Quornet Chehwan, The Resurrection

The forming of an all-Christian gathering is a symptom of Lebanon’s woes

First of all, the Arz meeting is a Christian gathering, unless you’re the kind of person that believes this diplo-talk: (By Antoine Zahra)

This is not a sectarian movement at all. We are committed to national unity especially that this unity gave us our new independence

I don’t have any problems with an all-Christian gathering. The problem is with the system that encourages such movements. “Whoever the Patriarch Chooses to be President, we support” says Nabih Berri repeatedly. “Why don’t you Christians first agree on one name and then we’ll talk,” is another commonly heard argument (usually made by pro-Syrians who trust that Aoun won’t give in)

To understand why such classification is wrong, one only has to listen to the two speeches made on May Day by Ghazi al Aridi on one hand, and speaker Nabih Berri, on the other.

The simplistic narrative we always hear is that the Christians, Druze, and Sunnis are on one side, and the Shiaas on the other. The problem is, on the issues that really matter, like economic reform, the positions are totally mixed up. Both Mr. Aridi and Mr. Berri seem to be opposed to Hariri’s economic reform program, although one is an “ally” and one is a “foe”.

We look at politics using the wrong lenses in Lebanon. If we become issue centric, then we’ll start hearing of “Pro-Market, liberal” gatherings, versus “Big-government gatherings.” At that point, religion will simply cease to matter.

Mr. Ghazi Youssouf, a Shiaa Economist and Mr. Jihad Azour, a Maronite Financier, have worked very hard for a plan. But the system insists on calling them “Sunnis” simply because they belong to Hariri’s bloc.

Will we ever listen?