrate!
Of course we were all concerned that the Lebanese government would be racist and exclude Palestinians from this human right, but, indeed, they have lived up to their duties and have not excluded anyone. Excellent job, 7oukoumitna! Good for you! Finally, ONE THING the Lebanese government has done that has made me proud. Bravo finally acknowledging that women are human beings too and that they deserve the same rights as men. Bravo for rising above your pettiness and stupid out-of-date political debates. Bravo Lebanon!
I don’t have much information to share at this point, but those of you in Lebanon should contact:
- Ministry of Social Affairs +961-1-612870
- Ministry of Finance (just cos Raya Haffar Al Hassan is a woman and we must congratulate her) +961-1-642758
- Ministry of Interior (because Ziad Baroud has been backing us up for a long time and we must thank him) +961-1-754200
- Prime Minister (if you want to thank Saad Hariri himself) +961-1-746800



Beirut Now





Nothing starts off a Lebanese morning to the soothing melodies of the a living Legend of Lebanese singing, Fayrouz. This tradition has remained constant for 50 yrs, people listening to the same tunes for days after days. her voice echoes from speakers across country.
Any club hopper would agree that Beirut is one of the few cities where you can watch a group of girls belly dancing to trendy hip-hop beats, such as skybar or white.
underground at the basement and finishing it all with a delicious breakfast at zaatar wou zeit. How do people work in this country?
The sizzling sound of Falafel with an aroma to entice your every fancy. this tradition sandwich is the best and cheapest thing to eat as you stroll across the city. Falafel Sahioun is one of the few that does it without garlic, a family reproducing the same recipe since decades.
ons, coffee, all cafes are the meeting point of Lebanese waiting to discuss politics. All conversations are based on that, no other country in the world are involved that much with politics: All Lebanese know it all, and every one’s opinion is the best.
A small and beautiful country having more cars that its inhabitants. And we are all pissed from the traffic jams. A single family of 3 has 5 cars. yet, there is a moment of sheer beauty as you watch the face of a frustrated man swearing at those around him gently turn to a grin as you raise your hand to him, smile whole heartedly, and ask him kindly if you may over pass him.
Bored, just visit one of the best events calendar in Lebanon. the country that never sleeps, www.beirutnightlife.com to have it all. more that 10 events daily.
Couple of words to know while visiting Lebanon, ITFADAL, BONJOURAK, AHLA WOU SAHLA, YALLA, TAMEM, KIFNA, WALAW. Whenever someone is carrying a bag of fruits, eating potato chips, or whether you compliment them on the beautiful silver ring sitting snugly on their finger, they will always gesture those words. What is mine, is surely yours.
And finally, the Lebanese girls, in full make up 24/7, beautiful, sexy and trendy.

