How do you live outside Lebanon?

[Gabriel]

I know I dont fit into this category since Im not lebanese, but I really liked this thread a lot. Atleast to see you people in touch with your mother culture in a way, its really great.

I am a very local citizen of Dubai, my family immigrated from Persia in the year 1886 because the Shah of Qajar dynasty (who used to rule Persia before the Pahlavi dynasty) asked us to pay high taxes though we sent 3000 soldiers to fight with the Persian army against Russia (note that the people of my hometown were less than 30,000) they also paid high taxes to support, yet the Qajari shah insisted but to continue on taking double taxes, since he knew my community were some bunch of smart merchants, and thats where my community left from Persia to the no-where.

They moved to Dubai, at the time when there was nothing but sand dunes and a dead creek. They got permission to enter Dubai from the man who used to rule Dubai. It was 1886 A.D and there was nobody in Dubai but some bunch of 1000 Arabs from one tribe. And then it was us the Persians who joined peacfully and started the whole business in Dubai and gave it all our concern, love, and loyality.

What I want to say is that, Dubai is not 100% Arab city, or belong to Arabs only, in the 1970's the Persians in Dubai represented over 70% of the population! And we were not considered as some forigners at all. Almost everything in Dubai was established by Persians, like first proper neigbhourhood, a proper archit. Which was Persian represented in the xoneye badger, houses with wind towers, and the 1st hotels, 2 proper markets, tunnel to connect Dubai’s bank on the creek, 1st proper school, and even the police salaries in the UAE were paid by Persian families. We don’t mention this much, because we did all that for the sake of the land and people who live on it regardless their backgrounds or beliefs,

And by the way, my community is Sunni Persians, and being non-Arabs we have 100% total different culture, heritage, traditions, language, food, ceremonies etc.
We were some bunch of merchants, well educated, and we were very modern. Isnt it funny to say that my grand mother is an industrial engineer? LoL, cuz in general my friend’s parents were the 1st generation in UAE to receive education!?! So you know the difference is so clear. In the 70's my family moved to live in Lebanon since life there attracted them in a way they knew it matches their life style, since people there were the most modernized middle easterns. They lived there for couple of years, where they easily got along with the people, interacted a lot with the traditions and everything to do with it. My grandma met Fairuz! My grandfather enjoyed going to the farms and the mountains. But then the civil war ruined it, people never noticed we are from Dubai since no one knew what dubai is at that time. They thought my uncles were Lebanese christians and my dad was Syrian = =' .. lol! My father, and both my uncles witnessed horrible moments of violence, they almost got killed 3 times, a gun was pointed to my father's head! Thats where they ran away and left back to Dubai. And ever since all these events I mean, my family are in touch with Lebanon a lot. I even remember my dad was once listening to the FM and it was Rim Bandali singing, so he was like "ahh zekrayat" lol. They are concerned about the political issues of Lebanon and stuff.
Personally I havent been to Lebanon, and I know I have no place there, but because of the influence in my family, I like to explore more and know about it. I really envy you in a positive way on how you people can enjoy your culture freely, unlike my community today in my own city Dubai, it seems that my culture is not welcomed here, and it tears my heart how our parents are trying to make us away from our culture since they (y5afoun 3aleina mn nazret el mujtama3), and that’s one reason I don’t like the Khaleeji socities anymore since they seem to make us either be Arabize or to forget my original identity and backgrounds and join their style. Its not a matter of being anti-Arabize cuz I have many Arab friends, but no one has the right to change my identity by force. I wish I can speak proper Persian language like my relatives, or dance our folk dances properly with pride in front of everybody, or get back some of what have been rudely taken from my culture by some Allah ysame7hom. I don’t belong to Persia anymore, I haven’t seen Persia, Im from Dubai, a very local citizen of Dubai, yet my blood remain Persian, people can easily tell from my face, but I feel upset for being forced to have some certain rules that controls my acts and not letting me practice my culture properly. Im impressed with the way Lebanese people keep their culture and heritage secure in someway, I think you people are interesting and respectfull and Im really having fun being around your forums. I hope you people accept me as a friend =)
Sorry for the long and unrelated post.

Cheers

[WiseCookie]

Originally Posted by JohnZ

no one is begging you to stay, go home, and trade your visa to another lebanese who would be more appreciative of all of the opportunities you have ahead of you.

Shoo habibi u want to get into a heated debate ? There is no qouta on my type of visa since it's a student visa u smart alec . That means u can only study and u cannot work, and other than that, not being elligible for a social security number without work and other than the fact that u are always treated for suspicion of staying in the country illegaly. I went to apply for a stupid driver's license and got question about how i wanted to ge a license and my visa ends at the end of July. Now what do you have to say ? One more thing, no one referred to you, or even got close to talk to u. Are u rich my friend ? Do you have millions ? What kind of oppurtunities are u talking about ? Life is the same everywhere, you work and earn a living, fullstop.

[Leb Lady]

Originally Posted by WiseCookie

Shoo habibi u want to get into a heated debate ? There is no qouta on my type of visa since it's a student visa u smart alec . That means u can only study and u cannot work, and other than that, not being elligible for a social security number without work and other than the fact that u are always treated for suspicion of staying in the country illegaly. I went to apply for a stupid driver's license and got question about how i wanted to ge a license and my visa ends at the end of July. Now what do you have to say ? One more thing, no one referred to you, or even got close to talk to u. Are u rich my friend ? Do you have millions ? What kind of oppurtunities are u talking about ? Life is the same everywhere, you work and earn a living, fullstop.

Khayyyyy you made my day!!!!!! :)
Life is the same everywhere, you work and earn a living, fullstop. this is what I was trying to say to those youngsters......

[WiseCookie]

Originally Posted by Leb Lady

Khayyyyy you made my day!!!!!! :)
Life is the same everywhere, you work and earn a living, fullstop. this is what I was trying to say to those youngsters......

Thank you :) After coming here I started to believe the same thing. Most of the people who immigrated here from Lebanon are living normal lives with no riches. It is only the people who are the best that excel in their professional lives and i don't see it any different in Lebanon. If you're good u will excel anywhere. I believe it's our fault...the youth that is...that the country is in such position. The ruling class has not changed since the war, and the youth are still following those corrupt leaders. When everyone knows, if there was ever a revolution, it was started by the youth.

[GeaGea SkyWalkeR]

Originally Posted by WiseCookie

Shoo habibi u want to get into a heated debate ? There is no qouta on my type of visa since it's a student visa u smart alec . That means u can only study and u cannot work, and other than that, not being elligible for a social security number without work and other than the fact that u are always treated for suspicion of staying in the country illegaly. I went to apply for a stupid driver's license and got question about how i wanted to ge a license and my visa ends at the end of July. Now what do you have to say ? One more thing, no one referred to you, or even got close to talk to u. Are u rich my friend ? Do you have millions ? What kind of oppurtunities are u talking about ? Life is the same everywhere, you work and earn a living, fullstop.

I always thought you were there illegally, Why would you want a drivers licence if you dont work and do not get social security, im sus about this, so i can see why they will be

[WiseCookie]

Originally Posted by GeaGea SkyWalkeR

I always thought you were there illegally, Why would you want a drivers licence if you dont work and do not get social security, im sus about this, so i can see why they will be

So i can travel down the border and espace to mexico.

or maybe

It's to move around freely without having to wait for busses, and just make life a tad bit easier.

[AliArz]

I live in Canada it's been 17 years already. At this moment, I am 23 years of age.

I was born and raised in Beirut, so I remember the lifestyle there very well.

The way I see it, Lebanon is far better then any country, Canada included, but it depends how you look at it.

The problem with Lebanon is their bourgeouasie mentality, as well as the typical "3rd world country" services the government gives us...

But the people of Lebanon, in general, are very, very good.

This is not the case in Canada. The people here are full of fakeness and far from easy-going.

Everyone should know this...plus, they are very closed-minded, and I dont like to be surrounded in their own bubbles.

The Canadian government is very good, they always gave us what we wanted.

Some Canadian people are very exceptional, but how many of them are there in the country?...

As for racism, I can tell you I have been discriminated here so much, I actually left a school because of racism since I tried to defend myself against a teacher who was teaching hatred towards Arabs.

I didnt like it, I opposed it, and I lost.

I will never forget this, I lost my future because of a stupid scenario like this.

Plus, I dont like the new generation of kids out there, I think they are messed up and too arrogant.

Canada is good if you want to be left alone and go on the Internet or something.

But that's not life...

As for the UN...they may have a point, but that is just their studies according to their own criteria...if you ask me, I say any country in the world can be good for you...

It depends what are your interests and where you can fulfill them...

Take care,

Ali Arz

[taifoon]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

.....
In the 70's my family moved to live in Lebanon since life there attracted them in a way they knew it matches their life style, since people there were the most modernized middle easterns. They lived there for couple of years, where they easily got along with the people, interacted a lot with the traditions and everything to do with it. My grandma met Fairuz! My grandfather enjoyed going to the farms and the mountains. But then the civil war ruined it, people never noticed we are from Dubai since no one knew what dubai is at that time. They thought my uncles were Lebanese christians and my dad was Syrian = =' .. lol! My father, and both my uncles witnessed horrible moments of violence, they almost got killed 3 times, a gun was pointed to my father's head! Thats where they ran away and left back to Dubai. And ever since all these events I mean, my family are in touch with Lebanon a lot. I even remember my dad was once listening to the FM and it was Rim Bandali singing, so he was like "ahh zekrayat" lol. They are concerned about the political issues of Lebanon and stuff.
Personally I havent been to Lebanon, and I know I have no place there, but because of the influence in my family, I like to explore more and know about it.....

Gabriel,

I liked your post. It is sincere and straight.
As you already know, the lebanese war took away more than good memories for many people who once lived and experienced the lebanese societys charming dualities..
I urge you though to come back one day, you and your family are most welcome, and be part of that society in both exploring and taking part in it.
It is people like you we have the honour to meet and interact with.

[lebgeneral]

You can have all the millions of the world, and you will still be considered as a stranger.
And not only the lebanese, but all other nationalities: Frenchies, brits etc.. even Shwarzy will always be considered as the "austrian" that succeded in the USA.

I have an advise for all of you guys that live in Lebanon: Don't you ever consider that other countries are better (like the french saying: la pelouse est toujours plus verte dans le jardin d'en face). Every country has its problems.
With the World Wide Economy, there's no eldorado anymore.. when you go abroad, you live, and earn money, just enough for you to live decently. But... you will have to sacrifice your friends, parents, sunny weather etc...

Believe me, there's no place like home. I decided to go back to Lebanon, after having spend 7 years in france. I cannot bare it anymore...
Lebanon is the most beautifull coutry in the world! And I do mean it!!
It's just that we have to take care of it, and clean it up (from both garbage, and dirty polititians):logo:.

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by taifoon

Gabriel,

I liked your post. It is sincere and straight.
As you already know, the lebanese war took away more than good memories for many people who once lived and experienced the lebanese societys charming dualities..
I urge you though to come back one day, you and your family are most welcome, and be part of that society in both exploring and taking part in it.
It is people like you we have the honour to meet and interact with.

Thanks a lot Taifoon .. I will surley visit Lebanon someday, its a must in my to-do list. My grand father once told me "elli ma zar Lubnan .. '6a3 3aleih no9 3mroh" .. Inshalla I will visit this piece of heaven someday, for sure!
Thanks for your hospitality, it was really warm. Tashakkor janem (Thanks dear)