La composición cultural, política y social de Líbano. Un aplauso para el que pueda entender este melting pot

The cultural, political and social composition of Lebanon. An applause for those who can understand this melting pot.

1 Cuando la gente te pregunta, ¿Quién es quién en Líbano? Y tú respondes esto: When people ask you: Who is who in Lebanon? And you reply this:

2 Cuando la gente te pregunta y ¿qué tipo de política es? Y tú respondes: religiosa, parlamentaria, democrática, por ahí. Pero es una política basada en el Acuerdo de Taif. When people ask you, what kind of politic is? And you reply: religious, parliamentary, democratic, over there. But it is a policy based on the Taif Agreement

The Taif Agreement also the National Reconciliation Accord or Document of National Accord was an agreement reached to provide «the basis for the ending of the civil war and the return to political normalcy in Lebanon». Negotiated in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia, it was designed to end the decades-long Lebanese Civil War, reassert Lebanese authority in Southern Lebanon (then controlled by South Lebanon Army and supported by Israeli troops).
Though the agreement set a time frame for Syrian military withdrawal, stipulating that the Syrians withdraw within two years, the actual withdrawal did not take place until 2005. It was signed on 22 October 1989 and ratified by the Lebanese parliament on 5 November 1989.

3 Cuando la gente te pregunta y ¿porque no andas con velo, te dejan vestirte así? Y tú respondes: es que hay cristianos, todavía existimos, yo soy una de ellas. When people ask you and why don’t you wear a veil, do they let you dress like this? And you answer: there are Christians, we still exist, I am one of them.

4 Cuando la gente te pregunta ¿o sea eres minoría, talibana, terrorista? Y tú respondes: coye, gracias por el piropo, pero no hijo, no. No soy minoría ni pertenezco a grupos armados. Te repito soy cristiana y existimos en Líbano. When people ask you: Are you a minority, a Taliban, a terrorist? And you answer: Wow, thanks for the compliment, but no, no. I am not a minority nor do I belong to armed groups. I repeat, I am Christian and we exist in Lebanon.

Cuando la gente no logra entender la composición política: Y tú respondes: Tranquilo, ellos tampoco. Ellos saben que son 18 grupos religiosos y cada grupo lidera un partido político que a su vez está representado en el Gobierno y en el Parlamento. When people fail to understand the political composition: And you answer: Don’t worry, neither do they. They know that there are 18 religious groups and each group leads a political party that is also represented in the Government and in Parliament.

6 Cuando te vuelve a preguntar: ¿Me puedes dar una explicación sencilla? Y tú dices: No. Pero te puedo dar un dato por si juegas algún día Quién quiere ser millonario. Cuando te preguntan por 100.000 millones ¿Quién preside el País de los Cedros? Tú respondes: El presidente del país debe ser un Cristiano Maronita, el primer ministro debe ser un Musulmán Suní y el presidente del Parlamento debe ser un Musulmán Chií. Por último, cuando empieza a sentir que le duele la cabeza o que se está volviendo loco o ignorante porque no logra entender, se excusa, me mira raro, se retira y deja de preguntar.

Este es Líbano querido.

When he asks you again: Can you give me a simple explanation? And you say: No. But I can give you an important information in case you play one day Who wants to be a millionaire. When they ask you for 100,000 million, who presides over the Country of Cedars? You answer: The country’s president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim and the president of Parliament must be a Shiite Muslim. Finally, when he feels a headache o he is getting crazy or ignorant because he is not able to understand such composition, he excuses himself, he looks at me weirdly, and he retires and stop asking.

This is my Lebanon Dear.