Dear Tony,

Allow me to start this email by first apologizing for disappearing for sometime, I honestly don't know what to say but that I am sorry. Although I am not sure what I would have had to say if I called you during the events that escalated in Lebanon. Would it be sorry we have our hands stained in the blood of those who lost loved ones or lost property or went through the devastation of seeing a country so beautiful turn back time? Would it be my condolences and sympathy? Would it be cheering the strength and greatness the people of Lebanon have shown? I honestly don't know, but it is sure a mix of all of this together.

It is hard to have seen all this unfold, and harder more since I can relate to names of places, and people in Lebanon. I always imagined that the sadness I usual feel was extensive, but now when I look back at how events happened in Iraq and my reaction then, with what it is now, I realize that it is so much different. Let alone the difference in magnitude of the competition, but it is the notion that you have a personal feel for these places and people.

I guess some of the activities that I have done lately have helped release some of the helplessness, but never the sadness. Maybe entertaining the Lebanese flag in my car and in any protest or public event helps show where I stand, but what does that really help those who lost lives and property. The one thing that I am sure has happened is the increase in my pity on the people of this land for the state they are in, and their acceptance to this pathetic state. Has all hope been lost that this might change. These events may have marked the death of nations. Nations definitely other than Lebanon, which I am sure will come back stronger and prettier. However, it is the death of us, arab nationalism and possibly any hope that tomorrow will be better.

I ask myself, although I know the answer up front, isn't the notion of lack of safety in your own home and town what terror is really about. How can the world have turned to such an evil place, when we are talking about the evolving of a civilization as we know it now? Civilized, well I am having my doubts about that.

On a more positive note I think that the Lebanese have yet again impressed. The strength rooted deep within the people of Lebanon is unmatched in any Middle Eastern country outside Lebanon and Palestine. This is contrary to the notion most people have about the Lebanese, but I think I have seen them on my visit and certainly seen them on TV and in Cairo and how these people can really handle all of this with strength. Let alone the feeling we have all shared towards the resistance movement and leadership in Lebanon. It has certainly dwarfed all the "leaders", or so they call them, in the Arab world. It also makes you feel how soft we are as people, and how if Egypt goes through a fraction of this experience it will collapse from within in no time. I raise my hat to those people who have left Lebanon feel proud and steadfast against this Tsunami of Terror. I raise my head, although with shyness, and claim that I personally relate to these people.

I had sent friends and acquaintance an idea to write their thoughts to the children of Lebanon and Palestine. I will end my email with a quote I wrote on one of these sheets with the feelings I had at the moment. The quote is in Arabic and it is

اللسان يعجز عن الكلمات، والقلب يفيض بالاحزان
وما بيدى الا ان ابعث اليكم بالدعوات ان يزول عنكم البلاء وان يزول عنا العجز
ونقول سوبا
ً "ستعود ياقدس وستعود ياهوى لبنان"

Yours Truly
Nayer


Although this email was directed initially to one Lebanese friend, I think I send it to all of those whom I know from Lebanon.