Monday, December 28, 2009
New Year's Eve in Lebanon
The Lebanese celebrate New Year in their own ways. Many of them purchase new garments before the New Year. The exchanging of gifts takes place among the near and dear ones. Various cards with greetings and wishes for the New Year in Arabic are available in the markets.
People decorate their houses to mark the advent of the New Year. Families gather and invited friends over. As soon as the clock strikes 12 at midnight, people wish each other a “Happy New Year” and celebrate it with lavish feasts and music. Toasts are raised in the honor of the upcoming year wishing health, wealth, joy and peace to each other. Elaborate dining and wining options along with live entertainment performances organized in various restaurants.
During the Lebanese New Year, firecrackers are burnt and one can notice amazing fireworks being displayed in various parts of the country. The Memory Hall is a popular place for the New Year celebrations decorated with numerous lights lending a magical aura and charm to the entire place. Tables and chairs laid for the guests. They can witness several interesting programs here along with dining and wining. In order to mark the New Year, various organizations of open-air shows and concerts in different parts of Lebanon.
Many people in Lebanon arrange for short excursion trips in and around the country during the time of New Year. Some of the popular places they explore include Roman ruins and ancient sites. Such tours lead one to learn and know about the cultural heritage and architectural splendor of the nation.
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Sunday, December 20, 2009
Holidays Calebrated in Lebanon
The Lebanese celebrate both the Christian and Muslim holy days, plus a couple of secular public holidays. The major Muslim holiday is Ramadan, celebrated by complete fasting from dawn until dusk for an entire month. Eid al-Fitr, a three-day festival at the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, a feast at the end of the hajj (the pilgrimage month to Mecca); the First of Muharram, the Muslim New Year; Ashura, a Shi'ite commemoration and day of mourning; and the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Two Easters are celebrated in Lebanon (both in late March or early April)—the Greek Orthodox date, and the date for the rest of the Christian population. Other Christian holidays include, St. Maroun's Day (the patron saint of Maronite Christians, February 9); the Day of the Ascension (May 15); the Feast of the Assumption (August 15); and of course, Christmas (December 25 and 26).
Three secular public holidays in Lebanon are Labor Day (May 1), Mothers Day (March 31), and Independence Day (November 22).
Due to the Lebanese style of living, people are always in contact with people from another religion. Thus, this lead to the aspect of celebrating a holiday that is for another religion. For example, some Muslims celebrate Christmas, and some Christians fast on Ramadan.
Lebanon is of the major multi-religion countries; around 19 sects are present in Lebanon. This aspect has lead to various problems, but Lebanon is managing the situation. Hence, Lebanon is a unique country.
Almost all of the given holidays in different religions, have the tradition of giving gifts. Like Christmas and Eid Al Fitr. Send a gift to Lebanon. Visit www.allbestideas.com and celebrate any holiday with the best gifts.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Story of Christmas
Joseph and Mary lived in the village of Nazareth when Rome was a great Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and King Herod governed Israel. Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin who would become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which an angel visited her and told her she is chosen to bear the Son of God; his name was to be Jesus.
One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary who was with child, and close to the birth, rode on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They traveled for many days and only rested at night.
When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to rest but there were no empty rooms when they reached the inn. As they were being turned away Joseph mentioned his wife was with child and close to birth. The inn keeper took pity on them and told them of some caves in the nearby hills that shepherds would stay with their cows and sheep.
So Joseph and Mary went up into the hills and found the caves. In one cave was a stable room. Joseph cleaned it and made beds of fresh hay. He found a feeding trough which he cleaned and filled with hay to use as a crib. The next night Mary gave birth to a son and they named him Jesus, as the angel had said.
When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepherds were tending their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The shepherds were frightened and tried to run.
"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."
After the angels departed the shepherds set out for Bethlehem. When they reached the cave they found the stable and inside was the child wrapped in swaddling clothes.
As the star shined over Bethlehem, in the east three kings would see it. They knew it was a sign and they set off to follow the star. There was Caspar - the young King of Tarsus, Melchior - a long bearded old man and leader of Arabia, and Balthazar - the king from Ethiopia. They traveled on camels for many days over the mountains, and through the deserts, and plains. Always following the bright star.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem they found the child in the manger. The 3 kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They would stay the night in the cave and the next day returned to their lands to spread the news.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Largest Tabbouleh and Hummus Dishes done in Lebanon
Lebanon has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest servings of Hummus and Tabouleh on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of October 2009. Yes, all this achievement done in one weekend.
The reason of all reasons was not only competition and wanting to be in the Guinness Book, Lebanon is already in it with the longest veil and the largest book. It was despite others who claim the Hummus and Tabouleh to be theirs; countries such as Israel have claimed that they originally invent Hummus!
Nevertheless, Lebanon insisted on reaffirming the Lebanese origins of the Hummus and its faithful companion the Tabouleh. The Lebanese community and of course the Red Cross who pretty much did not get a minute to breathe with all the chopping that wounded many fingers and nails. Therefore, we lost “things” reclaiming our right that is what every nation has to go through.
Michel Azzi hosted the event, a mountain of patriotism that man. I think they brought him in to fill up space; he seemed to ramble on just to hear his own voice, urging the crowd into a reluctant chant, stalling if you want until the cooking began. Being a curious bunch of civilians, the crowd kept coming up on stage and trying to look into the giant pot of hummus despite there being a screen that, very conveniently, displayed what was going on inside. Security had to keep getting people off the stage and working them into a sweaty fit, but I bet they ate Hummus and felt proud to be Lebanese.
The question is it now officially Lebanese? Frankly, we do not care. The important thing is that the world witnessed our effort into identifying what is ours and we did it in a civilized way proving that we, the Lebanese, can pretty much outdo many people. However, yes Hummus and Tabouleh are generally Middle Eastern.
Overall, it was an impressive stunt.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
You Have Your Lebanon
The poet, Kahlil Gibran left Lebanon in 1895 to live in Boston, USA. He was only 12 years old at the time. In his poem, “You have your Lebanon” he presents conflicting images of Lebanon:
You have your Lebanon and I have mine.
You have your Lebanon with her problems,
and I have my Lebanon with her beauty.
You have your Lebanon with all her prejudices and struggles,
and I have my Lebanon with all her dreams and securities.
Your Lebanon is a political knot, a national dilemma, a place of conflict and deception.
My Lebanon, is a place of beauty and dreams of enchanting valleys and splendid mountains.
Your Lebanon is inhabited by functionaries, officers, politicians, committees, and factions.
My Lebanon is for peasants, shepherds, young boys and girls, parents and poets.
Your Lebanon is empty and fleeting,
whereas My Lebanon will endure forever.
Kahlil Gibran 1920
Monday, October 26, 2009
Send a Gift To Lebanon
All Best Ideas
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1. Gifts: On All Best Ideas, you can find gifts that suit every person and occasion.
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3. Plants
5. Balloons
6. Hampers
7. Home Décor
8. Games and Toys
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Our service is simple. First, you visit our website, check out our products, follow up the purchasing procedure, and order the products. Of course, this procedure is online.
When we receive your order, the products are treated well for sending to the required location, with a specific fee concerning the delivery.
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Friday, October 16, 2009
Lebanon's Independence
After the fighting ended in Lebanon, General Charles de Gaulle visited the area. Under various political pressures from both inside and outside Lebanon, de Gaulle decided to recognize the independence of Lebanon. On November 26, 1941, General Georges Catroux announced that Lebanon would become independent under the authority of the Free French government. Elections were held in 1943 and on November 8, 1943 the new Lebanese government unilaterally abolished the mandate. The French reacted by throwing the new government into prison. In the face of international pressure, the French released the government officials on November 22, 1943 and accepted the independence of Lebanon. The allies kept the region under control until the end of World War Two. The last French troops withdrew in 1946.
Lebanon's history from independence has been marked by alternating periods of political stability and turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on Beirut's position as a freely trading regional center for finance and trade. Lebanon was also a major center for the production of opium in the Mideast. Beirut became a mecca for institutions of international commerce and finance, as well as wealthy tourists, and enjoyed a reputation as the "Paris of the Middle East" until the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil war.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Lebanon
-Official Name: الجمهورية اللبنانية [Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah], Republic of Lebanon Short Form: لبنان [Lubnān], Lebanon-Capital: Beirut-Location: Middle East-Government Type: Parliamentary Republic-Flag Adopted: 7 December 1943-Coat of Arms Adopted: 7 December 1943
-ISO Code: LB LBN 422-FIPS 10-4 Code: LB-MARC Code: le-IOC Code: LIB
-Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria, Middle East
-Area:
· total: 10,400 sq km
· land: 10,230 sq km
· water: 170 sq km
-Country comparison to the world: 176
-Land Boundaries: total: 454 km
-border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
-Climates: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot dry summers. Lebanon mountains heavy winter snows
-Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m
The Rivers of Lebanon:
-Rivers on the coast:
1. Nahr al Kabir al Janoubi
2. Nahr al Ostowan
3. Nahr Aarka
4. Nahr al Barid
5. Nahr Abou Ali
6. Nahr al Joauze
7. Nahr Ibrahim
8. Nahr al Kalb
9. Nahr Beirut
10. Nahr al Damour
11. Nahr al Awwali
12. Nahr al Barouk
13. Nahr al Zahrani
-Internal Rivers:
1. Nahr al Assi
2. Nahr al Hasbani
3. Nahr al litani
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