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year Xiii, vOl. i, nO. iiii

TRIBUNE
The Official STudenT newSpaper aT The lebaneSe american univerSTy

Manchester Misery Ceramics from the Heart Man and Beast Tribune Efforts

Monday, dec.12, 2011

TribuneLAU@gmail.com

Exclusive: Football Federation President Speaks to Tribune

By Rouba Jaafar & Zahi Sahli

LAU Tribune staff

The Lebanese national football teams surprise 2-1 home victory against South Korea helped lift the country closer to reach the fourth round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers for the first time in history. Ahead the final round of fixtures in the group, Lebanon sits on top of Group B as joint-leader with Asian heavyweights South Korea ahead of Kuwaitwho maintains its slim chances to qualifywhile the United Arab Emirates has already crashed out. In an exclusive interview for the Tribune, President of the Lebanese football federation Hachem Haidar explained how the federation and coaching staff worked

on preparing the players psychologically. He suggested that the sudden blooming of national talents was down to motivations presented by the federation. First we had to make them challenge themselves. We told them that people lost faith in them and never expected them to win, Haidar, who has been president of the federation since 2001, said. We asked them to rise up for themselves. We promised to reward them if they win. After Lebanon carved out arguably the highlight of their qualifiers by defeating South Korea fourth-place finishers at the 2002 World Cup the government handed each member of the squad

a 10 million LBP reward for the teams fine form. Al-Ahed defender Abbas Kanaan, however, said that the players were unaware of a financial reward ahead of their game against South Korea. Enthusiasm for the country alone, Kanaan in-

sisted, pushed the players to record the historic win. We did not expect financial support before we played. We only played to raise the name of Lebanon, Kanaan said, insisting that though the fee the players received was a motivating element, it

was never their end goal. After rewarding the members of the national team squad 12 million LBP, the federation now intends to increase the players salaries should they clinch qualification from Group B, Haidar said. If we beat the United Arab Emirates and we qualify to the next round, we will raise the players fixed salaries, Haidar said. We will then be in a different stage, a more professional stage. The federation has done well to revoke the ban on attendance of football games in the various national divisions ahead of Lebanons 2-2 draw with Kuwait on

Photo by: Rouba Jaafar

continued on page 10

HIV/Aids Still a Stigma in Lebanon, at LAU

By Omar El Tani LAU Tribune staff
When I asked the young interior student at LAU about AIDS, she only agreed to answer on condition of anonymity. What do you know about AIDS? I asked. A lot of people die, she said. The student doesnt know anyone who has AIDS and believes that probably America has the largest population carrying the virus. Held yearly on December 1, World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people across the globe to unite in the fight against HIV. Small red ribbons commemorate those who died and support those living with the virus from Japan and France to Zimbabwe and Chile. But despite the effort of local organizations, few in Lebanon and at LAU seem to care or want to talk about it. Dean of Students and communication expert Raed Mohsen explained that AIDS is a taboo because people in Lebanon associate it with homosexuality. Some people who die from AIDS are filed under cancer to protect the reputation of their families, he said. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Transmitted via unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse as well as blood exchange, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. It destroys the immune system by attacking and impairing the function cells that fight infections. The level of CD4 white blood cells in a healthy body varies between 600 and 1200 cells/mm. Among HIVinfected patients, it drops to less than 200. The first reported case of HIV/AIDS in Lebanon came in 1984. Today, the official number jumped to 3,500. But, according to a press release from the World Health Organization distributed on Dec. 4, 2011, the only group which is being systematically tested in the MENA region today is migrant workers. Their sample accounts for 60 percent of the tests while that of main populations only covers 4 percent. In 1999, none of the selected workers tested positive according to UNAIDS/ World Health Organization stat sheet on Lebanon. Despite these worrying statistics, few feel concerned. I saw a management student at the universitys cafeteria. Do you know that December 1 is World AIDS Day? I inquired. No, he said. Do you feel concerned? I asked. No, he said. Arent you concerned that people are dying? I asked, surprised. No, he said. In 2000, of the groups infected with HIV/AIDS, 47 percent are heterosexual and 28 percent homosexual. Around 3 percent contracted AIDS through injection drug use (IDU), 6.7 percent

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CAMPUS NEWS
What is Labor Trafficking?
By Farrah Berrou LAU Tribune contributor
ar explained. Human trafficking is usually broken down to the act, force and aim of exploitation. In order to fight this issue, all stakeholders involved must team together and policies should be enforced rather than just talked about. Rijken stressed that mistreated labor migrants are also another form of human trafficking and its a challenge to label one as the other. She gave the example of an Indonesian Krupuk processing factory in The Hague where workers live in the same room where the production occurred. Krupuk is cooked in oil and there was one tap of running water, poor sanitation, insect infestation and bare electricity wires, she explained. The Palermo Protocol criminalizes and defines human trafficking and specifies that it is not only restricted to cases of a sexual nature but also those that involve the trafficking of labor migrants. The problem with human trafficking is a catch 22 in that the victim is vulnerable to exploitative practices because of their illegal residential status or is attempting to find loopholes in difficult migration policies, Rijken said. Their fear of deportation and lack of trust for those in law enforcement backfires and they are left being exploited by people who are claiming to be helping them. Project coordinator of the Combating Trafficking of Human Beings for Labour Exploitation, which is funded by the European Union, Rijken explained that TIP report (Trafficking in Persons) is an evaluation of a countrys position in relation to human trafficking, where ranks vary from 1 to 3, the latter being the worst. Based on this report, Lebanon ranks on tier 2 but is on the watch list and at risk of falling to tier 3. The report is evaluated according to the three Ps: Prosecution, prevention of activities involving human trafficking and protection of victims. It was said that the Lebanese government had drafted the implementation of this protocol; however, due to the collapse of the very same government, there was no official legislation and the issue is left pending. As of October 2011, the International Labor Organization (ILO) adopted Convention 189 for domestic workers. More information on human trafficking reports and publications can be found on the ILO website.
Photo by: Farrah Berrou

Tribune

dec.12, 2011

Annual Blood Drive at LAU

ByMayya Al Ogaily LAU Tribune staff
Photo by: LAU Red Cross

Conny Rijken, associate professor at the Tilburg Universitys law school and senior research fellow at INTERVICT, explained during a lecture on December 1 that one of the biggest problems with human trafficking as a whole is that its not easily defined. Definitions usually include other terms that need their own definitions clarified and, as a result, it is hard to classify certain cases as human trafficking perse. A rephrased definition presented by the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime is that human trafficking is the forced recruitment with purpose of exploitation, the Dutch schol-

The Childrens Cancer Center of Lebanon held its annual blood drive in front of the LAUs Fine Arts Building on December 1. This years drive was a great success, as more than a hundred student donated blood. This event was very successful on both the blood donations, and the AIDS awareness levels, Reem Charif, Red Cross member, said. It is considered as successful as that of last years, if not more. Any student could donate blood as long as he/she had no health problems such as severe illnesses, anemia or weight imbalance. Volunteers filled out an application form, got tested to know their blood type and then donated their blood. They were offered red ribbons on the occa-

sion of World AIDS Day. Though some students fainted right after giving blood, the majority were excited to be part of giving joy to the ill children. It felt really good doing something to help those in need, Raja Yazigi, a business sophomore student, said. Some students said they donate every year. The blood drive is organized annually across Lebanons universities to help children with cancer and to raise awareness about the importance of donation among students. This event unified all LAU students around one cause, aiding children in need, Charif said. To me this cannot be just deemed successful. This event was just astounding.

Bassam Lahouds Indonesian Vision

By Maria Fellas LAU Tribune staff
LAUs Beirut campus played host to a selection of photographs taken by the universitys own Bassam Lahoud. The photographs were on display at the Sheikh Zayed Hall in the Fine Arts Building between the 24th and the 30th of November. This exhibition was sponsored by the Indonesian Embassy in Lebanon, Lahoud said. The main purpose of it was to promote the Indonesian culture in Lebanon, and to introduce the students of LAU to the multiple aspects of how one can see a country through their camera lens. Lahoud explained that his pictures do not only cover sceneries, but also social and architectural aspects of Indonesia. These photographs are very subjective as you might have noticed, Lahoud said. The title also gave it away: Indonesia through the eyes of Bassam Lahoud. Lahoud explained that the exhibition came as a natural step following three pieces he wrote for Prestige Magazine. The photos on display as well as the articles cover three stops in Lahouds journey to Indonesia. He visited Jog Jakarta, Lombok and Bali and brought back his souvenirs in the form of photographs. The exhibition featured a fantastic display of colors and landscapes, making Indonesia seem a little more in reach for those who attended. Several subjects were depicted, from wedding ceremonies to holy temples, reflecting the many religions of Indonesia. Lahoud explained that he worked with the embassy to come out with an exhibition that shows the similarities between Indonesia and Lebanon. They have 3 main religions in Indonesia; Islam, Christianity and Hinduism, he said. It is very similar to Lebanon in terms of the mixture of cultures in one same country. This exhibition is to be followed up on with a third article written by Lahoud, to be published in mid- December.

SPORTS
By Zahi Sahli LAU Tribune staff
With each of the Manchester duo suffering an early elimination from their Champions League campaigns, the media will surely be highlighting these shocking events for the rest of the season. It is not the end of an era of English dominance over Europe as mourning columnists have written since last Wednesday. An end needs a start and if its someones era, its Barcelonas. They won the Champions League three times in the last six years. Despite Manchester Citys fine league form, the teams early Champions League exit has brought some to a sudden realization that club manager Roberto Mancinis record in European competitions has never been fruitful. Actually, his career is marred with major blurs in European football as he struggled to lead a strong Inter Milan a team which largely depended on stars they signed from then-demoted Juventus beyond the second round of the Champions League. Still Citys critics are exaggerating the size of what many see as a catastrophe. Never since Werder Bremens exit in the 2007 Champions League has a club been eliminated despite accumulating double figures in the group stage. The fact that it was a club like Napoli which advanced ahead of City should be a consolation for mourning fans and good news for the neutrals. While City attained their big club status through the generous cash injections of club owner Sheikh Mansour who has spent a mind-blowing 800m since buying the club in 2008 Napolis board has been practicing patience in a time where everyone in

dec.12, 2011

Tribune

These Are Dark Days for the Manchester Clubs

tivities transfer market. The club reported a 293,458 profit at the end of last season, a respectable sum if compared to the losses most Champions League clubs have been reporting on annufor the Serie A crown. And most importantly, Napoli managed to match their English opponents in the Manchester clubs own stadium. The Naples side even outclassed their petro-dollarrich rivals in Italy. What amplifies the amount of disappointment is Citys superb start to the season. They were seen as an unbreakable team. But hey, the last time something deemed unbreakable sailed from English shores, the outcome was similar. This time, however, I cant see how the ships captain is the man to blame. While some might be skeptical about Mancinis performance, I think the manager has done well despite his teams premature exit from Europes elite club competition. Given the history of heavyspending owners and their determination to clinch immediate success, Mancini has the right to be worried about any gaffe he might commit while serving as City manager. Perhaps the only consolation for the Blue side of Manchester was that their city rivals suffered the same horrible fate. Had there an Early Shame Award presented by a Champions League committee, Manchester United would be uncontested as they scoop the prize. Ferguson watched his team turn in lackluster displays and get kicked out of the group stages, finishing behind Portuguese Liga runner-up Benfica and Swiss Super League champions Basel in Group C. To make matters worse for the Scottish manager, his team won only twice, recording both wins against tournament debutants Otelul Galati. What adds to United fans disappointment is the high level of expectations which they had placed on the shoulders of their players. Despite the obvious weaknesses in the side like relying on 38-year-old Ryan Giggs pundits were adamant that United would have a glorious European run as the team cruised to promising results in the opening weeks of the season. Ferguson must be struggling to cope with two new realities which have smacked the faces of Manchester United fans around the world; first, United gets knocked off the perch in the Premier League by none other than City, and now they cannot overcome inferior sides in Europe. Of course, Mancini looks in envy at Ferguson whose 25-year-service for the club means that his job is secure. The clubs are set to square off against one another in the Premier League title race this season. Should United manage to change their fortunes and beat City for the league title, Mancini may then find it very hard to keep his job and for a relatively decent reason.

Photo via Facebook

Europe has been spending much more than whats in their wallets. A cumulative sum of 344 million was invested by the English club to sign players during the transfer windows in the last four years three of which are during Sheikh Mansours era. Last years 133 million wage bill eclipsed the clubs relatively poor 125 million income. Meanwhile Napoli is a selfsufficient company which handles its wage bills carefully and uses the revenue it generates to operate its ac-

al basis recently. The club has made steady improvement since its promotion to Serie A just four years ago. Since the club struggled in the lower divisions of Italian football, the board spent approximately 141 million to reshape the squad in the last four years. That is more than 2.4 times less than what City has spent in the same period. The club has depended on its scouting department to make shrew signings and build a team capable of challenging

Quote of the Issue

Of course it is disappointing to go out, our record in the last few years has been outstanding and its a loss to us going out because this is the best tournament in the world its a marvellous tournament, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said following his teams group stage Champions League exit.

Upcoming games
Serie A
12/12

Upcoming games
Serie A
18/12

Upcoming games
Premier League
12/12

Upcoming games
Premier League
18/12

AS Roma V Juventus
13/12

Genoa V Inter Milan

17/12 18/12

Juventus V Novara Napoli V AS Roma Lazio V Udinese

21/12

Chelsea V Man.City
17/12

Aston Villa V Liverpool Man.City V Arsenal

20/12 Blackburn V Botlon

Fulham V Liverpool
10/12

AC Milan V Siena Cesena V Inter Milan

Cagliari V AC Milan Inter V Lecce Napoli V Genoa Udinese V Juventus

Wigan V Chelsea 18/12 QPR V Man.Utd

21/12

Wigan V Liverpool

CAMPUS LIFE
Ceramics from the Heart
By Ranim Hadid LAU Tribune staff
It is already dark outside but a dozen students stand in the small, cold classroom in Nicol Hall, intensely concentrating on the job at hand. In front of them are piles of clay, slowly being transformed into art. Samar Mogharbel, the legendary class instructor, wears a cobalt blue overall full of clay stains. She swiftly moves from one student to another, helping sharpen the edges of a sculpture or improve the curve of another. Despite the late timing of the class and the dedication sculpting demands, Ceramics I attracts students from every major. Fine arts and communication students take it but so do business and political science majors. Mogharbel herself was a business computer major at LAU when she took the class as an elective with Dorothy Salhab Kazimi. She was a marvelous person, more of a tutor than a teacher, in the sense that she would give each student individual attention, Mogharbel said. Mogharbel later took Ceramics II and soon found herself launched in an artistic career. I didnt choose clay, it chose me, the artist said. Sometimes things come into your way because they are meant to be. Mogharbel does not teach ceramics in an ordinary way. She wants her students to be passionate and dedicated to the outcome of their projects. The only way to teach is to love the material youre teaching and love the students so you can pass on it to

Tribune

dec. 12, 2011

them, she said. Mogharbel has been teaching at LAU for the past 30 years. Ameera Al Felaij, an interior design student, took Ceramics I with Mogharbel and is now taking Ceramics II. Out of all the classes Ive taken in LAU, this is the class that Ive enjoyed most and the

reason is Ms. Samar, Al Felaij said. Growing up with an identical twin sister, Mogharbel was not considered an artistic child. To be able to differentiate, then, between her and her sister Sahar, are had to look for the one digging in the earth. Youd always find

me working with my hands, Mogharbel said. She considered herself to be more of a fixer than an artist. Im still not artistic, I always work by challenge, Mogharbel said. Its the challenge that makes me do things, I like to push the clay to the extreme. She explains that, when dealing with clay, a person must be patient before he or she can understand the materials full potential. Her students understand it. Shes constantly telling us to speak to the clay and, when you hear that from your teachers, you know how much they love and respect the material they are teaching, Sari Shrayteh, a radio/TV/film student, said. It

Photo by: Ranim Hadid

continued on page 10

Future Photography Plans at LAU

By Iman Soufan LAU Tribune staff
Wherever I go, I take it with me. Whether its in my purse or around my neck, I make sure it is always by my side. Im a photography buff and Im known to have my Canon camera with me everywhere I go. For me, the only downside of studying at LAU is that I cant pursue my passion in a structured, academic fashion. Today, the Lebanese American University offers two photography courses in Beirut, PHO 211 and PHO 212, but no minor or major in the field. Investigating this issue, I met with Rached Bohsali, the chair of the fine arts department. He had good news to share. We have plans for a photography BFA in the near future, he said. It will be implemented by 2014 hopefully. Today, four instructors teach the two available courses: LAU is known for having a strong fine arts school with a wide range of majors to offer; I was surprised to know that photography wasnt one of them! Lara Arafeh, an AUB student said. Bohsali explained the gap. Before the birth of the architecture and design school, the university was unsure where to incorporate such a major. It wasnt known whether it was a part of arts and science or of the school of architecture and engineering, Bohsali explained. This new school is half way between both and thats where photography belongs. The chair of the fine arts department added that the relatively-new school was never likely to have photography as a field in its first few years Keeping in mind that LAU has won several photography awards, Lahoud noted that there is a high demand from students for a minor. There is enough demand to have a photography major. A survey by the Tribune confirmed his belief. Out of 60 students interviewed, 41 said they were interested to minor in photography. They came from various majors. Twenty-eight voted for both a major and a minor. My parents convinced me to study in Lebanon so I could stay close to them and it really was a shame that none of the American universities here had a major or a minor in photography, Nour Chamoun, a design student said. Bohsali assured me that the project was underway. Something like this requires time, but now that the plan is ready and we are applying it, he said. The photography BFA will hopefully be cemented in Fall 2014. The school is boiling! Bohsali proudly said.
Photo via Creative Commons

Albert Saikali, Bassam Lahoud, Christina Rahme and Carlos Ghoussoub. This wealth in instructors has made students wonder why the university doesnt have a major or, at least, a minor in the field. Its not like theres a lack of staff, I really wish there was a minor in photography, it would be so much fun! Tina

Khalil, a business senior at LAU commented. Bassam Lahoud, full-time photography instructor, said he has the time and willingness to teach more photography courses at LAU if given the chance. Christina Rahme, who teaches PHO 211, is also ready to offer her services when the program is approved.

CAMPUS LIFE

dec. 12, 2011

Tribune

Vox Pop: What Car Do You Drive andWhy?

Ahmad Jichi 21-year-old management student I drive a Toyota Camri because its a family car, its safe and economical.

Nour Al Zaben 22-year-old business student I drive a Mercedes E class coupe because my mom picked it out and wanted to buy it for me.

Hussein Skaiky 20-year-old business student I drive a Porsche Cayenne because it is amazing and classy.

Hayat Zock 21-year-old graphic design student I drive a Nissan-Sunny. It is my parents car not mine specifically.

Samer Abboud 19-year-old computer science student I drive a Golf GTI because I need a car for transportation to university.

Khoury Stages a Riveting First Major Production at LAU

By Zahi Sahli and Lama Al-Haqhaq LAU Tribune staff
Lina Khourys major production, Occupant, debuted on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Gulbenkian Theater in front of a full house. A spectacular and intimate windown into art and artists, Khourys play is based on Edward Albees play Occupant. The play consists of an interview and indelible portrait of the American sculptor Louise Nevelson. But instead of sticking to the original account, Khoury created an Arabic version of the play whose central character is the deceased Badia Nakhle. After she gets introduced and questioned by a presenter, Nakhle tells the story of her life, beginning at the time in which she traveled to Lebanon from Nablus, Palestine, during her childhood. Throughout the play, Nakhles public accomplishments and private emotional conflicts are thoroughly examined as she articulates her philosophy of life, death, work, love, marriage, art, sexuality, depression finding her specialness and becoming herself. The result is an intense and riveting play that celebrates artists and women equally. Seven different actresses and one actor portrayed Nakhle in the different stages of her life, performing admirably and passionately. The actors raised their voices tempo and tone when speaking about exuberant stages of Nakhles life and spoke calmly when informing the audience about Nakhles slumps. Nakhles ups and downs represent the customary highs and lows in a typical artists life, and Khoury sees that her play salutes artists. Occupant aims to present a realistic account of an artists struggle to ascend from the realms of obscurity to fame, Khoury said. It is a tribute from me to all artists to show how hard it is before they eventually make it, Khoury said. Being an artist is very hard. Ahead of the opening show, the energetic director continuously scanned the stage and gave instructions on how to design the set. The background of the set consisted of black and wooden walls, shelves and closets. The closets were filled with traditional Arab attire, a beaded curtain, suitcases piled on each other and books. Try-outs and rehearsals for the play began with the start of the fall semester. As the date of the opening night approached, practices became hectic. Rehearsals consisted of several levels. The first level included only the actors and stage managers while the final stages introduced new
Photo by: Sami Haddad

members to the crew. The technical people only came in one week before the performance. Thats why we call this period Tech Week, Khoury said about the final week of preparations. The cast started off by rehearsing for two hours a day. As the date of the opening night approached, they worked for up to eight hours a day. Im rehearsing every day with different cast and crew members to put them all on the same level, Khoury said. Still, Khoury enjoyed the

hectic schedule of rehearsals. Its like youre building something. Its like blocks that you have to put together to get the unity back, she said. We all enjoy it, and we all love to do it, she said regarding the rehearsal process. Its not only a physical effort that is needed from the actors during these rehearsals, but an emotional and mental effort as well. So it is very tiring but they love it, so that gives you the balance, Khoury continued. The interaction between the

actors and the audience kept the crowd captivated until the very end. Lina Khoury is a director, presenter and producer. She has directed various plays including Haki Niswen, Sar Lezem Nehki, How I Learned to Drive, Antigone, Rakshasas Ring and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune. She is also an alumna of LAUs communication arts department. The cast includes students from LAU, a student from the Lebanese university and three professional actors.

Philippe M. Frossard, Scientist and Dean

By Zeina Shehayeb LAU Tribune staff
Taking a step forward into the second office on your left in Nicols third floor, you find a fully organized wooden desk with papers and documents spread in order of importance and deadline. Welcome to the world of Dr. Philippe M. Frossard, the dean of the arts and sciences school for both the Beirut and Byblos campuses. Frossard, who joined LAU in October, received his BS, MS, MPhil and PhD with honors from the faculties of sciences and medicine at the Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg, France. He worked in the professional field but ultimately chose the university setting instead. I love teaching and, for a scholar, the proper place to be is with students, Frossard said. He has worked as a medical researcher and as a dean as well in several countries including the United States, England, Australia, Japan, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Both jobs draw on basic steps such as innovation, creativity and planning, Frossard added. They both have same working principles. He sees himself mostly as a dean but says that his work as a medical researcher provided him with the knowledge and experience needed in his current job. As a dean, Im asked to devote 100 percent of my time to the tasks at hand, Frossard said. But my experience as a medical researcher has taught me to take quick decisions, be effective, multitask and develop a synthetic mind. Frossard was born and raised in France. He had dreams of majoring in science and medicine and the latter in business. I would definitely encourage them to come to LAU but, at the end of the day, they have to decide, Frossard said. Before joining LAU, the French dean worked as the director and vice president at the center for Non-Communicable Diseases in Karachi, Pakistan. Between 2009 and March 2011, he was the dean of the college of arts and sciences at Abu Dhabi University, UAE. It is very enriching to work in different countries. You become citizen of the world and you experience globalization, which is the issue of the century, Frossard said. It teaches you tolerance and celebration of diversity. Frossard came to Lebanon on several occasions and has several Lebanese friends. He sees the country as a centerpoint at the junction of East and West. It has managed to bring the best of both worlds through the cultural richness of the country, the dean added. Frossard said he chose to apply to LAU based on the universitys reputation and outstanding vision and because of the people he met here. I met motivated and dedicated professionals in all fields and beyond, he explained. I really enjoyed my interaction with them. As the dean of arts and sciences. Frossard would like to bring the school, its faculty, staff and students to the next level of excellence. At the end of the day, being a mentor for students and junior colleagues would give me greater satisfaction, Frossard said. I like to allow and help people excel.
Photo by: Ranim Hadid

PEOPLE

Tribune

dec. 12, 2011

becoming a scientist since childhood and preferred science courses at school. My family always supported me and let me decide what I want to do, he said. I hope that Im doing the same with my children. Frossard is married and has two sons and a daughter. They are enrolled in universities in France the first two

Tag Team: Man and Beast

By Lyn Abu-Seraj LAU Tribune staff
I barely want to go out with my friends, Majd Dana, an architecture major at LAU, said. During my free time, I always enjoy going to the stable and riding horses. Dana is not a normal 20-year-old. He has made his family proud with his latest victory at a horseback riding competition. My two brothers also ride, and the three of us won first place in different categories, the young man explained. Dana is passionate toward horseback riding. He truly believes that, if one wants to be a professional rider, then he or she needs to build a strong bond with the horse. Dana himself shares this unique bond with his Dutch horse for five years now, Leah. The Dana family is well known in this sport. The young mans great-greatgrandfather was a professional rider and a champion. The ancestors passion was passed on from one generation to another. Dana can never imagine his life without horseback riding. He was raised, since birth, around stables and horses. He fed and showered them during his free time. When Dana turned five, he rode his first horse and ever since, has been devoted to this passion. My father is my personal trainer and we also get trainers from Germany and Holland for intensive training once a year, Dana said. Although Mohamad Dana is Majds trainer and father at the same time, he does not give his son any special treatment in the arena. My father is 100 percent my trainer. He treats me like any other rider, Dana said. At home, he is 100 percent my dad. Dana explained that this sport has brought the whole family together. His two brothers, Malih and Jad share the same dream. Danas supporting mother is always around during competitions but, like any other mother, she is always concerned for her childrens safety and refuses to attend training. Dana won first place in the Senior B category, his 22-year-old brother Malih won first place in the Senior A category and his 16-yearold brother Jad won first place in the Juniors category. We did the best we can, we dominated the competition, Dana proudly said. The Danas filed an application to the Guinness Book of World Records, as three national champions from one family in one year. The Horseback Riding Federation seemed to appreciate this triple victory. They have given the winners some money, the young man said. Not much, but something to congratulate us for our hard work. Dana believes that this is the only sport with no separation along gender lines, as it can bring men and women to compete back to back. This sport doesnt really need extreme physical fitness but the ability to become one with the horse, Dana said. The rider and the horse should become one entity.
Courtesy of Majd Dana

CULTURE & FASHION

Matteo El-Khodr: A Rare Voice
By Mohamad Al-Oraybi LAU Tribune staff
Matteo El-Khodr is always dressed in the finest attire and happily signing autographs in the busy streets of Paris. Apart from his infamous Berkin bag and striking black eye liner, he is known for a priceless countertenor voice that allows him to sing the highest pitch in a mans vocal capacity. His voice is one of the rarest known to man since the seventeenth century. El-Khodr is 26. Born and raised in Beirut, he grew up in a house hosting a cultural cocktail of art, music, and religious ideologies. His mother is of Turkish origin and his father GreekLebanese. From the earliest years of my life, I recall listening to my parents choice of beautiful diverse music genres, he says. Introduced as a child to Madonna, Michael Jackson, Sabah, Oum Kulthoum, Vivaldi, Bach, Edith Piaf and Mozart, developed in him the musical background he needed to sing opera today. He started playing the piano at 6. His passion for opera slowly grew with him as a young boy. El-Khodrs voice was recognized at age 12, when he sang Bachs Cantata Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen. Everyone told me that I should sing, I was told that I have a voice, El-Khodr explained. Little did I know that I was blessed with a rare voice that would take me to Paris and be my career. Unaware of his gift as a young boy, he refused to join the Lebanese Conservatory; El-Khodr kept playing the piano and singing with his private Russian tutor. His voice grew stronger and more mature every day. El-Khodr was 18 when he sang Puccinis Nessun Dorma from Turandot for his mothers birthday at a restaurant in Beirut. When I finished singing that night, I was unexpectedly approached by managers talking about Paris and asking me to do business with them, saying that they can make me a star, the young man recalled. Two months later, he was in Paris and had signed a contract with Universal Music France. It all happened really fast. One day I was recording a demo in Beirut, the next I was signing a life changing contract in Paris, El-Khodr said. On that warm day in September, Matteo the star was born and his career began. He released his first album Matteo Haute-Contre, a mix between pop and opera, hits from the opera world remixed and a hit from the pop world. Roxane by Sting, made into classical with the Philarmonical Orchestra de Radio France. I sing pop-opera in order to attract all generations, he said. I want the younger generation to appreciate opera and enjoy listening to it. Being based in Paris never took El-Khodr away from Lebanon. For the past five years, he has performed in Lebanon at least once a year. I have my annual Easter Concert in Beirut, and sang in many festivals such as Beiteddeen Festival two years ago, Al-Khodr said. To his surprise, the Lebanese people highly valued his work; his albums were almost sold out and his concerts in Lebanon fully booked. El-Khodr realized the hunger for an opera culture in Lebanon and the Middle East. I was very happy to see people from all age groups coming to my concerts in Lebanon, he said. Knowing that a voice like mine, feminine
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and very rare, is appreciated in my country is a big accomplishment for me. Today, El-Khodr is the only countertenor from the Middle East and one of 52 in the world. He is a phenomenon that unfortunately had to leave Lebanon to be recognized.

Fairuz: For All Generations

By Natalia Elmani LAU Tribune staff
as one of the Middle Easts most treasured singers, Nouhad Wadi Haddad, now more famously referred to as Fairuz, was born in 1943. She grew up in Beirut and was recognized for her unusual voice at the mere age of 10. Mohamed Fleyfel, a music instructor and musician at the Lebanese Conservatory, caught on to the young girls talent and began lessons with her. Not long after, Halim El Roumi, the head of the Lebanese Radio Station and father of singer Majida El Roumi, asked the young Nouhad to be the chorus singer for the station. Eventually, he gave her the stage name of turquoise, or Fairuz in Arabic. Shortly after, Fairuz was introduced to the Rahbani brothers, Assi and Mansour, who composed hundreds of her songs, ultimately joining her into vital fame throughout the Middle East and beyond. Fairuz and Assi Rahbani married on January 23, 1955. I used to cry at the rehearsals, Hala Masri, a theater coordinator at LAU who was part of Fairuzs choir in two of her concerts in 2003. Rehearsals lasted until three in the morning, she remembered. But for me it was too short, I wanted to stay overnight and practice, Masri added. Like the majority who encounter Fairuzs music, Masri appreciated the uniqueness of her voice. When you listen to Fairuzs voice without a microphone, it lifts you up to the sky, Masri said. She knows everything, she rehearses until the last minute before the performance, she doesnt give herself a break and she wants everything to be perfect. Fairuzs concerts speak for the vast amount of people who are mesmerized by her talent. Lebanons ambassador to the stars has performed around the Middle East and beyond. She encountered hundreds of stages, including the famous Royal Albert Hall in London in 1962 and Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1971. Her most recent concert came this weekend, the everanticipated performance at Sahel Alma. It extends until next week. Audiences from around the country converged to listen to her older songs by the Rahbani brothers and newer albums by her son, Ziad. Even for the younger generations surrounded by Arab pop stars, Fairuz is still a favorite. I used to listen to her in the car with my parents, she offers a sort of serenity to people, Kareem Al-Shamma, a hospitality management major, said. Its Fairuz, you cant compare her to anyone. Nothing is enough for her and her words are amazing.
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Only she can talk to the heavens, talk to God, a photographer said in the documentary Fairuz: We Loved Each Other So Much. He created a riveting scene of one her concerts in Baalbeck, in which the clouds parted and the moon cast a strong light all over the city in response to her voice. Known throughout the world

Celebrity Duets Season II Review

By Farah Al Saati LAU Tribune staff
Tears of joy filled the eyes of Lebanese actress Maguy Bou Ghosn as presenter Dina Azar announced that she is the winner of the second season of Celebrity Duets. She won 50,000 US dollars, which she donated to the St. Jude Childrens Cancer Center of Lebanon. Carlos Azar, who won 25,000 US dollars for second place, gifted his award to Oum El Nour, a local non-profit organization fighting drug addiction. The show was aired on the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International every Friday night for 11 weeks. Eleven celebrities from the Arab world gathered to compete, each for his or her cause of choice. Maguy Bou Ghosn, Seif Elsbei, Pamela El Kik, Heba Abassiry, Dima al Jundi, Carlos Azar, Tarek Abou Jaoude, Habib El Habib, Omar EL Dini, Mirna Khayat and Maysoun El Rowaili were this seasons contestants. The show took the Arab public every Friday night on a musical journey as popular songs were performed. Stars from the Arab world like Wadih El Safi, Haifa Wehbe, Kazem El Saher, Samira Said, Carole Samaha, Saad Ramadan and others contributed to the show along with the participants. Spectacular dance choreography and beautiful decorations added a sweet richness to the evenings. On the last prime, children from the St. Jude Childrens Cancer Center of Lebanon and from Oum El Nour were among the audience members. The jury included composers Romeo Lahoud and Oussama Rahbani and the singer Abdullah Belkheir. Throughout the show, judges evaluated the improved performances of the participants and critiqued everything from

MEDIA & LITERATURE

singing to choice of clothes to choreography. Belkheir, the most humorous member of the jury, became popular for granting a big YES to every contestant and sending wholehearted kisses to the audience. Pamela El Kik surprised her fans and the judges with the news of the launch of her own first single. In another surprise, especially made for the last show, Azar and Bou Ghoson together performed Atazalet El Gharam by Majida El Roumi. The five finalists Maguy Bou Ghosn, Seif Elsbei, Pamela El Kik, Carlos Azar and Tarek Abou Jaoude sang together Ghanily Ghanni. Carlos Azars second-place rating came as a surprise. Although Bou Ghosns voice is promising, it was Azar who did not receive any negative vote from the jury since the

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program started. Azar got 45 positive votes. The conclusion of the voting by members of the jury during the second season was as follows: composer Romeo Lahoud gave 70 YESs and 19

NOs, and abstained from voting once. Composer Osama Rahbani gave 53 YESs and 37 NOs. UAE artist Abdullah Belkheir gave 86 YESs and 3 NOs and abstained from voting once.

Photo via Celebrity Duets Official Facebook Page

Are You Apple-Demic?

By Carla Hazarian LAU Tribune staff
Photo via Creative Commons

Wherever you look you see it. Shiny, sleek and sophisticated. The future, they call it. The Apple craze is everywhere. From iPods to iPads and iPhones, everyone wants one. What is it about Apple Macintosh and its products? In recent years, Apple seems to have surpassed old school phones and computers. It has been marketed as the new electronic fashion accessory. Ownership of Apple gadgets became some sort of elitist cult that everyone wants to join. But have

you ever stopped to see what price we pay for such luxury? According to a teardown analysis conducted by research firm Isuppli, the 16 GB iPhone 4 roughly costs about 188 US dollars to build without the cost of shipping or the labor it takes to assemble the phone. But although Apple is an American brand, its products are all made in China by two manufacturing companies: Foxconn and Inventec. Using cheap labor, Apple saves millions. When the iPhone 4 came out in Lebanon, the price was no less than 800 US dollars . Today, iPhone 4 S 16 GB costs 940 dollars. Apples profit margin is staggering and by no means is this a crime of any sort. Corporations are free to sell their

products at whatever price they please. People are also free to buy them or not. Its just interesting that people embrace such a product at such a price. One would assume that, because Apple products are so expensive, that they are made in the United States. In reality, Apple products are just cheaply made by impoverished Chinese sweatshop laborers. The working conditions of these people are inhumane. Apple was all over the news last summer when a string of suicide deaths hit one of its factories in China. More recently, a worker at Apples Foxconn killed himself by leaping to his death on May 26, 2011. Every year, Apple releases new and improved versions of its products but, essentially, its still the same

thing, only slightly tweaked with a new hefty price tag. Every year also, hundreds of people eagerly await to buy new Apple products. And spending never stops at that point; theres a whole Apple Store offering music, books, and Apps, ready to drain your credit cards. Essentially, Apple products are divided into four main categories; phones (iPhone) tablets (iPad), music systems (iPod),and personal computers (Macs). Up until 2007, music that you bought on iTunes could only be put onto Apple products. This made consumers stick to the brand. While this is no longer the case, it is still difficult for Apple consumers to venture out of the realm of Apple when they shop. Then iCloud came along. It is a giant database in the

sky that allows consumers to store and sync music, iTunes purchases, documents and personal information on all owned apple devices. It will all be backed up on an Apple server. While being able to sync music on multiple devices seems quite practical, I wonder why someone would trust their personal information with anyone but themselves. It is one step closer to a mass invasion of privacy. Its not up to me to tell anyone what they can or cant do. If it makes you happy then you are free to do as you please. But be aware of how major corporations milk us for money. At least give them a hard time about it and show them that you are not as blind as they think you are.

OPINION
By Caroline Feghaly LAU Tribune staff
I am one of the journalism students who produce and distribute our universitys newspaper, the LAU Tribune. Some students whom I encountered while distributing the paper acted in a very disrespectful manner, which is why I am writing this piece. When one usually offers you something, whether free or not, you take it and thank them with respect. Or, if you are not interested, you can tell them the truth and thank them anyway. When handing out the Tribune, some students take it with a wide smile, appreciating the hard work that was put in it. Others rejected it politely. But there were a few who snatched it from me and suggested to their friends to wipe their faces with it. Hearing these comments lights the fires of rage within me. This only shows me how feeble-minded and unappreciative people can be. If only they knew the amount of thought and effort we put into the paper. We tackle issues of concern to the LAU community and try to resolve them through our pen. We strive to be the voice of the students when they have something to say and cant do it alone. We offer them this newspaper as a forum. We

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Note: The LAU Tribune is not responsible for the opinions expressed on this page.

Appreciate The Tribunes Efforts

try our best to make them heard. Several changes were made around campus due to articles in the Tribune. But then again, how would these people know? They just dont read. To them, cool students do not read. In reality, it works the other way around; ignorance is not cool, general knowledge is. Despite our hard work, I find Tribune copies thrown on the floor outside the upper gate or next to trash cans.I pick the issues up one by one because I see in them my effort thrown away. Not everyone can manage to run a newspaper and keep it alive. The Tribune has been growing every year, passed from a generation of journalism students to another. Each generation adds something new to it, freshening it up. They do that through dedication, hard work, courage and commitement. Every other Thursday, we, the Journalism Worskshop students, stay until midnight producing the paper. I am absolutely positive that no one would like his or her effort to go unregarded. The Tribune is a means of communication between students and the LAU administration. It also covers events some of which take place outside campus, and investigates stories that people around campus are curious to know more about. No one can oblige people to do something against their own will. Similarly, we cannot make anyone take the Tribune and read it. But I would much rather have someone not take a copy of the paper, rather than seeing him or her take it and toss it away. It is extremely impolite and immature to undermine peoples efforts. Instead, you should be supportive. Be open to the world and its news. Read this is what makes you literate individuals.

Leaders Running Out of Time, People Running Out of Money

By Ibrahim Halawi Special to the LAU Tribune
While I try to sort out my thoughts for an unsorted situation, I see the so-called lost generation -unemployed and frustrated- occupy the streets of Athens, Rome, Los Angeles, Washington, New York, and Portland violently shut down by thousands of riot police. It is as historical as it sounds! Yes, cities around the world revolting against the system at the same time. But, corporate media sponsored by corporations and personnel that are sharing most of the nations wealth, has been doing an effective effort in cornering the movement. Only through internet independent livestream networks that the public is able to see whats really going on in the streets. In fact, originated from Wall Street, the occupy movement has reached overseas. It has reached numerous cities and societies that are struggling with inequality and corruption. Last Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that Europe could be going through its toughest days since World War Two. For a free-market economy like the one in Europe, morale is the key to recovery; especially investors and stock brokers morale which influence the markets activity and stock prices. Ironically, while the European leaders are craving for a bright solution, they are adding to the drama with their unintelligent commentaries about the situation. Europe could be going through its toughest days since WWII? Now thats the spirit Chancellor Merkel! With this spirit, you would certainly welcome back a war; a new kind of war, a war against the corruption and corporate greed that has led and is still leading- to an intolerable gap between the rich elite minority and the poor majority. Yes, thats in Europe and the U.S., not only in the so called Third World. A study by Yahoo Finance shows that approximately 1 out of 5 children in the United States was living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years. The same survey claims that the bottom 50% of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nations wealth. While the Euro leaders run out of time and ideas, they have succeeded in pressuring for the resignation of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and dismissing his demand to have a referendum (A public yes or no vote) that would decide if the Greek society is with implementing the strict economic measures that the Euro decided on. With a stunning emotional yet logical- final speech to the Greek nation, the ex-prime minister explained the controversy of the Western democracy as they refuse to let the Greeks the parents of democracy- decide their future with his suggested referendum. Lucas Papademos replaced George Papandreou as Greek Prime Minister and a national coalition government that is tasked with implementing crucial reforms and securing the countrys international loan lifeline is established. Sounds refreshing! But, Greeces mission impossible is relatively possible compared to Italys and Spains missions. Italy is the third largest economy in the Euro zone after Germany and France. With a 1.9 trillion dollar, high interest rate on its international loans, negative economic growth and high rates of unemployment, Berlusconis resignation is not enough to sound refreshing! The angry occupy movement still hasnt reached its peak. With the recent suppression and violence by the police, it is expected to grow even faster, especially in Greece, Italy, Spain, Ireland, and the United States. How will the so-claimed democratic governments of the economically troubled countries explain the violence in their streets? How will they deal with the growing rage and frustration? Will the new technocratic unelected governments in Greece and Italy accomplish the impossible and find a permanent solution rather than a temporary one for the Euro crisis?

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CONTINUED
Lebanese Football
Continued from page 1
November 11. As a result of a series of clashes among fans in stadiums, the federation had imposed a ban on fan attendance in 2006. And Haidar believes that the return of fans to the Lebanese stadiums has been instrumental in lifting the Cedars above their mighty opponents. The fans form 50 percent of every success. The interest of officials, especially the presence of the president, encouraged the players, Haidar said. Nejmeh captain Abbas Atwi, who scored the deciding goal from a penalty kick against South Korea, underlined the importance of the fans attendance during the games of the national team. The fans played a big role in our win against South Korea as we did not want to disappoint the people watching us, Lebanons number 10 said. Amid increased criticism over the dire conditions of football stadiums in the country, Haidar explained that the federation is not responsible for the maintenance of pitches. Municipalities or the state, depending on who owns the stadiums, are responsible for renovating them, Haidar said. We said that we needed better stadiums but we suffer sometimes with some owners while others respond positively. Meanwhile Lebanese head coach Theo Bcker identified Lebanons new tactical philosophy as a foundational element in the teams excellent form. We play a special concept, we have a kind of a philosophy of how to act and here we underline team work, Bcker, who also manages current Lebanese League champions Al-Ahed, said when asked about the tactics he has adopted for the Lebanese national team. Everybody has to participate in attacking and defending. We are changing the old-fashion tactical ideas by working on all of our players mentally to say I am a football player and I have to do everything to the best of my ability, Bcker added. Haidar said that the federation spent heavily within their slender means to ensure quality preparation for the national team which included a training camp in Qatar ahead of their 1-0 away wins against Kuwait. The key element, which would boost the standard of the game, is the improvement of the Lebanese Premier Leagues competitiveness, Haidar explained. What must now be done is to improve the image of the league. The level of the clubs, the league and the national team are linked to one another, Haidar said. And when we have a higher level of football, we can get sponsors to invest in Lebanese football. The national team relies on players like team captain and Chinese club Shandong Luneng star Roda Antar and Emirates Al-Ahli and former Koln F.C. captain Youssef Mohamad two players who have been plying their trade in foreign leagues for years now. Now that people realize the potential of Lebanese football, foreign clubs are scouting Lebanese players and more Lebanese talents are playing abroad, Haidar said, adding that he expects more Lebanese players to sign contracts with foreign clubs in the future. Lebanese forwards Mohammad Ghaddar and Hassan Maatouk and defenders Ramez Dayoub and Bilal Najja-

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HIV/AIDS
Continued from page 1
rin have been playing at Malaysian side Kelantan FA, Emirates club Ajman, Malaysian club Selangor FA and Bankstown City Lions F.C. respectively. Although Lebanon is just a small step away from clinching an unprecedented qualification to the fourth round of the World Cup qualifiers, Bcker is keen that his players guard against complacency in their final match against the Emirates to secure qualification. If we lose against the Emirates and Kuwait beat South Korea, we are out. Then everybody would be even more disappointed than before. We need to keep both legs on the ground and really concentrate on the last step, Bcker said. The German coach, who managed the likes of Egyptian giants Zamalek and Ismaily, believes that the team must still improve its performances if the country wants to achieve superior feats. We need to conserve the level of our performances and from there, go forward because there is room for improvement. The only competitive tournament in which the Lebanese national team has taken part in is Asian Cup in 2000. Lebanon hosted the tournament and the national team hence featured as automatic entree. Lebanon was unable to go beyond the group stage though. Positioned at 146th in the FIFA World Rankings before the qualifying campaign, Lebanons efforts have been rewarded as they moved up 35 positions. The Lebanese national team plays its final qualifier against the United Arab Emirates in the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium on February 29, 2012. through mother to child transmission (MTCT), and 15.6 percent via blood products. AIDS has been traditionally associated with male homosexuality and anal intercourse, Ray Joureidiny, an assistant professor of sociology at LAU, explained. Taking a religious view, many see the disease as Gods punishment. Jouredini explained that HIV is so prevalent around the world that it has affected our attitudes toward sexuality. In some countries, for example, HIV tests are in order before you marry your partner or get pregnant. Not in Lebanon. Zeina El-Tani, a medicine student in Switzerland, is currently interning at a local hospital in Beirut. She was shocked to find out that pregnant women are not tested for HIV here. Such a precaution would ensure that the virus does not get transmitted to the neonate. As world AIDS day came closer this year, AUB medical students worked tirelessly for the cause. They set up stands in Hamra, Ashrafieh, Jal El Dib and Jounieh to spread awareness about the disease and collect donations. We have limited members and we are medical students so we are busy as hell, Maher Bazzi, an AUB medical student, said. We try to help as much as possible in any free time we have. AUBs medical students also gave out cards with addresses of medical centers around Lebanon that test for HIV anonymously and at no cost. They rotated in schools in Beirut and taught sex education to children aged 10 till 17. Bazzi is a member of SCORA, or the Standing Committee of Reproductive Health Including AIDS. This year, the organization adopted a new slogan focusing on anti-discrimination. If you can point a finger, you can lend a hand, it says. SCORA partly raise funds by selling concert tickets. Last year, Mashrou Leyla played for them while this year, MEEN will perform on December 19. Tickets cost 20,000 LBP for students and 20 US dollars for non-students, and are available for sale at AUBs West Hall. Part of SCORAs effort is a free hugs campaign, an international initiative to spread the message that hugs dont transmit HIV and preach more compassion toward AIDS victims. Two weeks ago on Saturday, SCORA volunteers were stationed at Gemmayzeh, giving out free hugs and condoms to partygoers. But despite the effort, many dont want to talk about it. I dont know anything about it, an interior architecture student told me when I gave her statistics about Lebanon. It doesnt concern me.

Ceramics from the Heart

Continued from page 4
makes us respect it more. Shrayteh explained that he would have loved to take Ceramics II with Mogharbel but has already exhausted his free electives. She has a special interaction with her students, she encourages us to do what we feel like doing with our own projects, he said. Mogharbel recently displayed 28 works at Ajial Art Gallery in Hamra. The exhibition, named Interception, included her most valued piece, The Marching Army, which is made up of 36 parts put together. These are Islamic helmets from the time of Salah El-Din, its a ramping army that is still marching after they have been battered and defeated, Mogharbel said. There is hope and dignity behind it. She hopes that this specific work would be exhibited outside the Middle East to help people understand Arab culture. For Mogharbel, indeed, the best way to portray a message to an audience is through art. The only way to win anything is through art, I believe that art is our fighting grounds, she said.

Adviser: Yasmine Dabbous

The Team
Staff: Iman Soufan, Carla Hazarian, Lyn Abu-Seraj, Layan Doueik, Omar El Tani, Zeina Shehayeb, Mohamed Al-Oraybi, Mayya Al-Ogaily, Natalia Elmani, Assaad Hawwa,Caroline Feghaly, Rouba Jaafar, Maria Fellas, Samia Buhulaiyem

Editors-in-Chief: Farah Al Saati, Ranim Hadid, Zahi Sahli

The 30-Year Revolution: Abu Elie Pub

By Lama Al-Haqhaq LAU Tribune contributor
Posters of revolutionary figures such as Che Guevara, Nelson Mandela and Yasser Arafat decorate the walls of an area able to accommodate no more than 25 people at a time. Behind the bar stands Therese, more popularly known as Imm Elie, preparing food and singing along to Fairuzs Kifak Inta, which plays in the background. She is a quaint, blonde woman married to the owner of the bar, who only comes down to the place late at night. The bar is conveniently and simply Abu Elie Pub. We started around 1983 or 84, a reflecting Imm Elie recalls. While she cant quite remember the year, one thing shes sure of is the reason this bar came to be. Abu Elie has his own political opinions and values and he opened this place to make a statement, she explained. Opening its doors during the Lebanese civil war, Abu Elie Pub started off as a place where a close-knit group of people could come together. Through word of mouth, though, more and more people found out about it. Along with alcohol, the bar serves foods ranging from chicken wings and potato wedges, to taouk and kafta sandwiches. The food is prepared on the spot by Imm Elie herself. It seems that it wasnt Abu Elies concern to create a successful, profitable business. Imm Elie explains that the bar was opened as a message more than a business, and is just a way of life for them. Looking at the flags and souvenirs scattered around the bar, it is not hard to see that this message is one pertaining to leftist revolutionary ideology. The day the bar turns commercial is the day well stop working, Imm Elie said, passionately. The middle-aged woman said that the bar, located on Karakas Street, was robbed more than once during the war. Thugs did not only steal money, but also valuables belonging to Abu Elie. I dont think it had anything to do with us being Christians in the West, Imm Elie said. I think they didnt like our politics. The most striking thing about the bar is its distinctive design. It lies behind a sliding glass door which carries postImm Elie said that everyone who stumbles on the bar comes back with friends, and even tourists in the country do the same. She believes that this is because the bar is a comfortable place to be in. I like people to feel like theyre being welcomed into my home, she explained. Apparently, a lot of the bars first customers still visit regularly. Some people cant come all way down here anymore, she said. But now their children do. To stand within walls that hold a great deal of history may be overwhelming for some, yet Imm Elie doesnt pay it much notice. Maybe Im just used to it now, she said with a smile. When asked if she had ever imagined that the bar would still be running 30 years later, she gave a stern nod in response. She explained that when people do things they really believe in, they can expect these things to go on for a long time. Whether the bar is successful or not is not Abu Elies main concern, she insisted. His message is; not everything is about money.
Photo by: Lama Al-Haqhaq

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ers bearing revolutionary quotes, an unlikely entrance to our common day bars. Bullets lie on the shelves and a hammer and sickle, a widely recognized communist symbol, are stuck to the ceiling. The walls are barely visible due to the endless sea of posters and pictures. According to Imm Elie, her husband first put up pictures of people he admired for their ideologies and views. His friends who frequent the bar started doing the same, as did

their other friends, until the walls became completely covered. The spontaneous decorating didnt stop there. The wall behind the bar is also impossible to see, as pictures and notes left on currency are plastered all across. Abu Elie, the revolution starts with you, reads a 1,000 LBP note. Theres another layer under the one you see, Imm Elie said with a chuckle. This is 30 years of memories made by our customers.

Hymenoplasty: Turning the Clocks Back

By Wael Mrad LAU Tribune contributor
The grooms mother anxiously awaits by the bedroom door through the wedding night. When a piece of linen, tainted with blood, is handed over to her, she gasps happily and finally relaxes. The scene, repeated in Egyptian movies and Turkish series, is a familiar one. If it says anything about our culture, it is the emphasis society places on womens chastity, demonstrated in this case through the breaking of the hymen on the wedding night. Ali Zein, a radio/TV/film student at LAU, is currently producing an academic documentary on hymenoplasty, which stands for the reconstruction of a destroyed hymen through surgery. I chose this subject because a friend of mine, whos not a virgin, went to have a general check-up at a gynecologist, and was asked by her doctor if she would be interested in undergoing an operation, Zein said. I became interested in making a film about this issue because its a surgery thats done due to several social, cultural, and even religious pressures bestowed on women in Lebanon. Dalia Fleihan, an LAU engineering student, strongly opposes premarital sex. She said that girls may undergo hymenoplasty if raped. She is free to have her hymen stitched if she wants to, she said. This depends on her husbands view and his attitude toward the issue. Ali Moughnieh, a radio/TV/ film junior, also opposes hymenoplasty, but for different reasons. In his opinion, a woman must be free, like any man, to make love before marriage. Moughnieh believes that a girl should be frank with her suitor, and should tell him about her pre-marital sexual experience. Lebanese men should be more openminded, he added. All monotheistic religions prohibit premarital intercourse. Myriam Sfeir, the managing editor of Al-Raida, believes that people break religious principles when they give men the absolute freedom to engage in sex before marriage but oppose the same attitude among women. She argued that hymenoplasty may encourage young women to have premarital sex without the knowledge of their future husbands. Sabina Scifo, an Italian-Lebanese midwife, explained that hymens are not merely a sign of virginity. They are meant to protect the females sexual organ from bacteria. Patriarchal societies, however, consider the hymen solely as a sign of chastity that mustnt be broken before marriage. Not all hymens bleed, according to Scifo. The midwife explained that five different types of hymen exist. The elastic, circular hymens dont bleed when penetrated. Ali Zein, meanwhile, faces many difficulties as he researches and films his documentary. The issue, he said, is still considered a taboo. Its very difficult to find people who agree to discuss the issue in front of the camera because its a socially sensitive one, Zein explained. Despite this, we live in a society where such a phenomenon is very much present; yet its underground.

OFF CAMPUS
Le Liban Francophone
By Layan Doueik LAU Tribune staff
Tu as bien tudier pour lexamen? A young brunette lady holding a pile of books asked. Oui, a va, et toi? A young man with eyeglasses answered in a rush to get to class. This is not France. I overheard this conversation while passing through the corridor, a typical conversation between two students at Saint Joseph University in Lebanon, an Arab country. Ironically, this language has grown to be common among the offspring of the once occupied nation. It has been nearly seven decades since Frances colonization ended and Lebanon gained its sovereignty but we still witness the absorption of their language in the fertile educational soil they have left us. . Lebanese did not forget French colonization. Our ancestors perpetuate such memories as they talk about their miserable experience with the French troops and the territorial and sectarian divisions that existed and still exist in Lebanon. Nadim Mohsen, lecturer in cultural studies and philosophy at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, explained that France played on racial, religious and sectarian disparities but sectarianism was the most receptive. Chop the enemy into pieces and the control possibility becomes easier, Mohsen said. Back then, it was like a tango dance. Colonial groups opened the doors to enter, in return political-religious leaders and sectors were ready to accept. From this same womb came a number of missionary universities, established by the French colonizer: The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Sagesse University, Antonine University, Lebanese French University of Technology and Applied Sciences and finally, the most prominent one, Saint Joseph University (SJU). Saint Joseph University was established in Beirut in 1875. It was supported by the French government and was initially administered by Jesuit Fathers. Today, priests still run the university. Entering Sodeco Street in Beirut, one finds three faculties of the USJ, as well as the French embassy, noticeably situated across the university. An excessive number of security guards circulated the area. I asked about the main gate, one of them answered in French: Quelle facult? he asked, inquiring about the school I was interested in. Inside the building, the French and the Lebanese flag stood side by side in one of the administrative offices. A number of placards written in French decorated the walls while French and Arabic words echoed here and there. According to the book The Role of Two Western Universities in the National Life of Lebanon and the Middle East by Munir Antonios, the universitys mission revolves first around Catholicism, France, French culture, and adequate emphasis on academic preparation. Mohsen believes that France established missionary universities in Lebanon under the disguise of religion and education but underlying was a veiled economic interest. But nowadays, he said, those universities dont represent any kind of colonial ambition. We are living now in an era that is mostly affected by media; all countries are looking at one another, seizing to point out any flaw, Mohsen added. The Lebanese, along with the Palestinians, have one of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world. According to CIA-The World Fact Book website, the percentage of literate Lebanese males and females above 15 years old is respectively 93.1 percent and 82.2 percent. Christians had a literacy rate twice that of Muslims in the

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Tribune

dec. 12 , 2011

Beirut Book Fair

By Samia Buhulaiyem LAU Tribune staff
Photo by Samia Buhulaiyem Photo via Creative Commons

1980s according to the Ministry of Education website. Nisrine El-Mir is a working mother of three children. She completed her school years at Lyce Abd El-Kader, a French missionary school in Beirut, and earned a BA in law at Saint Joseph University. El-Mir was soon accepted at the University of Sorbonne, France, to continue her MA in Commercial Law. I am proud to have all my degrees gained from French based institutions, El-Mir said. I enrolled my children in the same school that I used to attend and planning on enrolling them in the same university I graduated from as well. Many graduates from French missionary universities migrated to Europe and got employed in the best French universities, non-profit organizations and commercial companies. These elites were a mirror image of the Lebanese people back home. Many looked at Lebanon as a special country in the Middle East, distinguished it from its Arab neighbors. Even the Arabs looked at the Lebanese as well-rounded, educated and successful. In

many books and television programs, Lebanon is portrayed as an oasis amidst the desert. I work for a company in Saudi Arabia as a human resources manager, and honestly we seek out Lebanese people for theyre known to be highly educated and experienced as well , Ashraf Mousa said. Despite the many problems that Lebanon inherited from French colonization, including a sectarian strife that ultimately led to a devastating 15-year civil war, few in Lebanon deny that the benefits of the French educational system for the country have been equally important. Many from around the Arab World study in Lebanons prestigious universities today. According to the Saint Joseph administration, the number of foreign students enrolled is 550 constituting 5.5 percent of the total scholars in this university. Yet Beirut is not the capital of Lebanon only. In a sense, it acts as a meeting point in the Middle East where educational trends of all shades and colors come face to face, Antonios added in his book.

Under the auspices of His Excellency Prime Minister Najeeb Mikati, the much-awaited 55th session of the Beirut Arab Book Fair was launched on December 2 and will continue until the 15th at the Beirut International Fair and Leisure Center (BIEL). Rooted in Lebanese and Arab cultural and intellectual heritage, the exhibit serves as a forum for the development and improvement of book printing and distribution. This session comes in the midst of a promising Arab awakening in a region that has long been dormant. While last years exhibit was dedicated to Palestine, the 55th session celebrates the revolutionary movements around the Arab world. In Lebanon, there are around 700 publishing houses, and even though those active do not exceed 200, Lebanon is still the country with the biggest number of publishers, with more than 3,000 titles a year, Samira Assi, the president of the Syndicate of Publishers Union in Lebanon, said. The syndicate helps organize book fairs and publishes a local magazine. It also founded the Union of Arab Publishers. Books at the fair target local readers, librarians and schools. It is an important opportunity for booksellers and book importers to network with their counterparts around the Arab World. The fair also provides an opportunity for book lovers to buy copies at attractive discounted prices.