Echos of the Sunni Street

[MediaLies2Us]

I do understand the feelings of anger that the Sunni supporters of the gov. are feeling.
However, I really hope that after the emotions cool down, they are able to take a good objective look at their political performance for the last several years.

IMHO, Sunnis who aligned themselves blindly behind FM and the govt, committed three major strategic failures:
1- First, by positioning themselves on a collision course with HA through incitement against HA, and playing the sectarian card for as long as they could. The weapons of HA which were supposed to be for Muqawemeh, were considered as a threat by the Sunnis, and they worked sooo hard to drag HA into an internal conflict

2- Second, was forming a militia to "protect" the Sunnis. That militia was formed for no other reason more than posturing and bolstering the position of Saad Hariri. It was meant to counter balance the "power" of the Shia. Another foolish attempt to place the Sunnis on a collision course with HA.

3- Third, after HA reacted violently against the armed gov. supporters in Beirut, they considered it a success because now HA cannot claim that it's force will not be used internally, which is like a wet dream for Israel.

This is again another chapter of Lebanon's fragmentation, and another wakeup call that the segregation of Lebanese political parties along sectarian lines will continue to feed the destructive forces that lurk beneath the Lebanese society.

Politicians are so consumed by the problems of forming a unity gov. and a fair electoral law, but they continue to miss the number one issue, which is the fatal sectarian system that has brought us nothing but war and misery...

[elhorr]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

First, let it be clear that this is about the Sunni street in Beirut and Lebanon in general. In the sectarian composition of Lebanon, there are of course those who support Omar Karami or Usama Saad, similarly to those Shiites/Christians/Druzes that support other than the principally recognized representatives of their sects (Hezbollah/FPM/PSP).

The Sunni street is generally represented by the Future Movement. That movement was dealt a severe blow through military force in Beirut and other regions and it is time to realize the repercussions on the community that principally feels represented by that political group.

• What is the current state of mind of the Sunnis in Beirut and Lebanon?
  
  Are they feeling somewhat of a "defeat"?
  
  Are they perceiving Hezbollah/Amal's military display as a victory for Shiites?
  
  What kind of reaction can one expect from them next?
  
  What will be their perception of Hezbollah/Amal in the future and how hard will it be to fix what has happened over the past few days?

Additional questions and related feedback much appreciated..

Regards

اوافق من حيث المبدأ على ما طرحته فهومنطقي سليم و مشروع
لكن
المسؤولية لا تقع على حزب الله فقط و مسؤوليته كبيرة لبلسمة الجراح لكنها تقع ايضا على من ذكرت اي انصار المستقبل انفسهم من حيث ضرورة مراجعة ما حدث و ضرورة الاستبقاظ مما وضعوا انفسهم فيه
و هنا ايضا اؤكد على ضرورة ان يتفكر انصار المعارضة و بالاخص الشيعة الذين تعرضوا لاقصى الاذية من قبل العصابة المنهارة الا تأخذهم العزة بالنفس و النشوة الى التكبر و التشفي و التعدي فهذا ليس من شيم الشيعة و لا من شيم من نمتثل بهم من الرسول الاكرم صلى الله عليه و آ له و آل بيته و الانبياء و الاوصياء
المسؤولية و ان كانت تقع ايضا على سنة المعارضة فهي تقع ايضا على سنة تيار المستقبل و المرجعية الدينية الرسمية للسنة بشكل خاص
و لا يمكن ان يتم بلسمة الجراح من حزب الله وحده مهما فعل ... الامر يحتاج الى الارادة الطيبة من بقية الاطراف كما ذكرت حيث انها هي من قاد الامور الى هنا و لا داعي للتفنيد

[LebaneseARAB]

We have to try to understand the position the Sunnis have been put in.

The situation we have now all exists becuase of the assasination of Rafic Hariri. To the Sunnis this was an attack on Sunni power in Lebanon or Sunni representation. They blamed Syria and some felt (whether Syria did it or not) this was a good opportunity to get Syria out of Lebanon.

So it is hard for many of them to be upset at the assasination of Hariri and than look favorable towards a group in Lebanon that are allies of Syria. If it wasn't for the Hizballah-Syrian relationship than many of the Sunnis would not look negatively towards Hizballah.

The assasination of Hariri whoever did it was done for the reason of shifting the Sunni street away from Syria and from Hizballah and to feel the need to be selfish and only worry about its own interests internally as a Sunni community. It was done to lead to the eventual fight between Hizballah and many Sunni Lebanese.

How can we reconcile these two groups? One way i believe is for Syria to be found innocent of the assasination of Hariri and for the Sunnis to believe it, this in turn will give them no reason to oppose Hizballahs closeness with Syria and to mistrust Hizballah.

Also how do we reconcile between those Lebanese who want to fight the zionist pigs and those who believe we should ignore them as much as possible and not fight them?

[Kibitzer]

It always come back to protecting Syria and stopping the Tribunal doesn't it? Even now when Lebanon is on the brink of a sectarian war, if not already in the middle of one - worry about the Tribunal and what the investigation will reveal is paramount to some ...... those who are afraid. The International Tribunal is about the only hope the Sunni have today ...... the hope that those who have been assassinating political leaders (all from the majority) and journalists will be charged with the crime - even if they cannot be prosecuted for it.

I suspect that the events of the last week have hardened the support in favor of the Tribunal. Killing specific leaders was one thing .... but wholesale "war" against a political party (FM) that has the support of almost all of one sect (Sunni) is quite another. And then they started on the Druze. The Christians worry if they will be next.

Pandora's box is open .....

[LebaneseARAB]

Originally Posted by Kibitzer

It always come back to protecting Syria and stopping the Tribunal doesn't it? Even now when Lebanon is on the brink of a sectarian war, if not already in the middle of one - worry about the Tribunal and what the investigation will reveal is paramount to some ...... those who are afraid. The International Tribunal is about the only hope the Sunni have today ...... the hope that those who have been assassinating political leaders (all from the majority) and journalists will be charged with the crime - even if they cannot be prosecuted for it.

I suspect that the events of the last week have hardened the support in favor of the Tribunal. Killing specific leaders was one thing .... but wholesale "war" against a political party (FM) that has the support of almost all of one sect (Sunni) is quite another. And then they started on the Druze. The Christians worry if they will be next.

Pandora's box is open .....

The problem with your post is that you are so sure Syria was behind the killings when many Sunnis themselves believe it was not Syria but done to instigate an internal strife.

I have been hearing from a lot of sunnis that the tribunal is not worth this stalemate and more assasinations whoever is behind them, even though if Syria isn't behind the killings than even if the tribunal were to be let go assasinations may continue.

[drinkaholic]

Hello,nice thread Dry Ice :-)

unfortunately,this is whole situation has taken a sectarian cover because in Lebanon,nearly everything is taken from a sectarian point of view,and as it seems,this seems to be a struggle over power and over who has more power: Sunnis or Shiites?

Thats what I personally believe is going on ! I dont think this has anything to do with fighting corruption or sectarianism or unequal rights because if that was the case,each group would look into its own faults first before anything else...

Unfortunately as I've read from FMers online and their thoughts,it seems that even the moderates have turned extremist,many have become hateful towards the whole Shiite sect,and have resorted to calling Al Qaeda to help them,and have considered this whole thing an attack on their own sect,and have called for the army to split and everything like that !!

So sad :| The current events in Lebanon are bound to create resentment and extremism!

These events have opened deep wounds,that's why I have been against them because I think they have negative repurcussions like the exploitation of the situation by Al Qaeda and co. in the future,and the damage of the Sunni-Shiite relations in the long- run!

Let's hope for the best !

Salam

[Mich©]

17 years ago on October 13, we the FPMers, were attacked, our dreams were devastated and our hopes were diminished.
I can only remember feeling humiliated and enraged that we were screwed by our own people.
All the Lebanese politicians were against us and they all with no exceptions helped.
We were humiliated by the Syrians and local parties and we got over it and we fought for 15 years the enemy and even though we never forgot what the Lebanese did to us, we always extended a hand no matter what.

I would like to say that as much as I empathize with our Sunnis brothers, yet byiswa ytawlo belkon shouey because neither the Hizb nor Amal humiliated anyone. They did not invade Beirut, the fighters are more Beiruti than Hariri or Sanyoura who are both from Saida.

HA and Amal were not invading, they were fighting those who were fighting against them. They were not invading homes and properties.
They were giving everything to the Lebanese army.

Just like we extended a hand to others even after what happened to us, the Sunnis should do the same.
Retaliating in any form is wrong. We all need to work together to make this country happen, otherwise, Lebanon is gone forever.

[coralie]

Originally Posted by Kibitzer

It always come back to protecting Syria and stopping the Tribunal doesn't it? Even now when Lebanon is on the brink of a sectarian war, if not already in the middle of one - worry about the Tribunal and what the investigation will reveal is paramount to some ...... those who are afraid. The International Tribunal is about the only hope the Sunni have today ...... the hope that those who have been assassinating political leaders (all from the majority) and journalists will be charged with the crime - even if they cannot be prosecuted for it.

I suspect that the events of the last week have hardened the support in favor of the Tribunal. Killing specific leaders was one thing .... but wholesale "war" against a political party (FM) that has the support of almost all of one sect (Sunni) is quite another. And then they started on the Druze. The Christians worry if they will be next.

Pandora's box is open .....

who is talking about int tribunal ? who is talking about protecting syria ?
what are you harbouring here Kebbi ?

you know i heard this sentence few months ago from an FM supporter it is a shame to repeat it he said : we will get rid of the shia and next come the turn of the christians . ... in my opinion he was nothing but a stupid brainwashed ignorant . because this is not how sunna think .

so obviously Kebbi you are reflecting your USA policy and evil plan . after all wesh was in cairo to "monitor" or maybe to whisper the code of conduct to the "lebanse" representative .

i wish you had better things to spread in this forum but obviously you have nothing good... !

[JD06]

Originally Posted by coralie

who is talking about int tribunal ? who is talking about protecting syria ?
what are you harbouring here Kebbi ?

you know i heard this sentence few months ago from an FM supporter it is a shame to repeat it he said : we will get rid of the shia and next come the turn of the christians . ... in my opinion he was nothing but a stupid brainwashed ignorant . because this is not how sunna think .

so obviously Kebbi you are reflecting your USA policy and evil plan . after all wesh was in cairo to "monitor" or maybe to whisper the code of conduct to the "lebanse" representative .

i wish you had better things to spread in this forum but obviously you have nothing good... !

hahaha i liked the bit about getting rid of the shia thn coming for the christians ,by the time he got rid of the shia, humans would have invented 100 more religions tht he would have to get rid of, and the actions of the fm militias over the last few days proves this ,,my advice is to skip the training in jordan its not helping.

[hannoush]

today i had a discussion with a couple of guys who are from TJ area in beirut.
they are old friends of mine, and we had an honest and frank dicussion and the conclusion we all agreed , was

1- the sunna never needed really a militia, they were always strong and should never be scared. that militia is a bad point for their history.
2- as much as my friends do like like ha or shia in general, they said they were not prepared or ready to fight him for no obvious resson. they were happy that ha gave the army all theposts as this will not look as an occupation.
3- they want a settlement but without breaking the govenment head, here diplomacy has to be smart and clever
4- they agree now, that 14feb need to do a whole basket and electing the presidnet first is a non starter really
5- but their most anger was towards WJ and second SG, they said that they abondonned them and were cowards and the area they held in sodico kola and basta were surrendered so fats, that they were left alone in TJ to face the music. they were bitter and i think the sunna will never trust the druze in general nad WJ in particular.

they said they are traders and businessman and they wished rafiq was alive, as he would have not allowed this fight to reach that level or become that bad.
personally i feel, that despite all we have a good btreak now at dialogue, but id they are forced to be hard by the americans, than we are heading towards a real civil war and big problems.

god help us all, we are in the middle of our true independence as a nation , and this coming week is the makke or break.
i wish 14feb to calm down and dialogue, if not the situation will spread to other areas and especially the christians one. than we will see a sad blood bath.
i pray that some leaders will try to make a compromise for once