In times of national pain, music can often help the healing; and Lebanon has seen more than its fair share of conflict and trauma.
As a result, its musicians have released a monumental body of work over the last 50 years that has not only inspired generations, but has also often provided a level of truth-telling rarely demonstrated by leaders.
The country is once again in the grips of crisis after the devastating August 4 explosion, compounded by its spiraling economy,
And so the Lebanese people, again, are in the position of having to get back on their feet. And here lies the importance of its artists.
From the civil war and other multiple conflicts to the turmoil of the present, Lebanese musicians have always played a key role in encouraging resilience among the people.
Their songs for country are not your typical patriotic anthems: they are more soulful and humane.
With lyrics that appeal to high ideals, these songs point the way forward in times of uncertainty.
From legendary artists Wadih Al Safi and Fairuz to modern day singers Ragheb Alama and Assi El Hallani, here are nine stirring odes to Lebanon.
1. ‘Ma’lesih Ya Lebnan' by Wadih Al Safi
If there is single quality defining both Lebanon and its people, it is resilience. With Ma'lesh Ya Lebnan (It's Okay, Lebanon) the late, great Wadih Al Safi created a song that has acted as a balm for his homeland over the decades.
A reason for the song’s enduring power is the understated manner in which Al Safi sings the lyrics, written by Shukri Nasrallah. Al Safi’s mountainous tenor is replaced by a gruff and almost conversational style that allows the words to hit home harder.
“It’s okay, O ‘Lebanon, what's important is that you remain strong," he begins. "We may be hungry, that's okay / We may be dying, that's okay. What's important is that you live O ‘Lebanon.
2. ‘Bahebak Ya Lebnan’ by Fairuz
In the mid-1970s when Lebanon was in the midst of its bloody civil war, songstress Fairuz delivered this heart-stopping track that argued for a moment of reflection amid the carnage.
“I love you Lebanon my country,” the song opens. “They said what goes on in the land of festivals, strewn as it is with fire and dynamite? / I said our land is being reborn / The Lebanon of dignity and a people that perseveres / How could I help loving you? / Even in your madness I love you.”
3. ‘Beirut, Set El Donya’ by Majida El Roumi
The Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi turned this poem by Syrian writer Nizar Qabbani into an uplifting and orchestral ode to Lebanon.
Released in 1995, the track is as much a love letter as a note of condolence to a city that has seen too much violence over the years. "We confess now: we were not fair to you nor merciful," El Roumi sings. "We did not understand you or excuse you. We presented you a knife instead of a rose."
4. ‘Habibetna Ya Beirut’ by Ragheb Alama
Sometimes, lyrics can say so much more than standard words.
In one his first remarks after the Beirut explosion, singer Ragheb Alama simply posted lyrics from Habibetna Ya Beirut (Our Beloved, Beirut). Released in the mid-eighties, the song highlights Beirut's capacity to overcome war with its trademark energy and zeal.
The song concludes with this evocative description: "O Beirut, your soil is a bed of jasmine and silk.”
5. ‘Ghabet Shams El Haq’ by Julia Boutros
This track is seared into the memory of those who lived through the civil war. Released in 1985, the defiant lyrics take aim at the presence of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon at the time.
“The home shall remain ours,” Boutros coos over soulful strings and regional percussion. “And the laurel tree will once again bloom with pride upon your earth, oh south”
6. ‘Rajeh Yittammar’ by Zaki Nassif
Another song that's timely three decades on. In the middle of the civil war, when much of the country was destroyed, Nassif released this optimistic ode to recovery..
Translated to 'Lebanon will be rebuilt,’ Nassif cities examples of the country’s diverse landscape and its strong citizens as reasons for its survival.
"You will be rebuilt, Lebanon," goes the key refrain. "It will be more green and beautiful than it once was."
7. ‘Beirut’ by Assi El Hellani
One of the best of El Hellani's many patriotic tracks. At nearly eight minutes long, this epic track is a trip through memory lane as he recalls his city's storied history and many golden qualities.
What makes it more powerful is that he intersperses those rallying lyrics with personal snapshots of his youth in a country he calls "his greatest love.”
8. ‘Lebnan Al Dunya Koulaha’ by Sabah
From sunny city streets and gardens to its calm lakes and snow-flecked mountains, in Lebnan A Dunya Koulaha (Lebanon is the whole world), singer and actress Sabah tells us that her small homeland is home to all the earth's natural wonders: "Lebanon, my country Lebanon... a paradise"
9. Li Beirut by Fariuz
Released not long after Lebanon emerged from its civil war, this song (translated to For Beirut) remains the quintessential anthem of the city.
Like a mother tending to her wounded child, Fairuz's crystalline vocals are etched with pain and love for a city that has seen so much pain, but somehow managed to survive.
"She is made from the people’s soul, from wine,” Fairuz declares. “She is from his sweat, from bread and jasmine. So what does her taste become? A taste of fire and smoke.”
GRAN%20TURISMO
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U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Company%20Profile
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Indika
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
more from Janine di Giovanni
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
