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Outlook The American University of Beirut

Design by John Hajjar

Vol. XLIII, No. 9

Dalia Hosn Caterina Belardi Staff Writers

S

tudent elections ended, Wednesday, November 24 with “We Will” winning 25 out of 34 seats and the due to the fact

Photo by Salim Batlouni

| Thursday, Nov 25, 2010 | The Independent Student Publication Since 1949

FAS “We Will” and They Did

that the Graduate Alternative Front candidates won by acclamation, their 5 seats ended up outweighing Students at Work’s 4 seats for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Students at Work’s Amanda Lebbos managed to win when she tied with We

Will’s Mustafa Ajlyakin at 236 votes in the sophomore year, which makes the loss of Students at Work even more substantial.

Another sophomore year winner, Hussein Raed Charafeddine from We Will had been worried earlier

that day about the lack of funds, stating “We’re working but we don’t have that much money, because they (Students at Work) are getting money from the outside, you can see that from their campaign. We are going to address everything from

problems with the Registrar and Financial Aid, to library cards. We’ll do what we can and we’re realistic.”

In fact, supporter Ali Kassem stated that “today, evcontinued on page 4

Tuesday Drive Marks Elections Campaign Finale Caterina Belardi Staff Writer

T

he last day of campaigning ended smoothly last Tuesday November 23, yet left AUBites with hazy feelings.

Voters rallied up T-shirts, stickers, sashes and even stress balls were given out as supporters cheered on. Still, a void could be felt among the premises, as FAS Senior Afif Ibrahim describes “it feels dead, lacks enthusiasm, everybody can already expect the results.” Others like FAS Sophomore Christian Manachi described the scene as “two groups of degenerates shouting meaningless slogans.” Indeed the

energy had clearly faded by the end of the first hour of today’s campaign, the slogans and chants were voiced out briefly at the beginning with no sequel, yet the onlookers may have witnessed an entertaining stress ball fight with no injuries reported.

Once again, a clear predicament was sensed between the campaigns that were politically affiliated and those who weren’t; voters are still very undecided with such dilemma at stake. Two paths seem to be traced, either continue on a same stream of continued on page 4

Students at work flock together

(Photo by Wael Salem)

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Nov 25, 2010

Hariri School of Nursing Scores Peaceful Victory Jackie Daoud Staff Writer This year the SRC elections, unlike others elections at AUB, were very peaceful at the School of Nursing. It was similar to any other day and the department was devoid of any election spirit. This was contrary to previous years where the students were a lot more upbeat and competitive, which may be attributed to the fact that there were just four candidates; the lowest number of candidates for any faculty during this election.

It also marked first time that HSON carried out their elections independent from the Faculty of Medicine, as 2010 marks the first year of moving to their new building.

Initially six candidates were nominated for SRC elections, however given that the Graduate and Sophomore candidates Ali Shaddad and Na-

dine Kara respectively, had no competitors for their seats, acclaiming them automaticaly.

The remaining two seats allocated to BSN 3 and BSN 4 had just two competitors each: Alaa Awwad and Celine Khati for the BSN3 seat and Ali Zreik competed against Shadi Al Halabi for BSN4.

The atmosphere was tension-free and all candidates seemed relaxed about the elections and the BSN4 candidates had even campaigned together as a team, despite being affiliated with different political parties, as opposed to Awwad and Khati who were running independent of any political affiliation.

There seemed to be a general consensus on what the candidates would change given their election. Some of these ideas included petitioning for better computer lab hours, vending machine updates,

A calm voting atmosphere at HSON

introducing a lounge/kitchenette, even making changes to the nursing curriculum in AUB, thereby reducing stress from the nursing students.

Mary Arevia, an Associate Professor in Nursing Community Health stated that “Although last year, competition was more intense, the SRC is still a good experience for AUB students, preparing them for responsibilities in the real world such as civic engagement and voting responsibilities. The only issue with the school of nursing SRC elections is the lack

(Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

of competition, giving rise to a lack of motivation”.

On the other hand, one of the Junior nursing students Remi Elias declared, “I feel that SRC is a waste of time because at the end of the day the AUB administration are still going to do what they want, same as what happened with the AUB tuition last semester”.

Results conveyed that a decent 88.5% of Juniors voted, with the majority of votes acquired by the independent candidate Celine Khati, who obtained 15 votes as opposed

to the remaining 11 that went to her opponent Alaa Awwad.

As for Senior candidates, 76% of them voted, with the votes being almost evenly distributed among the candidates; Ali Zreik obtained 7 votes as opposed to Shadi who was just 1 vote short of winning.

Khati, and upon her win, hopes “to change peoples’ perspectives of the Nursing School and lift the negative image our society has shadowed on it, hopefully diminishing claims of it as being an easy and useless major”.

Order of Engineers Claim Victory of Engineering Mohammad Yaghi Staff Writer The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA) had a hotly contested election with each campaign winning representatives at each department, ,maintaining a slim victory. In the end, though the Order of Engineers won the overall vote.

In the Graphic Design Department, Jean-Marc Nasar won for first and second year, while Romy Saber was victorious for the third and fourth year. Nasser stated, “I want to improve the department lounge, adding a vending machine, because we all sleep here everyday.” He also pledged not to be affiliated with any political group and to remain independent. Saber also pledged to improve conditions for Graphic Design students while organizing fun trips for the students to Malaysia. The election for Graphic Design students was fair, but the competition

for the single seat for the first and second years was flanked with controversy with candidates Ghassan Nassar and Lama Shehadeh both expressing dissatisfaction with the process. ““It wasn’t fair; it had bad timing and certain candidates approached people in the wrong manner.

Certain people were begging for votes and made fake friends,” said Nassar, while Shehadeh was quoted as saying, “The elections were fair the way they were; except some candidates made fake [friends]. Real candidates should be judged based on their platform.“ Overall, the elections in the Graphic Design department went without disruption and the candidates vowed to remain close friends.

The undergraduate Engineering Department had the closest contest of the FEA. In the first year l of engineering, Edwina Tanios, Joy Beaini, Patrick Birbarah and Samer Atshan triumphed out of the

Ordered voting in progress at FEA

eleven candidates. All the candidates, though, were not available for comments. Second year Engineering had Elias El Murr, Emile Zankoul, Julien Medlej, Karl Dagher and Vahe Saferian as victorious candidates. El Murr and Zankoul said, “We are part of the Order of Engineers and that the election campaign went by great although were late for campaigning, but everything went by great.”

Third year seats were won by Fadi Fadel, John Tarakdijian, Rosemary Romanos and Nour Alawieh. Tarakdijian voiced few concerns about

(Photo by Wael Salem)

the overall elections, “The elections were fair, but the supporters of the Order of Engineers were more united while the supporters of Students at Work were not and didn’t keep their word and didn’t vote for everybody in Students at Work. I hope that we can work something out.”

In the fourth and last year of engineering, Abdallah El Skaff, Khaled Ghrawy and Richard Aoun respectively won the three allocated seats. “ We hope that our allies or group will win in the other faculties so that we can have a majority,” said Ghrawy.

In the Graduate Engineering Department Elie Rustom and Farah Fathallah were victorious. Fathallah said in response to her victory, “I’m very happy and I wasn’t expecting it. But I want to congratulate everybody else who competed because it is not an easy thing.”

In the Architecture Department almost all of the candidates were independent and Rami Saab won the seat for first and second year, while Tania El Alam won for third, fourth and fifth lyears. None of those winners were available for comment.

Outlook

Nov25, 2010

campus news

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FAFS Elections Politicization Dilemma Maya Sfeir Staff Writer

D

uring a long, calm day of AUB elections, students at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (FAFS) voted in 17 out of the 36 candidates running for elections to represent them at the Students Representative Council (SRC).

While more than 80 percent of undergraduates participated in electing their representatives, only 26 percent of graduates took part.

Winners in the Food Science and Management Department were third-year student Youssef Chehimi, second-year student Jinan Kanj, and first-year student Patrick Hilan. Ghiya Khatib was elected to represent the third and fourth-year undergraduates at the Landscape Design and Eco-Management Department, and Roberto Be-

jani was elected to represent the first and second year students.

Winners in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department included Leila Bourji, representing the third year students, Farid Otaki representing the second year students and Lama Dannawi representing those in their first years. Bilal Derian and Amani Jalloul were elected to represent the firstyear Agriculture students, while Mohammad Malass was selected as the representative for the second-year students. Karl Hinan of the third-year Agriculture students won by acclamation.

Agribusiness and Veterinary students elected Nader Safadi and Marwa Moughrabi to represent them. Elected graduates included Souhad Abou Zaki, Rani Bassil and Elie Shdeed.

As elections were taking the upper AUB campus by storm during the day, the lower campus seemed forgotten. Rather, the lower campus seemed almost forgotten, for as soon as one approached the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, students and candidates wearing flashy yellow t-shirts, white shirts and blue ribbons began to reveal themselves. Just in front of the faculty lounge, over forty of them were waiting for an opportunity to vote.

Elections taking place at FAFS went smoothly as democratic competition took place between the different candidates. Nonetheless, beneath the calm election processes a battle of another kind was taking place between politicization and detachment.

While numerous students complained that the whole

elections were politicized, others praised the neutrality of the independent candidates.

The elections were described as “democratic,” by Agribusiness candidate Nader Safadi.

“The choice is left to the people, and they elect their candidates,” he stated. In turn, Nareg Theodore Ohannessian added, “almost everybody knows that AUB elections are politicized. These are not club elections. Nonetheless, the elections are not only about winning, and our solid platform indicates our willingness to work for our university.”

Jinan Kanj, an independent candidate of the department of Food Science and Management, commended the impartiality of the independent candidates. Wearing a white t-shirt with the motto for her

campaign, “Pink Your Vote,” Kanj maintained, “people are tired of politics and need candidates who can be themselves and let the youth speak.”

Commenting on whether the independents were really independent, Leila Bourji of the Dietetics and Nutrition Department asserted that candidates “might have a political background...however, whether or not these candidates have political opinions, they do not have the support of political groups.”

At the end of the day, whether or not the independent candidates were truly independent no longer mattered.

What did count, however, was whether or not they were winners.

Students At Work Take On OSB Lynn Itani Staff Writer

D

ue to the tense competition in OSB, the results remained vague even till the last vote. Despite changes in political alliances, Students at Work still managed to seize all but one of the undergraduate SRC seats.

That one remaining seat was claimed by Nour Safa, an independent nominee who impressively seized the highest number of votes within the Senior class. The competition between We Will Campaign and Students at Work was mostly pronounced within the Sophomore and Junior classes.

The campaigning time was generally characterized by nominees as “sufficient” despite the holidays during the pre-election week. Interestingly, the four independent MBA nominees even took the initiative to gather graduate

students in order to debate and discuss their platforms and to listen to the needs of students.

According to the newly elected graduate representative, Ameen El-Rhayem, this is a “new idea” that has not been integrated within the campaigning process before in the history of OSB elections.

On the other hand, a group of seniors argued that they did not even take a look at the platforms of nominees as they consider the student representative council as a microcosm of national politics rather than an agent of change within the university.

Rami Itani, a newly elected Junior representative, saw that the results were not “guaranteed” this year in the School, which made the process more challenging. He, however, emphasized upon the fact that decreasing the political aspect is important so that independent students

Voting runs smoothly at OSB

have a greater chance. The term “independent,” neverthless seemed quite controversial amongst the students. As an example, Georges Khouri, a senior, commented that “independent people always [collaborate] with political groups during USFC elections”.

Students generally described the election process as smooth and well-organized.

Tamim Bou Karam, a mem-

(Photo by Nadi Nassar)

ber of the Lebanese Associaton for Democratic Elections (LADE), also confirmed that the university elections and security measures were orderly; his association is specialized in monitoring bias and conflict during elections.

Mahmoud Mroueh, a Junior campaigner, viewed that the participation rate was low as students were particularly busy with mid-terms.

Oddly enough, a number of

voters complained of being stalked over the phone during the campaigning process. Also, many voters emphasized on the importance of voting for friends and people who they have met before rather than an anonymous person. According to a Sophomore student, the challenge is always greater for the newcomers.

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Outlook

campus news

Nov 25, 2010

“We Will” Take Over FAS

continued from page 1

erything happened all at once as we couldn’t feel the campaign” and yet still managed to win by such a wide margin.

Students at Work who had been expecting to win based on their past achievements as Hisham Mansour an unsuccessful candidate recalls, “we fought against the 15-credit policy and achieved great results.” Nour Stephan, however, an unsuccessful candidate for the Senior year, had appropriately anticipated that they would face difficulties “because it’s four political parties against two.” She further explained how she was “disappointed in the participation as [we] expected more.”

On the independent side, Farah Hamdan, a Sophomore candidate for the Alternative Front expresses how “we’re trying to reach out to people that aren’t brainwashed because everyone else is” she further states, “There are lots of Lebanese who hate politics” but apparently not. Fouad Badaoui, one other prominent voice

from the non-politically affiliated states “as independents we go in as winners and out as winners regardless of vote counts because anytime independents scare other politicians it counts as a victory.”

Ultimately, this marginal win proves that AUBites are in for a big change following the 6-year reign of Students at Work. Perhaps this only reflects the political turmoil in the country as everything the changes occurring in AUB mirrors those going on the outside. Student Gabriel Ferneini points out “a college should be a good melting pot for new ideas, not reproducing the status quo of the country.”

On a side note, a new project was initiated this year, Dr. Jad Melki, coordinator of the AUB Media Program states how the 236 SOAN class undertook the task of reporting student elections, “We wanted to present the news from a campus perspective, not tainted by the political leaders on the local news channels.”

Student Elections at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences went by smoother than expected

FAS elections take place at West Hall Mahmoud Malhas Common Room

and throughout the day only a few cheers and chants animated West Hall. As the day came to a close and the voting ended, however, the political affiliations of the various candidates became more prominent and the uproar of the political anthems quickly spread through the crowd that was separated by a no

man’s land, each with their own projector.

Despite the fact that many of the candidates had claimed that they had no political affiliations, once caught up in the mass chanting, it was clear which external politicians were being rallied for.

By the time all the results were tabulated, Bliss Street

(Photo by Nadi Nassar)

became a political rally with all the basic components; party flags, portraits of leaders and attempted fires. Though the impact of this election will only be fully appreciated in days to come and as student Kawthar Fawazi says, “the beauty of AUB is that by the next day, it all goes back to normal.”

Elections Campaign Finale continued from page 1

previous success or go after change, a revolution. Students at Work, who pulled out an impressive final advertising campaign, are setting themselves on high hopes of winning their fourth election as Junior OSB Rami Itani states “we deserve to win because we worked so hard and we deserve to continue.” Sophomore FAS Dima El Machnouk further stressed, “we all are politically affiliated, same stream, different views, but we all work for AUB students, for us, to improve our lives at AUB”.

On the other stream, many voices speak out from a very diverse crowd, as all voice out one main goal: change!

One of the most eye-catching campaigns was lead by the “We Will Campaign,” to which merged Order Out of Chaos. This new joint force rallied upon the “power of will” states FAS Freshman Joy Ismail “follows from [Barack] Obama’s ‘Yes we can,’ but our difference is in the ‘will,’ because yes we will.”

Senior FAS Hassan Mdeihli explains how “we aren’t against depoliticizing, we chose to politicize our elections” and describes the “We Will campaign” as “a reflection of the political situation outside AUB, as many different people are attracted to it, being a combination of sects and each political side, to a

certain extent, has its own authority.”

On the same stream, voices out the Alternative Front, which FAS Sophomore Othman Farmawi illustrates as its “main objective is to present an alternative choice and not reflect the outside political image inside university.”

Farmawi continues, “university is a platform to speak up to any issue that needs to change under the name of independence, the name of AUB students.” “We AUBites are brainwashed here, we want a step for change,” strongly stated FAS Sophomore Farah Hamdan.

On the independent front, many candidates stood out as

well. “Outside politics have never done anything to improve our student lives, we deserve to be really represented” states E3 FEA Caren Zgheib. FAS Senior Abdo Al Habr stressed how “even within political parties there are different views that impede cohesion among members.” Another voice of change comes from Senior OSB Nour Safa as she envisions “ a change to bring out more opportunities outside the AUB premises to the students career-wise.” A final call comes from Senior FAS Student Fouad Badaoui’s supporters, as Sophomore FAS Christian Manachi stresses how “Fouad is some-

one who gets things done, it’s not about getting the votes, for Fouad it’s about working for the university.” Ultimately “change comes from not seeing it happen” points out Senior OSB Nour Safa as this seems to be the slogan of this election’s revolution.

On a final note for tomorrow’s great event, Senior FAS supporter Afif Ibrahim sent out an encouraging message, “let’s hope we all vote with our heads, considering who really deserves to be elected according to their qualifications, before anything else.”

Nov 25, 2010

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Outlook

campus news

Election Results in FHS Reflect Focus on Curriculum Tala Kardas Senior Staff Writer

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urriculum changes and fair representation were the main two themes that all the candidates raised at the Faculty of Health Sciences during this year’s Student Representative Council elections. As is the yearly case, the general atmosphere during the day was calm mainly due to impeding exams.

It is, however, worth noting that many of the candidates opted to run independently, unlike the general trend in the university. This, along with the general camaraderie that characterizes the faculty, made the electoral process run smoothly.

Platforms for Public Health seniors generally reflected their plans to introduce changes to the faculty including that of Environmental Health seniors Mia Nasr and

Reem El Hajj, who ran as independents. Their plans include regular town meetings with faculty members in order to make improvements to the program, a syndicate to organize the profession, interfaculty sports tournaments to keep fit, and fostering the Zawtar Outreach program.

Another 3rd year candidate, Haroutioun Boyadjian, a Medical Lab student, agreed with Nasr and El Hajj about the deficiencies in the curriculum and the training that MLS students undertake.

He, however, also ran because “for four to five years, Armenian students have not had any representation in the USFC, which has caused several obstacles when planning out Armenian-related events.”

Environmental Health Junior Anthony Khoury Harb was supported by the Alternative Front, yet also ex-

Elections in progress at FHS

pressed the same ideas as the other candidates. Having learned from his experience of running with a political group, he stated that, “To make a change, you have to do it yourself. No one thinks about [us].” Lama Al Aridi, another candidate for the second year, echoed his sentiments, as did his runningmate Nour Saab, who expressed her disgust with Lebanese politics and how they affect college elections.

(Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

Similarly to the day’s proceedings, ballot counting went by with no incident.

Graduate seats were claimed

by MPH students Kareem El Zein (51) and Farah Saab (45), and MS in Population Health student Silvia Kouyounjian (39).

Maher Khalifeh (41), Environmental Health, and Mohamed Homayed (36), Medical Laboratory Sciences, won the allocated Sophomore seats, while Crista Bas-

sil (19) and George Abou Haidar (14), both MLS, won the junior seats.

Reem El Hajj (24) and Mia Nasr (24), both Environmental Health, prevailed as the senior class representatives.

Commenting on these results, was 2009-2010 SRC President Wilfred Chahine who hoped the new SRC “would do a lot of good for the faculty and work as a team to achieve that.”

Faculty of Medicine Experiences Close Electoral Process Joseph Saba Wajiha Jurdi-Kheir Staff Writers

N

ovember 24, 2010 started out like just another day in Med School for the majority of Faculty of Medicine (FM) students. In fact, the only reminders of Election Day were the presence of army officials outside Medical Gate and the hassle of having to show IDs after every return from much needed coffee breaks.

Election spirit started kicking in shortly after polling booths opened, with students rushing to vote in their sparse time. While candidates tried to spend as much time as possible outside Issam Fares Auditorium, doing some last minute campaigning, there was no obvious mention of any political parties. In fact, most candidates ran as independents.

“The SRC should not be a stage for political party

feuds, but an arena where students agree to take students’ affairs to the next level,” said Med III student Sara Hassan. Her statement was echoed by many, with Med I student Joe Cherabie hoping that the “FM SRC is different than that of FAS or any of the other faculties and will actually listen to the students instead of worrying about the politics going on outside AUB’s gates.”

Med IV candidate Rouba Abdennour believes that her involvement in numerous extracurricular activities like Red Cross and LeMSIC has helped improve her teamwork and leadership skills. “I believe I am capable of making valuable, lasting changes to the medical school which will be of benefit to all classes.” Abdennour’s statement highlights the importance of two aspects of the electoral process in FM, running independent and promising

change. “Now that we are in Medical School, it’s a different reality; we are like a family. We care about the issues more than politics because they affect us all,” said Med I candidate Huda Sheheitly.

With Med Students’ hectic lifestyles, it is no wonder they want and need change.

“I see so many requests being neglected; I won’t stand there and observe nonchalantly when I know I can make a difference,” said Med II candidate Karim Yatim.

For the most part, FM students have succeeded in freeing elections of political ties.

“It’s more objective here; most students vote based on friendships and a person’s ability. This is rarely found in other faculties, and I hope it becomes the norm,” said Med II student Gebran Khneizer. FM may be a special situation because of all the pressure students face every day. “In Medicine we are

all in the same ditch, and regardless of any differences, we always stick together,” said Med II candidate Hala Maalouf. Moreover, friendship definitely plays an important role in FM. “I have close relationships with more than 75% of the students in class, and I know most of the students’ needs and concerns,” stated Med II candidate Mohammad Bitar.

A testament to this spirit of benevolence in FM is the fact the Med III candidates Khalil Anouti and Stephanie Bustros won by acclimation. “It’s great that for once, everyone has agreed [on] our representation. Besides, Khalil Anouti rocks,” joked Med III student Omar Kreidieh.

Despite the aforementioned friendships between the candidates, there were many close calls. Counting started off with the Med I section, where Ali Shams took over with 40 votes, and 2nd place

was won by Huda Sheheitly (27 votes), barely overcoming Christina Berqvist’s 26 votes and Afif Harb’s 25 votes. It was not as close with the Med II students, where Mohammad Bittar (49 votes) and Yatim (45 votes) were elected as representatives. In one of the closest electoral processes, Ahmad Younes was the first elected student representative (SR) with 23 votes, while the second seat will to be determined after a tie between Ihab Saab and Rouba Abdennour at 22 votes.

Michel Corban received 20 votes, and one surprise was having 8 void ballots, which could have easily played out the voting process differently. The Med Graduates was a one-sided encounter, with Wiam Haidar receiving 25 votes to secure the Graduate seat.

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Outlook

campus news

Nov 25, 2010

November Rain Concert Takes AUB by Storm Caterina Belardi Staff Writer

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n Tuesday, November 9, skilled musicians and bands got together to rock the evening in Bathish Auditorium. The concert, entitled November Rain, was organized by the AUB’s Music Club and sponsored by the AUB President’s Club, Doculand, Seebeck and Radio One. Tarek Abi Mosleh, President of AUB’s Music Club, states, “[The] mission [of these events] is to give musicians the chance to promote and share their music,” and

the specific intent behind November Rain was “to welcome this usually rainy month with musical passion.” The enthusiasm and talent poured out of each artist. The audience welcomed the various housebands, which included: The Passive Standouts, Plugged, Homemade and Lazzy Lung, along with a series of talented solo and duet performances.

The show was hosted by Whard Sleiman, Vice President of the club, who guided the audience through the

night with great enthusiasm.

The event opened with The Passive Standouts, who, despite some technical difficulties, were able to deliver an upbeat and engaging performance, which set the concert on a promising note. Plugged followed, with its original alternative rock tracks, announcing that this would be a farewell concert for their bass guitarist. Next came Homemade, the band that raised the female cheer decibel frequency to a whole new level. Last, but not least, came

Lazzy Lung, who closed the house-band series.

In between the band performances, other artists came to the stage, immersing the audience in the high notes of the Phantom of the Opera’s main track. Next came the Jamal brothers with a piano number, followed by Sara and Hiba performing unplugged covers of emotional tracks. Clovis and his mom sang a creative Blues piece, and what came last was a sing-along to “Wherever You Will Go.”

Joy Ismail, member of the Music Club, stated, “The concert made me feel proud of AUB and the Music Club.”

Abi Mosleh stated, “What I really enjoyed was the diversity which really brought music to life.” He also thanked “the sponsors for their precious help, the bands for their professionalism, support, creativity, the club members for being so active and helpful, and last, but not least, the crowd, which was simply amazing!”

Secular Club’s Double Resolution Explaining Secularism Through Comedy and Discussing Conflict Resolution

Fouad Badaoui Senior Staff Writer

T

he Secular Club held 2 simultaneous events on Thursday, November 11: the Permanent Peace Movement held a workshop on conflict resolution in West Hall’s Auditorium C and standup comedian Mazen Abdallah explained the concept of Secularism using his own personal experience and humor in Auditorium A. In the comedy event entitled “No I am not friends with the Devil: Secularism explained,” English Language Graduate student and standup comedian Mazen Abdallah took the floor after being briefly introduced by Lebanese blogger Giovanni Reaidy. Under the guise of sarcasm, irony and farce, he gave some personal accounts and explained how AUB shaped his secular opinions. Abdallah started off by telling his audience of his childhood holiday memories from the States.

He reminisced celebrating

Christmas and post-9/11 Ramadan with “Omar, Ahmad and agent McKiness from the FBI” then talked about his move to Lebanon. Here, he said, he lost his Christmas spirit due to the commercialization of the holiday. Consequently, Abdallah had launched a comedy show criticizing Christmas and the lack of connection between the tree and Jesus: “Let’s burn the Christmas tree.”

He then joked about the audience’s negative reactions, saying that, at the time, he had received “more hate mail than usual.” “What’s next, the Easter Bunny Crusade” he asked, mockingly.

Abdallah then talked about his early AUB experiences, within a much more diverse society than the town of Tripoli, which he described as “the opposite of Disneyland.” He then started questioning the religious fundamentals with which he himself was raised.

“This was before Google,” he claimed in trying to explain that it was common for parents to misinterpret religion to their children. Abdallah said that religion can slowly shift from spirituality to individuality and that “if you don’t secularize what you believe in, it will be like a flag.”

Abdallah wished to clear up the misconception of Secularism being synonymous to Atheism and said that Secularism ensured every person’s religious freedoms by keeping religion “spiritual and separate” from political entities. He criticized those who talk about God in secular debates, saying “that’s like bringing a bazooka to a fist fight.”

Abdallah also talked about his first experiences with the SRC elections, remembering the intensity with which candidates and participants were shouting at each other: “is the cafeteria food real-

ly that expensive?” He criticized sectarian politics in the elections, claiming that “if you win the elections, nothing happens.”

The Permanent Peace Movement (PPM) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that focuses on peace building initiatives and dialogue in Lebanon and the MENA region. PPM also participates in increasing arms control, reducing the number of child soldiers and organizing workshops on conflict resolution. PPM President Fadi Abi Allaam held the role of trainer at the workshop and initiated it with a brief explanation of a leader’s characteristics. Attendees then provided aspects of conflicts that came to mind, and Abi Allaam revealed that most of these aspects were negative whereas the positive ones only came to those who looked to resolving a conflict.

Conflict resolution is the

third step when dealing with a conflict (the first 2 being management and transformation). According to Abi Allaam, resolution is initiated by discussion and an understanding of the opposite party’s needs and problems. This should be followed by compromise and the inclusion of a third party. Finally, a violent solution is the least favorable one and should only be considered after all other options are spent.

In conclusion, the effect of the media on global conflicts was discussed and the importance of the discussion step was further emphasized when Abi Allaam stressed the necessary step of understanding the other party. After the meeting, he expressed satisfaction with the work done and the level of interaction among participants, many of which said they would like to see another workshop.

Nov 25, 2010

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campus news Between Illusion and Reality:

Pianist Geoffrey Saba Performs Live at Assembly Hall Khodor Abou Daya Staff Writer “

A

mazing”, “invigorating”, “a story of love, death, and regeneration”, “his passion overwhelmed my ability to criticize; he was in control” are a superficial layer of the deep impressions internationally acclaimed classical pianist Geoffrey Saba engraved in the minds and souls of a humble audience in AUB’s Assembly Hall on Friday November 12 at 8:00 pm.

Geoffrey Saba’s talent is acknowledged world-wide. He has performed in Great Brit-

ain since the 1970’s and was awarded a bronze medal at the First Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition. Regular touring takes him to North America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East, India, Japan, South East Asia and his native land, Australia.

In his celebrated performance, Saba goes beyond the typical classical pianist and becomes a puppet master of sorts. His tightly controlled rhythm, despite the rhythmic complexity throughout the recital, gave him an advantage over the audience’s trail of thoughts, causing them to slowly drown in the intensi-

ty and passion of the melodies. “It was as if there was a soundtrack to a narrative in my mind,” said AUB Biology Major and well-known blogger Giovanny Raidy.

Saba took control as he and his piano became one, radiating alternating rhythms and scales that manifested in the fluctuations of the audience’s behavior and facial expressions. Saba, then brought the audience to smile, cry, relax and pull up closer towards the edge of their seats, submitting to the authority of his music.

As the recital approached its end, Saba struck his final musical note and the audi-

Geoffrey Saba live at Assembly Hall

ence rose in standing ovation for the master who stood up, only to sit back down again and reward his people’s appreciation for his talent with one last masterpiece.

Critics fail to find weaknesses in his performance. The Times eloquently describe

(Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

his work as “....exquisitely refined playing - strongly communicative and splendidly full-blooded.” This might be because his recitals are not performances but experiences to indulge in and learn from.

Beirut Spring Break Club Hosts FIFA Tournament Anis Kadado Staff Writer

L

ights off, two huge projector screens, 16 teams, 32 participants and a PlayStation 3 (PS3) console. Can life get any more perfect? This was the exact scene in Auditorium C on Wednesday, November 9 where a PlayStation 3 FIFA tournament was held by Beirut Spring Break (BsB), a club that is part of an international student body and present in 13 different universities in Lebanon. Rachid Akiki, the creator of this club, firmly stated that “the events organized by BsB are creative and original because this is the image we want to promote for students coming from abroad, especially the Western world.” Rachid asserted that “events in the near future are being prepared, focusing on student activities from triathlons, to polyathlons, to trips abroad for spring breaks, with the primary aim of promoting Lebanon through the lifestyle of its students.”

Sponsored by Couch Potato Entertainment, the FIFA tournament turned out to be a memorable one. Each

of the 16 teams consisted of two players and a respective club, which ranged from the Spanish giants Barcelona, Italy’s five year consecutive title holder Inter Milan, and England’s Blue champs Chelsea. Not only was the prize for the winning team two PlayStation 3 games, but also a renowned and respected status in the AUB community as the FIFA 11 champions (definitely respected by every guy out there who

from the tournament. Seats in the auditorium were filled by friends and competitors, all so focused and concentrated on the games being played.

Suspense filled the auditorium; silence reigned over the viewers as maximum concentration was needed by the gamers. Every now and then a faint rumble of cheering and screaming filled the corridors of the third floor in West Hall, indicating a goal scored by one team or the other. The

“Definitely respected by every guy out there who has spent endless, sleepless nights in front of his game console” has spent endless, sleepless nights in front of his game console). In case two competing teams chose the same two clubs, a coin was tossed to decide who gets to play with the primary club and who needs to choose a secondary one to play with. The duration of every game was twelve minutes, and each game was a knockout one where the losing team was eliminated

eventual winners of the tournament were Moustafa Bahsoun and Tarek Hariri, rewarded with the prize of a PS3 FIFA 11game. A final ovation to Beirut Spring Break for providing students with a distraction from the hard-core studying, politics, and the likes experienced everyday at AUB, not to forget the few good hours spent away from the real world.

“Photo courtesy of Beirut Spring Break”

8

Outlook

campus news

Nov 25, 2010

Geological Discovery May Help Predict Future Earthquakes in Lebanon Outlook Staff (This is a corrected version of the article that appeared on 9 November)

M

any are not aware that Lebanon experiences periodic major earthquakes every few hundred years. In September, Dr. Ata Elias, assistant professor of Geology at AUB, and his colleague discovered an unmapped portion of a major fault line, the Yammouneh, which crosses Lebanon. This scientific breakthrough will aid geologists in creating a more precise time frame of past earthquakes along the fault, as well as help them estimate when future earthquakes may occur.

Elias, who spends a large amount of his time conducting geological field research, along with Dr. Yann Klinger of the Institute for Physics

of the Globe-Paris, and two AUB students, Rami Farhat and Sami Sheikh Hussein, spent approximately two weeks in late September in the Marjahine area of Hermel, digging trenches, measuring landscape features and recording their observations.

During the expedition, the researchers uncovered a section of the lengthy Yammouneh fault line that to date had not been studied by scientists.

A fault is an imaginary plane that separates two blocks of the earth’s surface, with the blocks moving in respect to each other. By mapping the speed and movements of the blocks, geologists can esti-

mate future movements, and therefore potential earthquakes.

The researchers’ discovery is significant not only scientifically, but also for its possible practical application.

Improved forecasting of earthquakes means precautions can be taken early, before disaster strikes. Buildings and public spaces can be improved to withstand major earthquake damage, and people can be informed as to what to do during such a natural disaster.

Speaking about the public’s perception of geology, Elias notes that, “Most people imagine that a geologist’s job is just to look at rocks for a living.” In fact, geology is

ranked among the highest salaries in the US, although it is too often undervalued in Lebanon.

Compared with archeologists, who by studying archeological artifacts and structures try to understand the ancient civilizations that created them, a geologist looks at Earth’s structure and tries to understand nature. “We try to understand the universe as a whole,” remarks Elias. In fact, the etymology of the word geology is from the Greek “gi,” for Earth, and “logos,” for word, speech, or discourse. “The exciting work of a geologist deals with climate, biosphere, evolution, fossils, the physics of the Earth and the laws that

govern it.” Unfortunately, the main interest of students seeking a degree in geology is to work in the oil industry, laments Elias. “Very few choose to go into research.”

This discovery will hopefully pave the way for future ones, as well as a new appreciation for geology as both an occupation and as a science.

“Working for an oil company improves your bank account, but does nothing for people.

They are two very different outcomes,” says Elias. “I believe my work makes a difference in my life and in that of others, too”.

Press the Right Buttons

Press Responsibilities in Conflict Resolution Lana El Sahely Contributing Writer

O

n Wednesday, November 10, a conference titled “Press Responsibilities in Conflict Resolution,” was held in Bathish Auditorium.

The conference started with facts about Media Studies and how challenging it is for universities to keep up with the dynamic world today.

This lecture happens to coincide with many different initiatives being undertaken to further Media Studies in AUB. For instance, AUB has recently signed an exchange program agreement with The Danish School of Journalism in an effort to further expand Media Studies. More-

over, AUB is introducing a new graduate program in the field, as well a new course in Digital Literacy, introduced this fall, which is a first in the Middle East.

The Ambassador of Denmark, Mr. Jan Top Christensen had a quick word about the press and its objective of improving its own credibility. He emphasized that the press should meet its responsibilities and obligations during pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict phases. Through history, it was apparent that press coverage had a substantial role, whether some conflicts where resolved or exaggerated.

“Genuinely free press” is, according to Christensen, what we should expect. He also briefly talked about journalism in Denmark and Lebanon. Apparently, in Lebanon, there are very little investigations; people are not really intellectually challenged.

What they seem to look for is an enhancement to their political views, in contrast to pressing socio-economical status-quo issues.

Mr. Nabil Dajjani, who published a book accusing media of failing at playing a responsible war during the Lebanese conflict, continued the lecture. He stated that the press seems free from gov-

ernment intervention but influenced by sectarian and private interests, posing the question: to what extent is press involved in conflict resolution?

For this discussion, he introduced Mrs. Karma Khayyat, Desk Director at NewTv. She represented the role of television, while Mr. Hanna Anbar, Associate Editor of the DailyStar, talked about the role of print media. Anbar defended the media’s role of getting news from politicians and not “sugar-coating what they say.” He concentrated on the fact that only 1% of the Lebanese population reads newspapers, and appealed to

our responsibilities as AUB students to do something, to impose our points of view onto the media.

Khayyat gave examples she witnessed where journalists got into controversial situations enhancing a misunderstanding just by revealing a truth. “Journalists love conflicts,” she said to explain that this search for proof is the highest level of journalistic investment. The media “informs, entertains and educates.” This is its importance; journalists are not responsible for building peace.

“It is the greatest manifestation of power to be calm” --Swami Vivekanadi

Nov 25, 2010

Outlook

campus news

SRC Survey Statistics

9

Outlook

10

out loud

Nov 25, 2010

This week’s “Out Loud” is brought to you by Outlook Staff Writer Samer Bu Jawdeh, giving you the opportunity to convey your opinions on AUB-related issues. Want to be heard? Find Samer on campus, give him your thoughts and your picture and feedback just might be incorporated into Outlook’s next issue.

Samer Bu Jawdeh

Why are you nominating yourself for SRC?

“If students could make a change, I want to be part of that change.”

(Ramy Fakih, Biology Junior).

“I, Marwa Bohsali, was brainwashed from before and now…I am a pure independent candidate of AUB FAS Junior…Don’t let them brainwash you.”

(Marwa Bohsali, Junior)

“It is a nice experience. You get to know people during the campaign, and you build friendships with them especially with the students working for you. It is nice to leave a mark in AUB before leaving.”

(Tracy Helou, Economics 3rd year).

“I would like to be a representative in the SRC to help out students. I have lots of things to contribute.” (Karl Dagher, 2nd year Mechanical).

“Honestly, I liked to run for elections this year. My ideology is secular, and I like to apply secular concepts in university.” (Mark Saroufim, 3rd year ECE).

“Change starts from here. We should promote secularism through education to get rid of sectarianism.” (Rakel Mezher, 1st year Chemical).

(All pictures by Wael Salem and Samer Bu Jawdeh)

Nov 25, 2010

Outlook

out loud

11

This week’s “Out Loud” is brought to you by Outlook Staff Writer Samer Bu Jawdeh, giving you the opportunity to convey your opinions on AUB-related issues. Want to be heard? Find Samer on campus, give him your thoughts and your picture and feedback just might be incorporated into Outlook’s next issue.

Samer Bu Jawdeh

Q: What are your thoughts on the SRC elections?

“Personally, I don’t care because student elections shouldn’t be politicized… that’s simply it.” (Ghassan Jdeed, Agriculture.)

“I’m voting for the fun of it. It is not going to matter who wins because in the end its history repeating itself.” (Bassel Makarem, Biology Junior).

“There is no free thought, just give me the list and I’ll put it.” (Ahmad Hamdan, Computer Science, commenting on the AUB elections). “Politics is creating tension which is not good. Politics should not interfere in student life.”

“We should vote to change the whole situation. We need people that actually work for AUB with independent opinions rather than following people. Some nominees are good, but most are politically affiliated which ruins the purpose to improve AUB life.” (Talal Naboulsi, 1st year Mechanical).

“Politics is sectarianism; representatives are chosen by their religion regardless of their qualification. Vote independent.” (Iyad Raya, 3rd year ECE)

“We shouldn’t boycott; we should vote though it will all be political. No one who gets elected will work. If any change is to happen it will be from outside SRC or USFC and not from the corrupted inside.” (Omar Nawfal, 3rd year Biology).

(All pictures by Wael Salem and Samer Bu Jawdeh)

12

Outlook

Spotlight

Nov 25, 2010

Students at Work chant in unison during Tuesday’s elections drive (Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

The We Will Campaign gathers momentum during Tuesday’s elections drive (Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

Alternative Front take a stand (Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

Students at Work evenly distribute themselves across from West Hall (Photo

by Wael Salem)

Order of Engineers and We Will supporters mingle (Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

Student Voters and Dean Nizameddin (of Student Affairs) gather in front of West Hall (Photo by Lotfi Al Salah)

Nov 25, 2010

Outlook

sports

(All photos by Ahmad Itani – Office of Communications)

13

‫‪No v 25, 2010‬‬

‫‪Outlook‬‬

‫‪arabic news‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ك ّلنا للوطن؟‬

‫مرمي العلي‬ ‫مح ّررة‬

‫لم يحضر اجلميع ظهر يوم‬ ‫اجلمعة لتح ّية العلم اللبناني‬ ‫أمام مبنى الوست هول‪ .‬والذين‬ ‫حضروا تبعثروا متف ّرقني في‬ ‫املساحة الفارغة قبالة الدرج‬ ‫اخلالي‪ ،‬تلك املساحة التي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫الصف الطويل من‬ ‫ض ّيقها‬ ‫“الستاندات” اخلشبية املر ّوجة‬ ‫اّ‬ ‫الطلبية الرتيبة‪.‬‬ ‫لالنتخابات‬

‫اّ‬ ‫الطلب طالل‬ ‫خرج عميد شؤون‬ ‫نظام الدين ومعه ّ‬ ‫كل العاملني‬ ‫في املبنى‪ ،‬ووقفوا ص ًفا واح ًدا‬ ‫لصف “الستاندات”‬ ‫موازيًا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫املواجهة‪ ،‬ولكن من فوق الدرج‪.‬‬ ‫وشت وقفتهم تلك ببعض‬ ‫سلطة وبهيبة محتومة‪ .‬أُطلق‬ ‫النشيد الوطني اللبناني عبر‬ ‫مك ّبر للصوت‪ .‬صمت اجلميع‪،‬‬ ‫ووقفوا‪ ،‬نظروا في الفراغ‪ ،‬وفي‬ ‫حدتها لم‬ ‫عيونهم ملعة على ّ‬ ‫تفضح ما ّ‬ ‫فكروا فيه في تلك‬ ‫اللحظات‪ .‬واخترق جم َعهم‬ ‫املا ّرون في االجتاهني‪ ،‬الذين‬ ‫أصموا آذانهم وأبصارهم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عما كان يجري‪ .‬معذورون ربمّ ا‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يستعجلون اخلطى ليلتحقوا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫بصف ما‪ .‬وتعالى التصفيق‬ ‫ختا ًما للنشيد‪ ،‬الذي يحفظ‬ ‫منه معظمهم مقطعه األ ّول‬ ‫فقط‪ ،‬وهم القائلون لدى سؤالي‬ ‫“أرجوك‪ ،‬ال تسألينا‬ ‫لهم‪:‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫عن النشيد”! سأخبرك عن‬

‫أجوبتهم وسؤالي بعد قليل‪.‬‬ ‫علينا أن نسكت اآلن احترا ًما‬ ‫لنشيد اجلامعة الذي تال النشيد‬ ‫الوطني‪ .‬عال باإلنكليزية‪ ،‬لكنّه‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يغطي على بعض الكالم‬ ‫لم‬ ‫الذي لم يستطع البعض أن‬ ‫يؤجله في تلك األثناء‪ .‬اجلميع‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫صفق بعد الـ ‪،Alma Mater‬‬ ‫لكن ليس باحلماسة نفسها‪.‬‬ ‫ثم تك ّلم العميد‪ ،‬كانت لهجته‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫هادئة‪ ،‬اختار أن يلقي خطابه‬ ‫األ ّول له في هكذا مناسبة أمام‬ ‫اّ‬ ‫الطلب باإلنكليزية‪ ،‬وهو الذي‬ ‫تس ّلم مهامه حدي ًثا من عميدنا‬ ‫السابق مارون كسرواني‪ .‬كان‬ ‫اخلطاب مبعظمه توظي ًفا‬ ‫للمناسبة السعيدة واستعارة‬ ‫من روح الوطن ّية احلاضرة فيها‪،‬‬ ‫اّ‬ ‫يستعدون‬ ‫الطلب الذين‬ ‫لتذكير‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫اّ‬ ‫الطلبية بشيء‬ ‫لالنتخابات‬ ‫يجمعهم‪ .‬بلبنان‪ ،‬الوطن الذي‬ ‫و ّفر للجامعة‪ ،‬بحسب نظام‬ ‫الدين‪ ،‬مساحة احل ّرية‪ّ .‬‬ ‫ذكر‬

‫الشباب بااللتزام اجتاه الوطن‪،‬‬ ‫وضرورة احلفاظ على أمنه ومن‬ ‫بعد على سمعة اجلامعة‬ ‫األميركية‪ .‬فهم‪ ،‬كما ختم‪َ ،‬من‬ ‫بيده الق ّوة واملسؤولية‪ّ .‬‬ ‫صفق‬ ‫اجلميع م ّرة ثالثة ونزل العميد‬ ‫ليرفع العلم على يسار املبنى‪،‬‬ ‫والعيون تراقب تعاليه حتى‬ ‫ض احلفل‪.‬‬ ‫أعلى نقطة‪ .‬هكذا ُف ّ‬ ‫ودعونا ال نذكر بعض الطابات‬ ‫الصفر التي راحت تتطاير في‬ ‫اجل ّو‪ ،‬فالفريق االنتخابي األصفر‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يؤكد حضوره في “الساحة”‬ ‫ويقابله فريق آخر مشتّت‪ ،‬أو‬ ‫هكذا بدا‪ ،‬يحاول ر ّد الطابات إلى‬ ‫أصحابها‪ .‬فلننظر إلى ما فوق‬ ‫الرؤوس والطابات‪ ،‬إلى العلم‬ ‫العالي‪ .‬سألت بعض الواقفني‬ ‫عما يجول في خاطرهم عندما‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ينظرون إلى العلم‪“ .‬اجليش‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أفكر باجليش”‪ ،‬هكذا أجابت‬ ‫أ ّول صب ّية‪ .‬بعض الشباب‬ ‫كان متشائ ًما‪ ،‬فمنهم من‬

‫ذكر “بشارة اخلوري‪ -‬ألنّو ّ‬ ‫بطل‬ ‫في متلو”‪ ،‬ومنهم من نعى‬ ‫“االستقالل املز ّيف لوطن‬ ‫زجاجي مبني على املناسبات!”‬ ‫ومنهم من ذهب بتشاؤمه‬ ‫احلد األقصى فأجابني‪:‬‬ ‫إلى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫“احتفال بالالشيء‪ ،‬هذا ما‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫أفكر به!” فريق آخر آثر التفاؤل‬ ‫واألمل ّ‬ ‫ففكر بـ “لبنان”‪ ،‬و”حلم‬ ‫لبنان”‪ ،‬و”العلم”‪ .‬وما بني هذا‬ ‫الفريق وذاك‪ ،‬أحدهم قال أنّه‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يفكر بوالده أل ّن والده ببساطة‪،‬‬ ‫“بيحب لبنان كتير”‪ ،‬وأحدهم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫‪...‬فكروا‬ ‫قال‪“ :‬السيد حسن!”‬ ‫يتحد مع‬ ‫وأجابوا‪ ،‬والعلم واحد‪،‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫السماء الزرقاء‪ ،‬بالعالي‪ .‬أليس‬ ‫لبنان “قطعة سما”؟ فعسى أن‬ ‫يبقى رجاله‪ ،‬ليبقى‪ ،‬وليتراكم‬ ‫ع ّزه حتى السماء السابعة‪.‬‬

‫رابطة اإلنعاش القومي (‪ )CWL‬املشرق العربي في القرن ‪21‬‬ ‫مصطفى فضل اهلل‬ ‫كاتب صحفي‬

‫أقامت رابطة اإلنعاش القومي‬ ‫في اجلامعة األميركية في بيروت‬ ‫يوم الثالثاء الواقع في ‪ 9‬تشرين‬ ‫الثاني احلالي محاضرة بعنوان‬ ‫“املشرق العربي في القرن‬ ‫الواحد والعشرين” للباحث‬ ‫األستاذ أسامة عجاج املهتار‪.‬‬ ‫قاعة األوديتوريوم ‪ A‬تعج‬ ‫باحلضور‪ .‬يدعو املقدم األستاذ‬ ‫أسامة ليمسك باملنبر‪ ،‬وكذا‬ ‫كان يرافقه تصفيق احلضور‪.‬‬ ‫يبدأ املهتار باستنكار اخلوف‬ ‫الذي أبدته إدارة اجلامعة من أن‬ ‫يوضع إسم الهالل اخلصيب‬ ‫كعنوان للمحاضرة‪ ،‬وكيف‬ ‫أصبحنا في عصر يكون اإلميان‬ ‫بتلك الفكرة مبثابة اإلتهام‪،‬‬ ‫منهيا ً التعليق قائالً “أنت ال‬ ‫تستطيع أن تواجه مشكلة ما‬ ‫من دون أن تسميها”‪.‬‬ ‫يفتتح احملاضر كالمه بتعريف‬ ‫منطقة الهالل اخلصيب على‬ ‫أنها بشكل قوس متتد شماال ً‬ ‫من دلتا النيل عبر فلسطني‬

‫وشرق املتوسط‪ ،‬ثم تنعطف‬ ‫شرقا ً على طول هضاب‬ ‫األناضول إلى أن تنتهي على‬ ‫املرتفعات الواقعة بني إيران‬ ‫وبحر قزوين على الطرف اآلخر‬ ‫من وديان أنهار بالد الرافدين‪.‬‬ ‫وأهمية هذه املنطقة أنها‬ ‫كانت حاضنة جلميع احلضارات‬ ‫القدمية السومرية مثل األكادية‬ ‫والبابلية وااألشورية والكنعانية‬ ‫واآلرام ّية‪ ،‬فكانت منطقة جذب‬ ‫أو إنطالق للغزوات و الفتوحات‪.‬‬ ‫وسبب جاذبية هذه املنطقة كان‬ ‫موقعها اإلستراتيجي وخصوبة‬ ‫أرضها وكثافة مياهها ومناخها‬ ‫املعتدل نسب ًيا‪ .‬ويستمر هذا‬ ‫الصراع اليوم‪.‬‬ ‫التحدي الوجودي هو الذي يهدد‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حيا ًة ما باإلنقراض أو البؤس‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫والذل على حسنة اجملتمع‬ ‫الدولي واجلمعيات اخليرية‪ ،‬و‬ ‫التحديات التي تواجه منطقة‬ ‫الهالل اخلصيب هي مواجهة‬ ‫أخطار فقدان مقومات احلياة‬

‫وأراض زراعية‬ ‫من مياه وطاقة‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫وهواء نظيف‪ .‬أوال‪ ،‬اإلنفجار‬ ‫السكاني في املنطقة‪ ،‬فعدد‬ ‫السكان هناك يتضاعف تقري ًبا‬ ‫كل عقدين من الزمن‪ ،‬واملشكلة‬ ‫فتي ج ًدا‪ ،‬والسؤال‬ ‫أنه مجتمع ّ‬ ‫املطروح هو أين سيسكن هؤالء‬ ‫الناس و ماذا سيأكلون ؟ الزيادة‬ ‫حتمي في‬ ‫ستؤدي إلى تطاحن‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫املنطقة‪ .‬ثانياً‪ ،‬املياه اإلنتحار‬ ‫البيئي‪ ،‬فهناك تناقص سريع‬ ‫جدا ً في كمية املياه مترافقة‬ ‫مع موجة جفاف حتاصر العالم‬ ‫تبخر‬ ‫وهذا ما سيؤدي إلى‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫اخلزانات اجلوفية بشكل أسرع‪.‬‬ ‫ومحاربة ذلك يستوجب الدفاع‬ ‫عن احلقوق القومية في املياه‬ ‫إذا أردناها حقو ًقا ! بعد هزمية‬ ‫العثمانيني رفض أتاتورك إمضاء‬ ‫معاهدة سيفر وفتح حربا ً على‬ ‫ثالث جبهات ليسترجع جزئا ً من‬ ‫األراضي في معاهدة لوزان بعد‬ ‫ذلك‪ ،‬فهو منذ ذلك احلني أدرك‬ ‫خطورة التخ ّلي عن تلك املنطقة‬

‫وأهمية مياهها املتدفقة‪،‬‬ ‫وبدأ حينها مشروع الـ ‪GAP‬‬ ‫إهتم به اإلسرائيل ّيون‪،‬‬ ‫الذي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫حصصا ج ّيدة‬ ‫وإشتروا فيه‬ ‫ً‬ ‫وإشتروا أيضا ً‬ ‫أراض كثيرة في‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫تلك املنطقة ونحن في العسل‬ ‫نائمون منذ حينها ! وعندما‬ ‫السدود ال ‪ 10‬ا ّلتي‬ ‫تنتهي ّ‬ ‫تقيمها تركيا في هذه األيام‬ ‫ستحدث مشكالت هائلة‪ ،‬علما ً‬ ‫أن ترك ّيا تقوم بهذا على أساس‬ ‫ترتيبات ومزاج ّيات سياس ّية ال‬ ‫على أساس إتفاقات يجب أن‬ ‫جتريها مع الدول املستفيدة من‬ ‫هذه األنهار‪.‬‬ ‫نحن اليوم في مواجهة كالبة‪،‬‬ ‫مجتمع إيراني قوي ومتوحد‬ ‫ومجتمع تركي قوي ومتوحد‪.‬‬ ‫وحتاصرنا املشاكل التفتيت ّية‬ ‫و التّقسيمية‪ ،‬فمتى نستمع‬ ‫إلى أنطون سعادة الذي قالها‬ ‫يوما ً “نحن أمة واقفة بني احلياة‬ ‫و املوت‪ .‬فماذا أعددنا؟”‪ ،‬سؤال‬ ‫نطرحه‪ .‬ال ميكننا أن نضع حلوال‬

‫موحدين‪ ،‬وهذا‬ ‫بدون أن نكون‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يتحقق إال بأن نرسم نظرة‬ ‫ال‬ ‫إنسانية جديدة ال تخضع‬ ‫للتقسيم ّ‬ ‫الطائفي والعرقي‪.‬‬ ‫يجب أن تنظم حركة شعبية‬ ‫عامة تتعامل مع ملفات الكذب‬ ‫والدجل السياسي لتمنع‬ ‫التجاوزات وترفض التفرقة‪،‬‬ ‫واحلل بأن ندرك أن ال وقت لدينا‬ ‫وأن نستفيد من تعددنا وتعدد‬ ‫اخلارجية‪ .‬علينا‬ ‫عالقاتنا‬ ‫أيضا ً أن نستفيد من التغ ّيرات‬ ‫السياس ّية فمثال أل ّول مرة في‬ ‫التاريخ تضع تركيا إسرائيل‬ ‫على أنها عدوة للشعب التركي‪،‬‬ ‫وبالتالي علينا أن نح ّول نقاط‬ ‫اإلشتعال إلى نقاط إلتقاء‪ .‬و‬ ‫أخيرا ً هل يسدل الستار على‬ ‫هالل كان خصي ًبا وغدا ً يغدو‬ ‫صحراء ؟‬

‫احلقيقي هو الذي يشعر بلبنان‪ ،‬وليس الذي ولد في لبنان‪” .‬‬ ‫“أتص ّور أ ّن اللبناني‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫‪--‬موسى الصدر‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪Outlook‬‬

‫‪arabic opinion‬‬

‫‪No v 25, 2010‬‬

‫املقامة العربية‪( :‬رؤية مستقبلية بعد ‪ 50‬سنة من اآلن)‬

‫عامر الصريع‬ ‫كاتب صحفي‬

‫األسدي‬ ‫الهزَبر‬ ‫حدثنا‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ليثأنبن ِ‬ ‫مللت في الغرب ِة‬ ‫قال‪ :‬بعد‬ ‫ط ّيتي ورحلي‪،‬‬ ‫منزلي‪ّ ،‬‬ ‫جهزت َم ِ‬ ‫رب العبادِ كان ّ‬ ‫توكلي‪.‬‬ ‫وعلى ّ‬ ‫قررت الذهاب ألرض العربان أرض‬ ‫األول‪.‬‬ ‫الزمان ِ‬ ‫خمسون سن ًة مرت‪ ،‬في بالد‬ ‫والتجه ِل‪ ،‬وها أنا ذا لم‬ ‫الغرب ِة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ألقى فيها إال شقائي وتذللي‪.‬‬ ‫منذ السنة األولى أحاول رجوعاً‪،‬‬ ‫تنصلي‪ .‬اآلن بعد أن‬ ‫ولم ينفع ّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َّبل‪ ،‬أعود إلى‬ ‫ت‬ ‫مل‬ ‫با‬ ‫عيت‬ ‫خت ودُ ُ‬ ‫ش ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫بي حيلي‪.‬‬ ‫ضاقت‬ ‫وقد‬ ‫دياري‬ ‫َ‬ ‫حلمص مسقط رأسي أعودُ‬ ‫همي وتع ّللي‪ ،‬أللقى‬ ‫ألُذهب‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫املتكهل‪ .‬ما الذي‬ ‫صديقي‬ ‫احلدار‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫صديقي‬ ‫سألت‬ ‫بديرتنا؟‪،‬‬ ‫حل‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫عت‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫املفض ِل‪ ،‬فقال‪ :‬لقد ض ّي َ‬

‫ما هو عيد األضحى؟‬

‫سارة الديراني‬ ‫كاتبة صحفية‬

‫منذ أيام سألتني إحدى زميالتي‬ ‫سؤالاً أثار دهشتي‪ ،‬أال وهو‪“ :‬ما‬ ‫هو عيد األضحى؟ وماذا يعني‬ ‫لكم هذا العيد؟”‪ .‬في بادئ‬ ‫األمر أدهشني سؤالها ألنني‬ ‫لم أكن أتخيل أن أح ًدا ال يعرف‬ ‫ما معنى هذا العيد‪ .‬وحينها‬ ‫أدركت أ ّن معنى هذا العيد ليس‬ ‫بديه ًيا عند ّ‬ ‫كل الناس كما هو‬ ‫بديهي عندنا نحن املسلمون‪.‬‬ ‫فانطال ًقا من هذا األمر قررت أن‬ ‫أكتب مقالي هذا لكي يتسنّى‬ ‫لي شرح أساس ومضمون هذا‬ ‫العيد‪.‬‬ ‫أهم‬ ‫عيد األضحى هو واح ٌد من ّ‬

‫ُع ُم َ‬ ‫رك في مجاهل طوكيو‪،‬‬ ‫وأدغال فلوريدا‪ ،‬وباريس بالد‬ ‫التوحل‪ .‬لقد رجعت احلضارة‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫النمل‬ ‫لنا‪ ،‬وح ّلت فينا محل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫املتغلغل‪ ،‬فآخر العلم منّا‪،‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ومركز التجارة عندنا‪ ،‬ودارنا دار‬ ‫والتفض ِل‪.‬‬ ‫الكرم‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫دولتنا عربية‪ ،‬حدودها عظيمة‬ ‫التطاول‪ .‬ما كان فينا من‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫تشعث‪ ،‬أمسى اليوم وحدة‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫العرب‬ ‫التكتل‪ .‬عملتنا‪ ،‬عمل ُة‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٌِ‬ ‫واحدة‪ ،‬فال فقيرَ فينا تلقى‪،‬‬ ‫وال شريدا ً يكسب رزقه من‬ ‫التسول‪ .‬ألبس مما نصنع‪ ،‬ومن‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫زرعنا تشرابي ومأكلي ‪...‬‬ ‫املتنجل‪،‬‬ ‫فعجبت للتقدم‬ ‫وقلت‪:‬‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫لنأتي األقطار ِمتتالية‪ ،‬وإن لم‬ ‫يكن الصدق حديثك‪ ،‬فدع مكانا ً‬ ‫َ‬ ‫للتزيل‪ ،‬فقال مستأثرا ً‪ :‬غدا ً‬

‫تبدي لك األيام ماكنت جتهله‪،‬‬ ‫بالتفاؤل‪.‬‬ ‫وتُبدل تشاؤمك‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وفعالً‪ ،‬كانت العراق وجهتنا‬ ‫األولى‪ ،‬عاصم َة التاريخ وأساطيرَ‬ ‫بابل‪ .‬ومن غبائي كنت طول‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الطريق أُحذر من حرس احلدود‬ ‫احلبائل‪ .‬وما إن‬ ‫وما ميلكوه من‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وصلنا احلدود حتى انذهلت‬ ‫‪ ..‬ال من شرطي هناك وال أثر‬ ‫مقاتل‪ .‬استراحات وفنادق‬ ‫ألي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ناسك‬ ‫لكل‬ ‫ومعابد‬ ‫حتولت‪،‬‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫متبتل‪ .‬فقلت للحدار مستغربا ً‪:‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫مراعي صارت‬ ‫أين احلدود؟ فقال‪:‬‬ ‫َ‬ ‫نصل‪ ،‬أضحت مدائن‪،‬‬ ‫ومنابت ِع‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أعزل‪.‬‬ ‫رحاب‬ ‫ت‬ ‫ال‬ ‫جميل‬ ‫ُمواطنها‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫أيام قضيناها‬ ‫بضعة‬ ‫وبعد‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫العراق‪ ،‬أتبعناها‬ ‫في مقاطعة‬ ‫التنقل‪ ،‬فبالد‬ ‫بشهر كثير‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ٍ‬ ‫العربان تنوعت ‪ ..‬حضاراتها‪،‬‬

‫التواصل‪.‬‬ ‫وتفنن ناسها بسبل‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫فرعابيب‪ ،‬تزين‬ ‫أما النساء‬ ‫ٌ‬ ‫والتكحل‪ .‬احلرب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫طرفهن باحلَ ِ‬ ‫نحن أسيادها‪ ،‬والتجارة نحن‬ ‫بالعلم‬ ‫عرابوها‪ ،‬وعرباننا ازدانت‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫املثقل‪.‬‬ ‫وبعد ِ أن رجعت حمص أخيرا ً‬ ‫رجع ًة ال رجع فيها‪ ،‬وعن بالد‬ ‫العرْ ِب لست مب ْع ِد ِل‪ .‬حمدت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫الرأس‪،‬‬ ‫رافع‬ ‫عروبتي‪،‬‬ ‫على‬ ‫ربي‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫متأمل‪ .‬عربي الهوى قلبي‪،‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫وما أحاله ‪ ..‬أن يغدو هوى قلبي‬ ‫مل‪( .‬يتبع‪)...‬‬ ‫بالعربي امل ُ َك ِ‬

‫ع ّلمتني جامعتي ‪...‬‬

‫األعياد اإلسالمية التي يحتفل‬ ‫بها املسلمون كافة من ّ‬ ‫كل‬ ‫بقاع األرض ‪ .‬وفي أ ّول أيام العيد‬ ‫يقوم احلجاج بتقدمي األضحيات‬ ‫لوجه اهلل تعالى‪ ،‬وتيمنا ً مبا‬ ‫جرى مع النبي إبراهيم‪ ،‬وذلك‬ ‫في منطقة اسمها “ ِمنى” في‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مكة‪ .‬كما ويقوم العديد من‬ ‫املسلمني في مختلف الدول‬ ‫بتقدمي أضحياتهم قربة إلى اهلل‬ ‫في هذه املناسبة‪ .‬وأما بالنسبة‬ ‫ملا جرى مع النبي إبراهيم والذي‬ ‫أساسا لوجود العيد ‪ ،‬فهو‬ ‫كان‬ ‫ً‬ ‫نخول‬ ‫أ ّن النبي إبراهيم كان نائما ً في ماري ّ‬ ‫إحدى الليالي فجاءه أمر من اهلل مساهمة صحفية‬ ‫بذبح إبنه إسماعيل عندما رأى‬ ‫في منامه أنه يذبحه‪ .‬فعرض يُقال أ ّن اجلامعة مرآة الوطن‪،‬‬ ‫النبي األمر على إبنه إسماعيل تعكس عقليته وتن ّوعاته‬ ‫أبت افعل ما السياسية والدينية واملذهبية‬ ‫الذي كان جوابه “يا ِ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫منوذجا ح ًيا عن جيل‬ ‫وتشكل‬ ‫تؤمر ستجدني إن شاء اهلل من ‪،‬‬ ‫ً‬ ‫الصابرين‪ ”.‬فحينها وإكرا ًما لمِ ا شاب اتخذ اجلامعة مأوًى له‬ ‫فعله النبيان من تلبية ألمر اهلل‪ .‬وملجأ ً ألفكاره وطموحاته ‪،‬‬ ‫قام اهلل بإرسال ذبح عظيم وانطلق منها للبحث عن ذاته‪.‬‬ ‫تعددت املواقف واآلراء‪ ،‬واختلفت‬ ‫من اجلنة للنبي إبراهيم لكي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫يضحيه عوضا ً عن إبنه‪ ،‬فمن وجهات النظر‪ ،‬سياس ًية كانت‬ ‫هنا كانت تسمية هذا العيد أم طائفية لتعود وتنصهر حتت‬ ‫سقف واحد وحتت علم واحد‬ ‫بعيد األضحى‪.‬‬ ‫أال وهو العلم اللبناني! من هنا‬ ‫حتوي اجلامعة األميركية ‪ ،‬كونها‬ ‫من أكبر اجلامعات في لبنان‬ ‫وأكثرها تن ّو ًعا‪ ،‬عين ًة كبيرة من‬ ‫طالب‪ ،‬كسروا احلواجز وجتاوزوا‬ ‫العقبات ‪ ،‬مظهرين للعلن‪،‬‬ ‫وبشفافية وموضوعية‪ ،‬وحد ًة‬

‫شبابي ًة مميزة‪.‬‬ ‫يبرز موضوع الوحدة الطالبية‬ ‫بشكل خاص في مساكن‬ ‫اجلامعة‪ ،‬التي حتتضن شبابا ً‬ ‫وشابات من جميع املناطق‬ ‫اللبنانية على ح ٍّد سواء‪.‬‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫وتشكل املساكن بتركيبتها‬ ‫األيديولوجية والدينية فرص ًة‬ ‫أمام ّ‬ ‫كل طالب لالحتكاك مع‬ ‫زمالئه فاحت ًة اجملال أمامه للتع ّرف‬ ‫على الدين اآلخر وما يتبعه من‬ ‫عادات وتقاليد ومناسبات‪.‬‬ ‫وتشدد على مبدأ تق ّبل اآلخر‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫كما هو‪ .‬جتدر اإلشارة هنا أ ّن‬ ‫مساكن اجلامعة ال تقتصر على‬ ‫إيواء طالب لبنانني وحسب‪،‬‬ ‫وإنمّ ا تفتح أفقا ً واسعة للتع ّرف‬ ‫على تالميذ من مختلف البالد‬ ‫وبالتالي تع ّزز مبدأ االنصهار‪.‬‬ ‫وفي حتقيق أُجري مع بعض‬ ‫طالب اجلامعة األميركية ‪ ،‬قالت‬ ‫عبير محفوظ‪( ،‬صور)‪ ”:‬هذا ما‬ ‫تو ّقعتهعندمجيئيإلىاجلامعة‪،‬‬ ‫فإنّها جزء من وطن يتّخذ التن ّوع‬ ‫الطائفي والسياسي عنوانا ً له‪.‬‬ ‫وتعكس اجلامعة األميركية‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫بشكل‬ ‫صورة هذا اجملتمع‪ ،‬وإنمّ ا‬ ‫أما الطالب‬ ‫أكثر حضارة “‪ّ .‬‬ ‫سام سليمان‪( ،‬اجلبل)‪ ،‬فص ّرح‬ ‫قائالً ‪ “ :‬لقد ع ّلمتني اجلامعة‪،‬‬ ‫بتن ّوعها ورونقها الفريد‪ ،‬أن‬ ‫أحترم اإلنسان وأعامله بنا ًء على‬ ‫شخصه وليس حسب إنتماءاته‬ ‫املذهبية أ ّيا ً كانت‪”.‬‬ ‫نعم‪ ،‬هذا ما حاولت اجلامعة‬ ‫األميركية أن تبني‪ .‬لقد انطلقت‬

‫التعدد للوصول إلى‬ ‫من مبدأ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مبدأ املشاركة والتعايش ومنع‬ ‫احلزازيات الطائفية والسياسية‪،‬‬ ‫أشد الظروف حساسية‬ ‫ولو في ّ‬ ‫كاالنتخابات الطالبية‪ .‬وتأكيدا ً‬ ‫على موقع ودور اجلامعة‬ ‫أشد هذه األواصر‪،‬‬ ‫األميركية في ّ‬ ‫يعتبر الطالب كارل سيف‪(،‬ذوق‬ ‫بحد ذاتها‬ ‫مصبح ) أ ّن اجلامعة ّ‬ ‫ويؤكد قائالً‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مرآة لصورة لبنان ‪،‬‬ ‫‪ “ :‬إ ّن عددا ً كبيرا ً من الطالب‬ ‫‪ ،‬يدخلون اجلامعة فاقدين أدنى‬ ‫املعلومات عن الدين اآلخر‪،‬‬ ‫وإن وجدت‪ ،‬تكون مج ّيشة‬ ‫وإنمّ ا‪ ،‬حلظة‬ ‫ومشحونة‪.‬‬ ‫دخولهم اجلامعة األميركية ‪،‬‬ ‫يتع ّلم التلميذ أن يحترم الدين‬ ‫املقابل ‪ ،‬وبأقصى موضوعية”‪.‬‬ ‫أما الطالبة جوزيان الذوقي(‬ ‫األشرفية)‪ ،‬فتعتقد أ ّن الفترة‬ ‫التي تقضيها في اجلامعة‬ ‫هي من أكثر الفترات التي‬ ‫تكسب املرء خبرة اجتماعية‬ ‫فاحتة األبواب جملتمع أكبر‪.‬‬ ‫وفي هذا التحقيق ‪ ،‬يرى القارئ‬ ‫أ ّن للطالب‪ ،‬على الرغم من‬ ‫تعدداتهم وانتماءاتهم‪ ،‬صورة‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫مشتركة عن اجلامعة األميركية‬ ‫‪ ،‬صورة مجتمع تخطى العواقب‬ ‫ليعكس واقع شباب تر ّفع عن‬ ‫النعرات و الشعارات الطائفية‬ ‫على تن ّوعها‪ .‬فاجلامعة‪ ،‬بال‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫شك‪ ،‬مرحلة انتقالية تفتح‬ ‫األبواب على مصراعيها لشباب‪،‬‬ ‫يشكلون بال ّ‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫شك عنصر تغير‪.‬‬

16

Outlook

entertainment

Book Review In 1958, Truman Capote wrote “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” In 1961, Audrey Hepburn starred in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” the film. For those who liked the novel, the movie, Truman Capote and Audrey Hepburn, comes “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.” by Sam Wasson.

In the book, Wasson explores the making of the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the impact it had on the modern woman, be it through fashion or social standards. The book also relates how Truman Capote came up with the idea for the novel and its controversial plot which comprises

Hamra Street is on fire. At least, it seems to be, for every so often a new shop opens its doors on the avenue. Whether it is a restaurant, pub, retail store or coffee shop, people flock to it with a curiosity for the new. The most recent addition to the street is Café Hamra, another project by Boubess Group, which also owns Laziz, Napoletana, Scoozi and Bob’s, to name a few.

Café Hamra was once an old house which has been refurbished with a large garden in the back. The customer seating area is enormous, with smoking and non- smoking sections both inside and outside. The café’s décor shows pride in Hamra’s history; the walls have graffiti of the street’s name and old pictures which evoke feelings of nostalgia. Even the placemats have a “Did you know?” section of celebrated aspects of Hamra’s history prior to the civil war.

Various aspects of the café seem to invoke Hamra’s ‘gold-

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. : Audrey Hep-

burn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and

Rayane Zahreddine

the Dawn of the Modern Woman

a homosexual narrator and an aspiring writer falling in love with his neighbor Holly Golightly, a call-girl. “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.” further chronicles the making of the film from George Axelrod’s difficulty in adapting it into a screenplay for a romantic comedy, to the casting of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly.

Wasson describes the relationships and personal lives of Truman Capote and Audrey Hepburn without sounding like a tabloid. Interestingly, his depiction of the iconic Audrey Hepburn is that of a fascinating woman and ac-

Restaurant Review

Nov 25 , 2010

tress who was able to balance motherhood and stardom, set fashion trends such as Givenchy’s little black dress and subvert traditional understandings of morality, especially as she plays a “good” call-girl in the movie. He describes her as an interesting woman who inspired the modern woman.

In addition to this, he offers the reader many amusing behind-the-scenes tidbits and little-known stories about the film and its soundtrack.

He shares with the reader the adventures, the conflicts and the obstacles that had to be conquered in order

to begin shooting. He also explains the fears that director Blake Edwards and producers Marty Jurow and Richard Shepherd shared regarding the reaction of audiences and critics to the controversial topic of the movie.

Wasson attempts to make his book deeper than just a behind-the-scenes documentation. This fact becomes clear as he draws attention to a defining moment in American history: “the dawn of the modern woman,” a time when women began to work and overcome social restraints.

However, the book’s sociological aspect was rather under-

Café Hamra: Using Misinterpreted Nostalgia for Advertisement?

en age’. For instance, Café Hamra’s logo represents the traditional Turkish coffee cup. However, the antique furniture contradicts with a graffiti stencil of Che Guevara and a huge LCD screen playing FashionTV. Even the trees in the garden are not Lebanese. They are Chinese.

Although Café Hamra’s name seems to invoke a space where a person can hang out, the place is more of a restaurant.

While the café does serve coffee and treats, it is more suitable for having lunch or dinner. The menu includes a wide variety of choices, from the salad bar at 18,000 L.L. to pizzas, burgers, pasta and platters. There is even a ‘Lebanese corner’ for traditional food with Lebanese appetizers such as hummus and tabouleh. The Lebanese corner also serves fine, fancy argilehs.

The menu resembles that of other restaurant by the Boubess Group. The prices at Café Hamra are not that cheap. In fact, there exists a

developed, for the main focus of the book was on the movie.

Written like a novel, this book is a fun, fast and easy read that leaves the reader satisfied with the information Wasson humorously offers. It is obvious that the author is passionate about the novel, the film and especially the cinematic process, which makes his book all the more appealing and genuine. “Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.” also makes the reader want to read the book and/or watch the movie again, this time with a fresh perspective.

Yumna Ghandour

(Photo by Yumna Ghandour)

great discrepancy between the amount and quality of the food and the prices. For a student on a tight budget, it might not be the best place for a weekday meal.

The overall experience of

Café Hamra can turn out surprising considering what is expected. As another café with fair prices and decent meals, it fulfills its role. However, the image the place has tried to create appears to be

a shallow one, present only to visually distinguish itself from the other places around it, such as Roadsters and Deek Duke. Maybe Hamra is not really on fire!

Outlook

Nov 25, 2010

letter to the editor

17

Letter to the Editor Politics A Hierarchy of Power

Omar Nawfal

Have you ever wanted to say “no” to someone but simply couldn’t because he’s in a position of power and you are not? Didn’t you ever feel this need to scream at the person in front of you but instead silenced yourself because you knew that if you screamed no one would even listen? You warn, you yell, you shout and all you hear in return are echoes of your voice fading away, having lost the tiniest hope of ever reaching its recipients. What happens if you doubt the intentions of your master or boss?

The answer may be surprising but nonetheless it must be said. You will be freed at last from the chains that have been holding you back. Finally, you are no more a slave but a real master. Now you can educate yourself, thrive in your life, and seek perfection. Now it’s your turn to hold the keys which open the doors to self-actualization and the pursuit of happiness!

The same applies when someone deals with politics because of this certain chain of command where orders must be followed unquestionably. Anything this “savior of the people” says; anything that comes out of his mouth must be true because he says it is.

We do need a leader - and many if possible - to guide the poor and the desperate and to look over the people’s interest and to defend our borders. However, leaders are still human just like us citizens and they do tend to make mistakes. We can love our leaders and follow them and cheer for them but we should not allow ourselves to follow them blindly. Our role is to shed light on our political “leaders’” mistakes and correct them before they commit any atrocities. And if the level of wrongdoing rises to a point where we simply cannot take it anymore, we should simply abandon our leaders for they will look and beg for our support and not the other way around! If we do not act during this critical period, chaos and anarchy will reign and any hope for some peace and quiet in our lives will have faded!

Students of AUB, the generation of tomorrow, let us unite now and leave our differences behind! The stench of politics should not infiltrate our ranks! Let us revolutionize what many think is impossible to change! We cannot lose hope when it has not forsaken our lands yet!

Letter to the Editor Lebanon and AUB: Inheriting the Maternal Poison

Karim Badra

Long ago, in 1858, a western visitor to Lebanon named William Thomson noted, “the various sects live together, and practice conflicting superstitions in close proximity, but the people do not coalesce into one homogeneous community… No other country in the world, I presume, has such multiplicity of antagonistic races.” Divided and fearful, the Lebanese have historically resorted to their Zu’ama for patronship in turn for their loyalty—as is the case today. In a 2005 poll by Information International, a Beirut-based research firm, a majority of Lebanese, 37.3%, claimed they belonged to their confession first. When asked where their allegiance would lie in case of conflict, the number skyrocketed to 48.8%, as opposed to the 27.2% that gave precedence to Lebanon. The Zu’ama themselves, equally divided and fearful, drew support from ever-hungry empires. The paradigm was most clear in the Lebanese elections. Vote buying and fear-mongering of a supposedly ominous future ravaged, continue to ravage the political scene. During one Lebanese election, the French High Commissioner in our dear Lebanon made a romantic promise to his Lebanese mistress, “we should find a mean for you to double your fortune, therefore I will make the coming elections a way for you achieve what you want. No parliament member will win unless has visited you and did the necessary, now you can see how much I love you! ... By the time I am done with Eddeh and Khoury, they would have lost their money, their minds or both” (Al Riyachi, 1953, P.144). In 2008, Robert Worth of the News York Times reported that nearly one billion dollars of foreign money was poured into the 2008 elections; vote/candidate buying included. “Whoever pays the most will get my vote; I won’t accept less than $800,” spoke Hussein H from south Beirut in a Haaretz article citing As-Safir. Aware of the blind support of their constituencies, the Zu’ama became apathetic to the peoples’ needs, and vie for posts and resources using all means possible, and of course, do their best to make sure that their foreign supporters remain pleased. Since everyone is doing it, is agreed upon that no ‘files’ are opened.

What has this system brought us? Minimal respect for the rule of law, poor road systems, an electricity problem that puts most third world countries to shame, water deficiency in a water exporting country, 48 billion dollars of debt, and a civil war that killed 200,000, injured 500,000, and migrated 1,000,000 to mention a few.

AUB is no different. People gather in their in sectarian turfs in a manner reminiscent of gang warfare in American movies (‘Bloods vs. Crips, yo’). They receive scholarships and financial aid from their respective Zu’ama, elections give minimal credence to merit, and governance cares little about the students. What do the issues of militant resistance and the death of Rafik El Hariri have to do with cafeteria prices, a safer, quieter library, or the level of education we are receiving?

William Thomson concludes his statement by saying, “They can never form a united people, never combine for any important religious or political purpose; and will therefore remain weak, incapable of self-government, and exposed to the invasions and oppressions of foreigners”. AUB is Lebanon’s best university, and is expected to produce Lebanon’s finest leaders. Why can’t it be what finally proves Thomson wrong?

“Infinite toil would not enable you to sweep away a mist; but by ascending a little. you may often overlook it altogether” --Sir Authur Helps

18

Outlook

Nov 25, 2010

editorial & opinion

Message from Students’ Rights Club (SRC) Why we did it.

AUB United

Rami Diab Editor-in-Chief So elections ran rather smoothly the other day, maybe a little too smoothly if you ask me. In fact, the word on the street reflected on the dearth of student involvement in this year’s elections.

Why? Why is it that student activism has dwindled? My interpretation is students are just drop-dead board of the same old SRC-staged political puppet show. If we are to win students over to our cause, then it goes to reason that we must first persuade ourselves of the ideas we’re selling before persuading others, a matter that could always use some more sectarianism stripping in this country of ours.

At any rate, the majority of you taught us a few indispensable lessons yesterday, all of which can be summed up in one virtue – patience.

It seems many of us where aware in our half–conscious, half–adrenalin–driven state that anger is but one letter short of danger and so apart from the unyielding cheer that swept West Hall, there were no serious outbreaks of hostility. Moreover, I saw many of you winners and losers walk out of West Hall with good sportsmanship.

With shoulders held back and the crowns of your heads raised high you all left your marks on our elections period. Irrespective of whether or not you made it, always remember that as AUB students you still represent an integral part of our student-

based government.

All in all, I felt that the elections were well planned out and properly executed. A pat on the back to all those who contributed to making SRC elections a success. More important than the actual elections though are the results we’ve all been waiting for – just who it is that will be playing a major role in student governance this year.

I’d like to remind our newly elected candidates that one thing we can always give and still keep is our word and thus transparency of goals and sincerity of intentions is key in maintaining a healthy and accomplished Student Representative Committee (SRC). I look forward to the day when the University Student Faculty Committee (USFC) is in place and we find ourselves all working together under one roof and unified goal to prosper AUB’s common good which knows no discrepancies of race, color, creed, or religious and political confession.

Fouad Badaoui Senior Staff Writer Our club has two goals concerning the SRC this year.

The first is to raise student awareness on the SRC’s lack of power. It really can’t do much more than any random student on his/her own.

To change a printer in Jafet, the SRC has to jump from the Dean’s Office, to the Jafet administration and to the Auxiliary Services in order to receive a very firm and disappointing “no.” Any student on

campus can do that! Our theory is that if we disillusion students from the political frenzy, they might just turn their attention to this little known yet disturbing fact.

In order to achieve this, we worked with OIRA to send a campus wide survey. The turnout was impressive as almost 10% of students filled it.

We would like to express our gratitude to professor Karma El Hassan and her efficient department.

Our second goal was to bring back politics to campus. Not the yearly slogans, colors, logos and loud noises, but actual political discussions, worthy of university students.

This is still a work in progress. But we’re very optimistic, especially after the last Speakers’ Corner (a big thank you goes to USFC VP Nadine Hamdan), the topic of which was “the effect of politics on student elections,” and last week’s Outlook issue (another great thanks to the Editor in Chief Rami Diab). The issue gave every politically affiliated Club a

chance to express their political opinion, free of any censorship. Our hope is that throuch recurring events of this type we will start a real dialogue scene in AUB where AUB students can do that for which they once famous: understanding and presenting ideas in order to raise tolerance instead of tensions among Lebanese citizens.

We are at the tip of the spear of progress in this country.

Maybe it’s time we started acting like it!

Finally, my own candidacy was an experiment. I wanted to see if an individual could have a fighting chance at getting into the SRC. I don’t mean an idea (“I like their political ways”), or a list (“I’m voting for all of them although I only met one of them”). I can now proudly say, as I type this text while campaigning, surrounded by activists, that hope is not lost in AUB, and that the open minded, progressive independents, can still consider this place a home.

It’s Finally Done Thank you CNS! Mohamad Al Medawar Webmaster It was by sheer coincidence that I was assigned to build Outlook’s website. As a Medical Lab student, my humble experience in web design can be summarized with three years in blogging, and one year in professional web design using Front Page during my part time work with Ibsar. Determined, Rami Diab and I began planning the website structure and design throughout the summer and began the actual building of the website from day one of this fall semester. It was completed on Monday, November 8. After the final minor adjustments were made, the website was officially published on the 15th of November, under http://www.

aub.edu.lb/outlook/ .

It would’ve been impossible to carry out this project if it wasn’t for CNS (Computer and Networking Services) center at AUB, led by its Webmaster Mrs. Nada Sbaiti and a dedicated team of staff and faculty. Not only did they provide us with a basic training workshop, but they also backed us up all the way with email support, weekly meetings, performed complicated tasks to spare us time and effort, and much more. What also facilitated the process is that their actions and responses were prompt and exact. It was such a fulfilling and educational experience to have worked with such a professional team.

Now, back to the website, the purpose it serves, besides increasing Outlook’s readership, is to provide students,

faculty, alumni, administration and the entire online community with an easily accessible online reference to our database of publications since 1949. This will be completed after a digitization project to make a soft copy of all the printed issues. What’s more interesting is that those issues will be viewable through the latest flow-through technology as will the latest issues currently posted on the website.

The website will be updated on a weekly basis were the new issue will be added to the archive and the most prominent news, opinion, arts, culture, and entertainment articles will be linked directly from the Home page through quick links. The search option is also available to easily look for topics of your interest. Moreover, a gallery

will be added soon to display more images for events covered by Outlook. However, these tasks are not easy, and need more than one individual to weekly update the website. So I invite any experienced web designer, currently an enrolled student in AUB, to contact us at readoutlookonline@gmail.com with a CV attached to summarize any experience with “Sharepoint” CMS and web designing. Plus, I need a favor from you all! Browse the website, and send us your feedback ! Do let us know of any mistakes, errors, broken links, misspelled names, and any other overlooked slipups! Send in your feedback to the same email: readoutlookonline@gmail.com. Enjoy !

Nov 25, 2010

Outlook

out of the box

The Outlook team Chairperson

Talal Nizameddin

Faculty Advisor

Cleo Cacoulidis

Responsible Director

Antonios Francis

Editor-in-Chief

Rami Diab

Associate Editor

Timmy Malkoun

Editor at Large

Yahia Hamade

Arabic Editor

Mariam El Ali

Photography Editor

Salim Batlouni

Layout Director

John Hajjar

Member at Large

Giovanny Reaidi

News Executives

Heather Jaber Lojine Kamel Mostafa Fadlallah

Web Master

Mohamad Al Medawar

Business Managers

Sally Khalifeh Lara Traboulsi

Staff Writers Khodor Abou Daya Fouad Badaoui Caterian Belardi Jackie Daoud Sara El Dirani Edrees Elrachidi Dalia Hosn Elie El Khoury Yasmin Fansa Yumna Ghandour Maryam Hoballah Lynn Itani

Anis Kadado Tala Kardas Wajiha Jurdhi-Kheir Sherif Maktabi Rita Obeid Yasmine Saab Joseph Saba Amer Sare Maya Sfeir Mohamad Yaghi Emile Fares Zankoul

Photographers

Mohamad Alameh Tariq Buhilaigah Dima Hajj Nadi Nassar Lotfi Al Salah Wael Salem Antoine Salloum

Cartoonist

Deedee El Jilani

Outlook is a weekly publication of the American University of Beirut (AUB) and represents the voice of the student body. It is an independent, non-affiliated publication that favors no ethnic, religious, or political group. All columns, articles, and reports are the property of Outlook and do not necessarily represent the views of Outlook or the AUB community. Outlook welcomes all contributions. Authors please include full name, major, ranking, and contact information for verification. Outlook reserves the right to edit all material. © Outlook 1949

Psyched Out

Agoraphobia

19

Rita Obeid

Just imagine not being able to leave home, just the thought of being away from home would lead to severe panic, this is what a person with agoraphobia might typically feel. Agoraphobia refers to the fear of any place in which escape may be difficult. People diagnosed with Agoraphobia fear any place that may include large open spaces, crowds, in addition to various means of travel. People with agoraphobia may avoid situations in which they are alone or outside the house, travelling in a car, bus, or airplane, being in a crowded area or being in an elevator or over a bridge. Agoraphobia is often accompanied by another anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder or a specific phobia.

It is important to add that the life of a person with agoraphobia may become seriously disabled with some unable to work and become highly dependent on other family members which may lead to great discomfort Some symptoms for agoraphobia include: Fear of being alone or unaided, of losing control in a public place, of being in places where escape might be hard (such as buses, airplane, etc). In addition to becoming housebound for prolonged periods, Feelings of vulnerability, Anxiety or panic and an atypical temper with trembling or twitching. Other symptoms that may occur include: Lightheadedness, , Dizziness, sweating, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, powerful fear of dying or of going crazy...

People diagnosed with agoraphobia may have a history of phobia. A person is usually described as having agoraphobia if no other medical condition can explain such physical symptoms.

If no physical disorder causes such physical pains... why do they develop? The reasons for agoraphobia are unclear, however, life experiences do play an important part. Additionally, females have higher rates of developing agoraphobia in specific and other anxiety disorders in general.

Some theories state this is due to the gonadal steroids in women, other address the role of women’s responses to stress.

Many forms of therapy has been used to help people with anxiety disorders in addition to medication which is also sometimes used. The most common form of treatment is a behavioural technique known as exposure therapy whether a person is taught relaxation training while imagining components of his/her fear. Other types of therapy include cognitive therapy, assertiveness training, biofeedback, hypnosis, meditation, relaxation, or couples therapy were found to be helpful for some patients. In addition to therapy, which aims to help the patient change his or her behavior. A person with agoraphobia or any anxiety disorder in general can join a self-help or support group and plus sharing their problems and achievements with others which is helpful but not a substitute to therapy.

Food for Thought

Rami Diab Coffee Catharsis

The other day, I received a comment from a fellow colleague of mine, “at Caribou, a large cappuccino is now running approximately $3.80. That’s in the US, but in Lebanon a small caribou cappuccino runs for 5,500, which is $3.70! When rent is lower, taxes are lower and labour is cheaper here, why did AUB bring the most expensive coffee chain to campus?”

Coffee has long since become the fad of our generations, young and old. As the cigarette’s loyal companion, coffee has dominated our culture as we know it, but what are the real benefits of coffee and what are its drawbacks?

I’ll mention a couple pros. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants that culminate in an overall anti-aging and anticancer effect. That could answer the question of why coffee started out as an adult’s drink and why the old, trying to grow young are so heavily consuming it. Coffee is also corroborated to prevent type two diabetes and so it’s somewhat ironic to think, considering the cardiovascular risk overweight coffee drinkers are exposed to, that victims of diabetes who drink coffee are damaging their health. It almost sounds like I’m trying to support the mass consumption of coffee so here are some cons to remind us to keep our balance of caffeine in check, too much of anything is bad you know.

Apart from its pros, coffee is also notorious for several characteristics. For instance, heavy consumption of boiled coffee increases LDL cholesterol levels (the unhealthy cholesterol) which may have their end in cardiovascular diseases. Caffeine is also a diuretic which means it facilitates water loss. That explains why many of us tend to have a cup of water just after we consume coffee to replenish our fluids. Most important of all though, let’s not forget that coffee is a drug and drugs when consumed in high amounts may lead to abuse and taxing withdrawal effects.

How many of you have tried to quit coffee for instance and found it to challenging? Better yet, let me rephrase that question, how many of you feel like you can’t start your day off without a tall cup of coffee? Whether you’re a chronic coffee drinker or just a casual one, keep in mind this simplified formula for living health – everything in moderation including moderation itself.