As part of the Youth Solidarity Against Extremism (YSAE) project, implemented by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, YSAE actors decided to celebrate Christmas Holiday in an exceptional way.
Around 200 YSAE youths, accompanied by the core group members and the coaches in each of the 10 areas: Hermel, Ein, Ersel, Deir El Ahmar, Baalbek, Chaat, Britel, Bedneyel, and Marj, simultaneously visited families at night time on Christmas Eve wearing Santa garments, and distributed more than 500 gifts to the less-fortunate children. During their tours and visits to humble neighborhoods, participants were having short talks with households stressing on the importance of education in fighting against illiteracy, poverty, and extremism. Cheerful spirit was conquering the atmosphere, with joyful Christmas songs being played.
In an era of global terrorism and extremism, and with critics claiming that Islam and Christianity are locked in a clash of civilizations, YSAE youths showed that they are capable to reconcile their devotion to one religion with their love to another religion’s holiday. This initiative has built on the holiday joys to create new understanding of counterparts through allowing youths to experience each other’s positive aspect of peaceful celebratory periods. Many anecdotes by participants and community members, that might seem exceptional at first, revealed that nature of this initiative was the ultimate common ordinary behavior to take place.
Bassel Assaf, a core group member said, “Lebanon has always been a place for both Christians and Muslims for as far as we can remember. We live together, hand in hand for a better future to our beloved country”.
Rawan Halloum, 17 years old, participant stated, “Nothing is as precious as sharing our Christian neighbors their joy in Christmas, and having them around during our holidays and Iftar in Ramadan”.
When children grow up content and in fine fettle, and exposed to a spectrum of varieties, they have the ability to be well rounded. Perhaps one day these children would decide to pay it forward to their communities and accept and help each other. And this is how this initiative aims to serve – an approach that embraces humanitarian solidarity especially with vulnerable kids, representing for them a chance to demonstrate increased social onus. Moreover, as an exercise for Muslim youths to join their Christian counterparts in celebration of their holidays and for that to be reciprocated in Muslim Holidays.
