Open letter from Fr Salim Nammour

[Abou Jamra]

أهلنا في عالم الإنتشار

لقد قال أحدهم يوماً: تهون الأرض إلاّ موضعاً

القول هذا فيه الكثير من الإلتزام تجاه مسقط رأس كلٍ منّا. القول هذا يُرغمنا على الإرتباط بأرضنا , ويُحرّمنا ما يحصل اليوم في بلدتنا العزيزة من تأجيرٍ وبيعٍ لأرض الأجداد , في وقتٍ لا تلحّ الحاجة عليكم بهذا مطلقاً

والسؤال المطروح على كلٍ منكم: لمن بنيتم البيوت وإستصلحتم الأرض طوال هذا الزمن؟ وإذا كانت ظروف البلد القاسية قد إضطرتكم إلى الهجرة, فلا يكون العذر في تأجيرها إلى الغرباء.

لمن بنيتم الكنائس؟
لمن بنيتم المؤسسات, المستوصف, بيت الشباب؟ لمن تؤسسون والقسم الأخير يبيع أرضه دون إستشارة أحد, "أقّله الدير" أو لجنة الوقف أو البلدية.
كلّنا يريد أن تبقى سهول الجية خضراء, ولكن خضراء بهويتها, خضراء بفضل سواعد أهلها, خضراء تُروى بعرق جبينهم.

يا أهلنا, تعرفون ونعرف أن الجغرافيا ربما هي الثابت الوحيد, فالتاريخ قابل للرويات, والتغيرات وعمليات التشويه, والتجميل. إمّا الجغرافيا فصريحة وقاسية ولا تتسع لإجتهادات كثيرة.
لأجل كل هذا , لا يمكن أن نتجاهل قدرنا الجغرافي بسب البعد عن القرية , أو النسيان, أو اللامبالات.

أتمنّى عليكم أن تدعموا جهود الجمعية في أوستراليا ولجان الوقف "سيدة النجمة" و " مار جرجس".
أتمنى عليكم أن يبقى التواصل قائماً بيننا وبينكم لخير رعيتنا وقريتنا ووطننا.


الأب سليم نمّور
رئيس دير ومدرسة مار شربل
الجية

[Abou Jamra]

Our people in the diaspora

Some body once said " تهون الأرض إلاّ موضعاً " which forces us to be attached to our land; this saying puts each and everyone of us in front of a responsibility to his motherland. And shall (the saying) make us refrain to sell or offer to rent the land of our grandfathers, at a time when there is no need to be doing so.


The question asked is for whom were these houses built? Even if our country is passing through dire times, selling our lands and renting it to strangers is never an excuse.

For whom did you build the churches? The institutions? The medical centre? The youth centre? For whom are you laying the foundations? When the majority are selling without consulting the Monastery, the Church councils, the village council…


We all want the jieh pastures to remain green, but green in its identity, green and drinking with the sweat of its inhabitants.

Friends, you know and we know that history can change, but what remains constant is geography, and you know, and we know that geography might be the ONLY thing that remains. For geography is honest and brutal and this land, cannot support alterations, surgeries, scars, and forgetfulness. We can never ignore our geographical destiny. We should never be nonchalant (about it)

I ask you all to throw your weight behind and support the AJCC, both church councils “Lady of the morning star” as well as “St. George”


I hope that we will strengthen our ties and our communication, for the good of our church, our village, and our country.

Father Salim Nammour

[Abou Jamra]

over discussing national politics... lets give it a few days rest untill the ministries are decided or untill we decide to re-occupy DT again.

But this issue here (land sales and leases) is one that must be addressed and little has been done to help promote this cause raised by Father Salim Namour.

[Abou Jamra]

I hear from time to time people mentioning how flen ou flen sold their property in Jieh to some unknown or non-christian because they needed the money, or the inherited the land and didn't know what to do with it.

The current generation are mostly young imports or born in Australia, and i'd like to think give a crap about their homeland and roots. The point i'm trying to make is that judging from this forum and the people i know, we're an educated bunch who are quite passionate about Lebanon and Jieh and would like to pass on a bit of it to our own kids. When you hear the older generation talking about sale of property whether it be their own or someone elses, i'd like the fellow jieh people to be made available the details of sale to the younger bunch. This gives this generation the opportunity to own a part of their heritage.

Get people interested. Send out letters with the details.

Just quickly, i'm aware that many just think it's too hard and can't be bothered with the paperwork, but it's not complicated, you just need the proper contacts. Yes, i have purchased a property in Lebanon before. It's the best feeling knowing that you are tied to such a unique, gorgeous country.

Please respond with your thoughts, i want to know if anyone else thinks this is important. Trying to preserve a community spirit long after our older generation is gone is a tribute.

Kind regards

lots of brilliant ideas have been posted on this forum pity nobody follows up on them.

[jieh2008]

this is a very good idea but it is not practical due to our municipality president. please ask him why he is sending the baladieh or makhfar police every time someone wants to build or renovate, although they have the permit and all the paper work needed, while in some parts of lebanon they build and build on land that they don't even own, without any permits or deeds or anything . why do you think some of us visit jieh like tourists during the major eids or during the elections? why do we prefer to stay in beirut or in other parts of lebanon, or in Australia? we are seeing what happened to those who went through the heartache, and you know why? because our municipality president thinks that they did not vote for him… well, regrettably i did. he should give every one from jieh a free pass to do whatever they want on their land. this is the least he can do for us for fleeing our homes and becoming refugees, because of what we went through, the suffering and the killing of our love ones.

[Abou Jamra]

this is a very good idea but it is not practical due to our municipality president. please ask him why he is sending the baladieh or makhfar police every time someone wants to build or renovate, although they have the permit and all the paper work needed, while in some parts of lebanon they build and build on land that they don't even own, without any permits or deeds or anything . why do you think some of us visit jieh like tourists during the major eids or during the elections? why do we prefer to stay in beirut or in other parts of lebanon, or in Australia? we are seeing what happened to those who went through the heartache, and you know why? because our municipality president thinks that they did not vote for him… well, regrettably i did. he should give every one from jieh a free pass to do whatever they want on their land. this is the least he can do for us for fleeing our homes and becoming refugees, because of what we went through, the suffering and the killing of our love ones.

Raise your concern at the next town meeting mate. Send a petition to the council or an open letter to Dr George Nader Azzi. I personally dont encourage "fawda" which is what you are requesting... although i see your point.

[Prince Cadmus II]

This seems to be a battle between justice and anarchy.

Do you wish Jieh to turn into the Southern Suburbs?

[jieh2008]

no need for "fawda" or the southern suburbs. you have to 'clean house' if you want to get anywhere. that is, if you really are sincere about the call back to jieh. the truth hurts... it hurt me. when you see someone you care for and respect allow himself to be bought and accept bribes and make it known how much is going to cost you to do this or that. this is our hometown. at least out of respect to our ancestors let us keep the political corruption out of it.

[Prince Cadmus II]

Do you accuse the mayor of taking bribes?

Do you have any proof of this?

[Abou Jamra]

no need for "fawda" or the southern suburbs. you have to 'clean house' if you want to get anywhere. that is, if you really are sincere about the call back to jieh. the truth hurts... it hurt me. when you see someone you care for and respect allow himself to be bought and accept bribes and make it known how much is going to cost you to do this or that. this is our hometown. at least out of respect to our ancestors let us keep the political corruption out of it.

I beleive it is unfair to be throwing these sort of accusations. All services come at a price in lebanon regardless whether its our hometown or not.

It's our hometown.. true and if people cared so much for it i would like to ask what percentage of those people are paying the annual council rate.

If people dissaprove of the way Dr george nader azzi is running the council then they can show their dissatisfaction in the ballot box next year. I once was one of them, but i spent a considerable amount of time in Jieh last year and i saw how the Council is administered. Considering the circumstances and the village demographics i belive Dr George Nader Azzi is doing a fine job. And quite honestly i see no better alternative at present.

Will anybody be running against Dr George Nader in the next elections?

[jieh2008]

that's absolutely true. there is no need for these accusations. it is unfair, and I'll recall everything i wrote previously (in spite of the truth and the facts). on the other hand, if we are going to build our town and allow it to be more attractive to the original inhabitants, we must facilitate the ability for them to build where they are entitled, and we must have better representation. this president might be doing fine job for some, but he is ignoring the others. as for who is going to run to replace him, i'll name few good men ( mekhael ****, john***, nassif*****, mounir*****, fayez***, victor***, francois***,) and few more, but their arms need to be twisted. look, anyone is better than our current politician.

[Abou Jamra]

that's absolutely true. there is no need for these accusations. it is unfair, and I'll recall everything i wrote previously (in spite of the truth and the facts). on the other hand, if we are going to build our town and allow it to be more attractive to the original inhabitants, we must facilitate the ability for them to build where they are entitled, and we must have better representation. this president might be doing fine job for some, but he is ignoring the others. as for who is going to run to replace him, i'll name few good men ( mekhael ****, john***, nassif*****, mounir*****, fayez***, victor***, francois***,) and few more, but their arms need to be twisted. look, anyone is better than our current politician.

Mekhael Fraha Azzi: Don Vito. Wealthy banker and land owner, too busy at Bloom Bank, by the time he has retired he will be too old to head the council. Better serving out his days playing cards at Jamil’s. Mekhael no but his son Yes. Which son? Definitely not the LFer.

Would Abou Jamra vote for him? Depends on his program and vision for Jieh. How can he benefit me and the village? My dad might vote for him because he is from beit chahine my mum might also vote for him because his wife (mekhael that is) is from beit mkhaiber. Add to that his house is not far from mine. Al zefet bado yousal lal rkeb.



John Emile Azzi: Too busy running his schools and there could be a conflict of interest as he has expressed interest in opening a nursing home in Jieh. Well qualified but not a serious contender and doesn’t have the financial power to counter the Mekhael Farha or George Nader empire. Mums uncles son.

Dr Nassif Azzi: Over qualified better suited as government minister. He is the King maker and he has no interest in been king. Could be an obstacle to Mekhael Farha if Mekhael were to contest.


Mounir Boustani: Azzi’s will not vote for a Boustani, simple as that.

[b]Fayez Azzi:[/b] Are you serious? No chance. Send him to Jadra.

Victor Azzi: Serious contender. However his fear is failure, therefore he will never contest. Too controversial and no relations with Nabe Younis.

Francois Azzi: Will win if he contests. He is the people’s candidate. But convincing him to run is near impossible.

[Prince Cadmus II]

My experience with municipalities is they are tough talkers and its not easy to run things by unchecked. I suppose its the same over there, however I have no experience at all in lebanese municipalities but I'm definite it is no different.

I think municipalities cop the most swear words out of any of the political circles and it's because all the problems are real, every day day to day issues where there is contact between voter and councillor.

It's easy for people to "dismiss" the leaders or trump them as useless, but.... the key battle is to find an adequate or better replacement. Reminds me of government talk, its so easy to destroy, to annihilate, or to bring down.... but I rarely see these same fighters looking forward and following through in the aftermath because they spend too much emphasis on the destroying part.

[haroun]

I don't think any of the people you mentioned is too old to run for that position, and none of them is older than your DER GENERAL who thinks he's running the world not just a municipalty.

In 2005 I ran for that position on this forum and got only one vote - my own. I don't think I am going to rtry. Seriously, I don't see any challenger for the Doc, he and that position are made for each other. Any new comer won't gain anything except more enemies.

If the Doc won't run next time, here are my preferences:
Fayez
AJ after he denouces Aoun and the aounieh movement.
Victor
Dr. John
Mounir

[jieh2008]

post edited, see next post.