March 14 Youths Urge Suspension of Classes Thursday in Protest against Antonine University Incident
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
March 14 youth organizations strongly condemned on Wednesday the Antonine Fathers University incident in which students performed Muslim prayers against the wishes of the university administration that did not comply with their request to dedicate a prayer room for their needs.
The organizations called on all secondary schools, universities, and academic institutions to suspend classes on Thursday between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. in protest against Tuesday’s incident.
They questioned in a statement: “Some students’ insistence to perform their religious duties at a university that is known to adhere to the Maronite church, which is therefore a violation of the university’s rules and regulations.”
They therefore urged all sides to respect the rules of all universities and academic institutions in Lebanon because they all share internal regulations that respect the needs of their students.
Furthermore, the March 14 youth organizations added: “We reject the approach of some political sides, which cannot be farther away from the values of all religions, whereby they forcefully seek to impose their views on others, whether at schools or any workplace, believing that they are above the law.”
The Antonine Fathers University, Baabda branch, had issued a statement on Tuesday explaining that some students had requested from the administration that a prayer room be provided to Muslim students.
“The administration did not respond to their request due to the university’s religious nature, prompting 37 students to violate this matter and perform prayers in the university’s internal campus in an act of provocation,” it noted.
“The university administration adheres to the rules of the Maronite Antonine Order, which prohibits the establishment of any prayer room that does not belong to its sect,” it added.
The university refuses to compromise over this issue, warning against any act of provocation and calling on its students, regardless of their sect, to respect its rules and regulations.
“The university’s identity is clear in that it is private, Christian, Catholic, Maronite, and Antonine institution that welcomes all students, regardless of their social or sectarian affiliations, but it also refuses to compromise its own identity and history,” it stressed.
The university statement adamantly rejected any political activity within its campus, saying that the administration alone will tackle any violation committed by the students, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.
21 March 2012, 18:39
38
This is ridiculous, religion can't always be shoved down everyones throats. A prayer room? Really? Can't we keep our religion to ourselves in our home or place of worship, regardless of what your religion may be. M14 student to strike?? Why is m14 involved? Thisis stupid.
21 March 2012, 18:43
58
March14 students are involved because the Kataeb and the Lebanese forces won't just stand around and do nothing. Good on them.
22 March 2012, 03:59
32
mr. minlibnan. in islam there are 5 obligatory prayers you need to do each day in specified times. You cannot skip them without an excuse. The ridiculous part is the university. give them the prayer room and it ll be over. No one is jeapordizing the christian nature of the univrsity as clearly most of students are christians. Nobody is forcing anybody's religion on other people.
22 March 2012, 12:53
01
sorry mohammad, u dont make sense.
it is a christian university... imagine there was 37 lebanese students in a a german school that holds 10000+ students, and we demand that lebanese history is taught?...does that make sense to u?
22 March 2012, 13:26
10
bad analogy new_guy, religion is far bigger, people kill and die over it. You keep bringing up the same argument, over and over again, can you drop it now ?
You only need one person to change history.
22 March 2012, 14:02
01
Are Christians allowed to Pray in an Islamic School?
and thats part of why the Antonine University would like to preserve its identity.
22 March 2012, 14:23
02
Let them pray in their own houses or mosques why in a Christian university! If Islam is such a tolerant religion why not have churches in KSA and let the Christians their pray in their own house of God? And if they are so religious why come to learn in a Christian university? My dear Mohammad everything is a matter of give and take, Pope Jean Paul II helped building a Mosque In Rome, did the Muslims let us build a church in KSA? So it’s simple be tolerant and you will be treated with tolerance be fanatic and you shall not expect any tolerance
22 March 2012, 13:48
10
mr rudes, if u want to go to a muslim school and pray no one will stop you. Nobody is forcing you to watch muslims pray. if you give them the room, you will not see any muslim praying and your problem is solved. Praying to God is not ridiculous.
mr. new guy, ur comparing teaching to prayer which is not logical. In islam, you HAVE to pray, no matter who says that you cant. God orders muslims to pray so they must.its not a course you can add or drop. if you dont want to see muslims praying in front of you, give them the room and its over.
22 March 2012, 13:49
10
look u say that u and other ppl are saying we dont want to come to christian university to see muslims praying, then lets take it to a bigger scale? why do you come to beirut everyday even though its mostly muslims? do muslims insult, scream, deamean you or what? nothing of that thing happens, so just like we respect christians in mostly muslim areas, you should do the same. They are: 1. doing no harm 2.not forcing anyone to convert 3. doing an obligatory duty for God. Respect muslims like you wish christians to be respected by muslims.
21 March 2012, 18:43
01
wondering if they were sunni or shia? is this why none of the march 14 or the march 8 christians have commented yet? both sides worried they may insult their own allies?
21 March 2012, 18:46
94
Aoun has done enough damage to the Christians by legitimising Hezbollah into the government. This is standard Muslim and Islamic militant religious ideology. This is the way Muslims think and operate in their heads - in a sly/ militant way just as their Quran teaches them.
21 March 2012, 19:58
78
You're so wrong if not clueless about what Islam preaches. Those 37 students are all exclusively Hezbollah members who seek nothing else than creating troubles. I read about this elsewhere yesterday, I was wondering if naharnet was going to relay the information. Those students knew the rules and agreed to the follow them the day they registered. It's totally disrespectful of the others. As usual, the typical hezbollahi sans-gêne who does whatever it pleases whenevers it pleases because nobody can put them back in their place. For once, the aounist students in the university condemned this reckless behaviour. Disarm the bastards now!
21 March 2012, 21:03
72
Benzona, have you read the quran? If so, i have some interesting quotes from there i would like to share with you. How can you defend islam if your a maronite?
22 March 2012, 01:41
23
Maroungeorges. Benzona is not a Maronite, he is Sunni. Nevertheless, religion and sects should be left to the home and places of worship. This is a private Maronite university, if they want to pray, surly these is a mosque not more than a km away.
22 March 2012, 02:17
71
Ado.australia come again? Sunni? Are you sure? He doesnt seem like one at all. I think he is maronite, an ignorant one sure, but still a maronite. I think its rude when we label fellow marounites as sunnis or chiites. We should always be united against the muslims even if we otherwise disagree.
22 March 2012, 03:44
24
Maroungeorges I´m sad to hear that there are people like you in my country. Stand together against the muslims?
If it were not for the muslims there would not have been any christian left in the middle east long time ago.
Christian muslim fights are a european colonialist invention.
Historically, the christians are good at killing each other AND others ( muslims didnt kill 6 million jews and 2 million gipsies for example).
22 March 2012, 04:05
20
I am not a hezbollah supporter, but again when it comes to praying,you don't need the university rules to pray. God ordered Muslims to pray 5 times and so when prayer time comes we must pray almost anywhere it's possible. If ppl are annoyed by the sight of Muslims praying, then give them the room and it ll be over. I am an AUB alumni and even THAT secular university had a prayer room.
22 March 2012, 04:09
12
Ulpianus: you're so damn right. If you want to go even farther in time it is the European Crusaders ( Xians) who sacked Byzance and manslaughtered all the Xians in the middle east. Que tonto eres el maroungeorge. People like you are the very shame of Christendom. You're se disrespectful towards your fellow Lebanese citizens. Most people are against the hezbollahi weapons,not against the Shia. If you do think otherwise, then you are racist. People like you, in the western world get in troubles for holding such speeches. Don't think the Xians are alone in Lebanon, there are 17 sects in our country, and it should make you proud, yet you bring shame onto us. Well done!
22 March 2012, 14:27
00
if your a bit more patient you would have seen that those 37 students (who are Shiaa but not Hizbullah members)were put in place by the Antonine administration and they signed a document stating they will abide by the university rules.
21 March 2012, 20:23
33
FlimflamThrower proving once again that he's an undercover Persian Propagandist, not an Aounist
21 March 2012, 20:54
56
Wake up FT, the school must adapt to the students???. Where do you come from? What's this twisted narrow mind of yours? Only laïcity can answer those issues. No more crosses in school, nor hijabs but then those very good Christian schools would loose their identity. Is this what you wish for? Why didnt the Hezbollah student pray outside the walls? Couldn't they walk 20 meters? It's pure provocation, it's actually za3rané. Nothing new from that pro-Iranian gang of thugs. They should go study in Teheran Where they belong (for now).
22 March 2012, 09:23
12
Spoken like a true politically correct gutless wonder. Religion is private and should be kept in our heart and practiced in everyday life but it does not give license to any muslim to attend a Christian school and insist on having muslim prayers down everyone's throat. Muslims would never allow Christians to pray openly if the situation was reversed. You are so biased your opinion is garbage.
22 March 2012, 14:25
10
what does Aoun and Hizballah have to do with that? both parties condemend these actions
22 March 2012, 15:53
10
have you read the Quran man? I dont know what the bible says nor have i read it but if its something i dont know about, i dont speak about it. Why does the Quran says that people should treat people from other religions with care and kindness and help them as long as they didn't attack your homes? Even polytheists who have not harmed muslims should not be killed and muslims are to respect their deals with them. Don't just read off the internet stuff and come to discuss with it. You are better than that.
21 March 2012, 19:00
56
hizbushaitan students knew when they joined this university that it was not of their faith, thus they should abide by its rules, otherwise they can go to their universities.
22 March 2012, 09:26
12
Go attend university in Tehran and tell them you want a chapel on the university grounds to pray in. What a piece of work you are :(
22 March 2012, 12:57
11
u are a little slow after all FT... they are only 37.. hardly anything to cry over.
22 March 2012, 13:22
11
What is it with you and this word hizbushaitan, you always use it.
I think you have a severe case of paranoia. Go see a mental specialist, pal.
22 March 2012, 17:49
00
when they chose the name they did not have the right to choose this one, especially it means that if you are not with them then you are with the devil: do you realize that now?
no, i do not accept their name as they are nt the party of God rather they are the party of the devil.
21 March 2012, 19:27
03
Its the schools policy. I dont see anything wrong with it. Go to another school and pray there if you want.
Idiots making an issue about a non issue.
I wish that all schools would be secular and would not allow any form of religious worship in the school
21 March 2012, 20:03
04
Is this a joke ? This is a CHRISTIAN university, operated by a team of PRIEST, financed by the Church. The mission of this university is to share knowledge and Christian values. Any student who want to go to Antonine University has no other choice of respecting the rules imposed by the administration. This is not for negotiation
21 March 2012, 21:05
02
I'm trying to imagine christian students going to a muslim school and requesting that they add a prayer room for them. The students would probably have been kicked out of school right away for "blasphemous behavior". By going to a school such as the Antonine, the students know very well the history, the culture and the settings of the school and as a result, they shouldn't be surprised if their muslim needs aren't being accomodated. It's like going to the pepsi factory and asking them to bring you a coke or going to the BMW factory and asking them to give you a replacement piece for your Mercedes. It just doesn't work and trying to force it into working will only make things worst.
The muslim students have the right to pray if they so wish but if they elect to do that, they really should pick a muslim school or at the very least a "neutral" school that isn't well known to follow the christian faith.
22 March 2012, 15:02
00
this is not true.
Every civilized country is open to other religions, and every civilized clerics, will respect other religions even in their "schools".
It´s crap if "muslim" universities does not let christians have a prayer room ( putting up pictures is totally something different). Its the same if muslims want a praying room. It would not hurt anyone. Just an ordinary room, called prayer room open for everyone from all faiths to go in and pray and of course, seperated from the "maronite" praying room(s) so that nobody imposed his/her religion on them.
21 March 2012, 21:45
44
Too much hate I agree. They requested a room and it was not granted. So what is the problem? Why M14 are making a big deal out of it. Was there another issue, like Hizballah firing a missile at the school or they threatened someone?
21 March 2012, 21:58
15
El problema es que they asked for something that was denied. Being what they are ya3ne lawless thugs they didn't accept it and acted like they own the place. They should be expelled. They are no Less introducing a sectarian strife in the educational system. Basically, they are taking their war one us to the next level. Not only this is pure provocation but it's as dumb as they are. I disagree with the M14 strike planned for tomorrow, they should move on but those 37 trouble makers should get expelled, at at the very least get a serious warning not to repeat their action.
22 March 2012, 14:33
00
and they did get the warning and they signed a pledge. I agree with the last part of your comment (finally ;)
21 March 2012, 22:00
01
I dont see why they have to pray in the grounds of the university - they can go off campus, maybe even a nearby mosque to pray. This is a Maronite catholic private university, will they next object to a crusafix hanging in the lecture hall?
I agree - I think this is just provocation, and it's a pity really that political parties will spread this sectarian hate into universities by encouraging this kind of behaviour.
I think it's extreme to expel the students, however, they should be reprimanded.
21 March 2012, 23:02
26
Hey brother, the rich Sunni enrolled in Christian colleges do respect local authority and rules. That's one major difference! There's nothing wrong in having Shias in The USJ or the Antonins, this demonstrates they want to elevate themselves intellectually and socially. But what they did by challenging the final decision made by the registrar is retrograde, hence in contradiction of what they are currently undertaking. Perhaps, this selection of students proved they don't belong to their college. Stop talking about Christians, Jews, Muslims.That's called segregation and we're in 2012. Abide by the local rules or leave. If they aren't happy about it, they should take it to the parliament / lawmakers. Lebanon is a fragile country and with the Hizzies are doing is dangerous.Perhaps it's what Assad and Khamenei planned for us, but they won't succeed.As stated above, the M14 students shouldn't go on strike tomorrow,They should move on and let the Dean (clerics?) deal with this issue.
22 March 2012, 03:51
42
We are fragile because everyone is so overprotective about their religion. Giving them a prayer room, would have stated an extraordinary example for all Lebanese. " We dont care about your religion, as long as you are a good citizen", would be better than "we dont want your religious shit at our university" and hence, creating at least two camps.
22 March 2012, 09:35
12
@ulpianus setting an example is a good thing but this is the wrong venue and you are missing the point. These student didn't do this to honor their religion, they did it to disruppt, instigate, and inflame, then turn around and accuse everyone who didn't side with them of being racist. This is a dangerous trap and Christians should not fall in it or these thugs would achieve what they set out to do which is breed hatred.
21 March 2012, 23:42
52
A prayer room accommodation is not a big deal, in fact, I will argue that it is fanatical to not allow a prayer space for a minority student group. As fanatical as hezbollah. And I am saying this as a Sunni Lebanese. Allah, 7ariri, Tari2 jdide.
22 March 2012, 09:39
01
Then you don't understand the teachings of any religion and clergy regardless of which one we are talking about. One religion is not going to advocate another religion, instead it is going to teach and promote it's own, period, end of story. You are all falling in the trap that was set up by these thugs.
22 March 2012, 15:07
00
Bandol and keserweneh.
I think we agree on many things, specially on the imposing on others issue. Maybe their way of behaving was not right, we dont know cause we are not at the university.
But if they asked the clerics, to organize an empty room for them, for everybody that wants to go in and pray, it would have been of HUGE importance if the clerics accepted this. It will show how educated, peaceful and civilized they are.
22 March 2012, 14:34
00
u can't go to a place and force ur host to adopt ur point of view, it's simple politness
23 March 2012, 00:23
00
No, but you can ask ur host to please arrange a place for you where you dont disturb anyobody.
23 March 2012, 00:23
00
No, but you can ask ur host to please arrange a place for you where you dont disturb anyobody.
23 March 2012, 00:23
00
No, but you can ask ur host to please arrange a place for you where you dont disturb anyobody.
23 March 2012, 00:23
00
No, but you can ask ur host to please arrange a place for you where you dont disturb anyobody.
23 March 2012, 00:23
00
No, but you can ask ur host to please arrange a place for you where you dont disturb anyobody.
22 March 2012, 00:08
11
I full y agree with Minlibnan, it's about time we learn to keep religion to ourselves, a private matter that should'nt even be discussed, showed off, what an attitude! Stupid and retrograde
22 March 2012, 02:37
30
Time to take it all back it belonged to us to begin with before the invaders occupied it, لبيك يا نصرالله .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xZ1K2wo9JxE#t=30s
22 March 2012, 12:01
00
So you agree with the Israelis, Palestine is their promised land. If you do, then Lebanon is all yours.
22 March 2012, 13:39
00
Agreeing the Jews promised land is Palestine isn't a purely Israeli belief, but one that is well supported and documented by the Christian bible. Part of the reason why Israel enjoys popular support by the American government, is because of certain right wing, christian lunatic, influential members. These people were most likely involved in orchestrating the Jews rise to power in Palestine, to make biblical prophecy come true.
22 March 2012, 15:08
00
Actually the israeli land things goes against judaism. Just google it:-)
22 March 2012, 15:38
00
Take what back? The shias came themselves from Egypt after Saladin forced the Egyptians to be sunnis ( simplified).
As for many shias from the south also have palestinian papers ( read about the seven villages in palestine).
Anyway, lets say that you are more Lebanese than the maronites, before the war you could hardly find any shia above Sur, or baalback. So take those areas back and spare us from you idiotic comments.
22 March 2012, 03:47
53
I have been to many european SECULAR universities, where they allow muslims and other religious minorities to have prayer rooms. That is part of being civilized.
Personally I dont care about these things, but, giving them a room would have shown a kind of "highness" and tolerance in behaviour from the maronites. Kind of like the difference between a "gentleman" and a "thug".
Seems in Lebanon we will always choose the way of the thug, no matter of sect....
22 March 2012, 09:41
23
No, this is part of being politically correct to the point of insanity...No muslim country whil make the same allowances for Christians that perdominately Christian countries are making for Muslims. This is fact. Talk to any Christian in Egypt, Saudi, Iran, etc and see what you learn.
22 March 2012, 15:17
00
Are you sure? If you know history more than 20 years back you would not ssay what you are saying. Plus, if you know what is happening now in european countries, you will not say what you are saying.
Christian countries? Pick and choos: Russia( killing muslims, chechens), Serbia ( dont have to mention), Switzerland ( forbidding minarets) Hungaria ( new constitution only "allowing" one religion)
While in the countries you mentioned there have been christians through all time, except after colonialisation and after new dictatorship, that was actually helped to come to power by west ( Iranian revolution, wahabits in saudi, saddam hussein in Iraq etc etc).
My christian brother, dont fall into this trap.
...and yes, I forgot as christians are always good to victimez themselves: Ask any Sunni in Iran how he lives, any shia in saudi, and any (now) sunni in Irak. We can even take it as far as asking any sunni in Beirut if he feels safe ( wa2t el jad) nowadays ( remembering 2008).
22 March 2012, 15:17
00
Are you sure? If you know history more than 20 years back you would not ssay what you are saying. Plus, if you know what is happening now in european countries, you will not say what you are saying.
Christian countries? Pick and choos: Russia( killing muslims, chechens), Serbia ( dont have to mention), Switzerland ( forbidding minarets) Hungaria ( new constitution only "allowing" one religion)
While in the countries you mentioned there have been christians through all time, except after colonialisation and after new dictatorship, that was actually helped to come to power by west ( Iranian revolution, wahabits in saudi, saddam hussein in Iraq etc etc).
My christian brother, dont fall into this trap.
...and yes, I forgot as christians are always good to victimez themselves: Ask any Sunni in Iran how he lives, any shia in saudi, and any (now) sunni in Irak. We can even take it as far as asking any sunni in Beirut if he feels safe ( wa2t el jad) nowadays ( remembering 2008).
22 March 2012, 05:00
12
Clearly above comments come from less 22 aged newborns... It is provocative indeed for the sake of provoking. They are playing it to the last drop of time that Syrian provoked has... Que sera if prayer rooms were to be accounted for in every new or existing architecture, I am guessing similar to the nonchalant populations of the surrounding Arab gulf and non gulf countries not contributing to anything worthy to human civilization
22 March 2012, 05:38
12
coming from a person who has a burning flag as a profile pic. Hypocrite get a life!
22 March 2012, 09:08
03
What the hell is all the fuss about tell a Christian to ask for a prayer room in the south
22 March 2012, 09:50
03
This is a Christian religious university that has the right not to tolerate other religious practices within its premises. Muslim universities in Lebanon have the right to do the same. I do not understand why practising Muslim religious students join a Christian religious university and vice verca. Islamicly, Omar, the third Muslim Caliph, refused to pray in Jerusalem's resurection Church with view to respect and protect Christian rights. I think we can all learn from this.
22 March 2012, 10:08
11
To correct a typo, Omar is the second Muslim Caliph not the third. The story about his tolerant and exemplary behaviour when he conquered Jerusalem is a very well known story in Muslim tradition.
22 March 2012, 10:21
01
i went to university of arizona for my education, and main thing common in the sates universities in inside the campus you are under a the law of education, not relegion, and insid ethat camput you are free to do as a humanbeing never less what is you relegion, color , gender or race.but in lebanon i beleive its a sick bastard world to live in.
ps chef always ay quote: children there is a place and time wher you learn and try all sort of thinkgs and its called college
22 March 2012, 13:15
10
Kim, when you attended the University of Arizona did they require you to write clearly. Also, I'm sure they required correct spelling.
22 March 2012, 13:16
10
Jeez, are you sure you have a university education, your spelling would say otherwise, kim-a-dim-tim.
22 March 2012, 19:35
00
He bought it. Just kidding Kim (guest). With so many religions involved, Lebanon should be a heaven.... Yet is more like hell from that perspective.
22 March 2012, 12:29
01
ok, imagine there are 50 students in a muslim university, would they even dare to ask what these guys are asking?
no..
case closed.
22 March 2012, 12:44
12
Well it is a bad move by these fellows, they should have respected the house that welcomed them to study for their own future. Definitly thumbs down!!
22 March 2012, 13:14
02
Kids these days, tsk tsk, trying to rebel against authority, moreover under the guise of religion. School is a place we go to get an education, and learn about amazing things, like why some humans are green and have big noses.
I very much doubt today, that many of our youths, and I being one of them, sincerely practice our religion. I say good for these kids who are searching for their religious identity, and probably confused in a Christian institute, but maybe the initial choice of school wasn't right for them. Antonine has a long established religious identity, is privately run, and any prospective student would and should have known, it is strictly Christian.
Christian schools do have the best track record, which is why so many Islamic parents enrol their kids, but if you feel the necessity to pray during what is only a 7 hour school day, then there are plenty of other schools in Lebanon which follow Islam, and will happily accommodate your desires.
No_ob
22 March 2012, 15:57
00
if the university is christian, then it should clearly state, that all muslims should not and cannot be accepted at the university. otherwise, accept them and give them a place to pray and the prolem is solved. but while trying to look civilised and open minded i believe, a situation like this came to happen and now everybody is angry and mad. its the problem from the university not the students.
22 March 2012, 14:07
00
لماذا الاصرار من بعض الفئات على إظهار المجتمع الاسلامي بهذه الصورة الهمجية و المتخلفة؟نحن كباقي الطوائف و المذاهب لنا الحق في ممارسة العبادات في أي مكان و زمان طالما نحن لا نعتدي على غيرنا من الطوائف أو المذاهب ،ليس خطأ الطلاب إن أقاموا الصلاة في باحة الجامعة،بل خطأ الإدارة التي منعتمهم من أداء صلاتهم ...
22 March 2012, 14:31
00
what does GMa have to do with that FPM were the 1st to condemn this childish act.stop politizing a non political issue
22 March 2012, 15:03
00
You missed out accept muslim students and not give them their praying room, which is what the general consensus seems to be headed on.
Also, they're called christian schools for a reason, bro.
22 March 2012, 15:40
00
برأيي كمسلم يجب أن تبقى الجامعة على موقفها برفض أي مساومات بهذا الأمر وإلا وقعت ضحية التناقض بين مختلف الطوائف. لحين وضوح الرؤية المستقبلية لكل طرف.
22 March 2012, 16:00
00
This is why our country will never be blessed with the beauty of a true non-sectorial democracy.
Simple fact to everyone here, Religion is by no means the ONLY way that you can have a relationship with God. Therefore if you would like to have a certain lifestyle dictated by Religion then adhere to all of it and not selectively. Having said that, if you were to do so, I believe a good excuse will be that this is not the 600s anymore nor the first few years of the millenium calendar, hence you should adapt your Religion to you and not try to stop the World from evolving !
We live in an outdated political and religious environment, and by the comments that I am reading below, most of you are happy with that :)
Good job !
22 March 2012, 18:03
00
First why is there religious unis? Second i went to a catholic school in australia who had a prey room for all students of different religions ...this whole issue is whack!
22 March 2012, 18:05
11
As usual FT, it is your way or the highway. Your analysis is flawed, your opinion is biased and everything that comes out of your mouth is one-sided, decisive and used for the sole purpose of shoving your ideology down everyone else’s throat. I will not appease Muslims and their ideology not matter how anyone berates me into doing it. Muslims who adhere to the teachings of the Quran, consider Christians and Jews to be infidels and without faith. Until moderate Muslims speak out and clearly state they do not intend to convert Christians and Jews into Muslims, I will not appease or trust them. You are the hypocrite SIR for not telling the truth!
22 March 2012, 18:07
00
First why are there religious universities? I went to a all girls catholic school in Australia which had a preyer room for all students of different religions...this entire issue is whack!
22 March 2012, 19:41
10
WoW. How radical you sound. Basically, Christians cannot stop in a mosque unless they convert to Islam first. And vice versa. Well done FT...I admire your sense of logic and tolerance. What school did you attend? LOL. FT, honestly.... There are so many places where you can pray in school, if that's what you are looking for, I can recommend you a few good madrassas in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
22 March 2012, 19:58
00
I think Hizbullah instigated this on purpose
He is testing the grounds to see how friendly are Christians to them. And they are doing so in the perspective that if another war with Israel occurred, how much support can they draw among the Christians.
Even though they think they have the support of the majority of Christians because of their alliance with Aoun. This incident would have given them much thought and insight about the true sentiment of the Christian community.
22 March 2012, 21:04
00
very deep, but it's not a question of Shiaa and Sunna nor of christians and muslims,it's of mutual respect. If Israel attacks today all Lebanese Christians, Druze and even sunnis will unite against our common ennemy so...PS: believe it or not but even Geagea will be with Hizbullah and against Israel, wont he?
22 March 2012, 21:14
00
This has nothing to do with Hezbollah. I hate Hezbollah, but I am a Muslim. If I stayed at a University that had a good number of Muslims, I would want a prayer room. Prayer rooms don't have to be huge Musalahs, I go to college in the United States. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, however, they allowed us to have a prayer room! Whereas public universities here would not allow it because of the separation of church and state! Our prayer room is really small, but it is sufficient for the 10 Muslims who pray in there. We are not trying to take over the college, we just wanted a good place to pray, just like these students! I don't care whether they are Sunni or Chia, if the University is denying them a request, than they are sectarian, just like HezbolChaytan. Ya Rafiq Hariri, we need you more than ever.
22 March 2012, 21:57
00
Keserweneh
This would have been true if it was year 2000.
Today things are a bit different - Hizbullah sided with Syrian Regime in 2005 against most Lebanese. Hizbullah triggered 2006 war that all Lebanese suffered from and most Lebanese didn't agree on. Prominent politicians were assasinated which lot of Lebanese suspect Hizbullah of executing for Syria. In May 2008 Hizbullah invaded Beirut and the Chouf area. They forced Jumblat switch side and force elected majority to become minority. Hizbullah doesn't want to hand over its weapons to Lebanese army while other lebanese parties already did so in 1990. The level of Hate that the Majority of Sunnis/Druze & Christians have toward Hizbullah is so high that they will not stand anymore with Hizbullah if Israel attacks.
If Hizbullah is wise, he would hand his weapons to Lebanese army. If Israel then attacks, the Lebanese will then stand united against Israel.
23 March 2012, 00:44
01
Guys,
Who doesnt miss the innocent childhood when we thought that all Lebanese loves each other and didnt know what war was about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVzK42Q17CE&feature=share
23 March 2012, 16:51
00
anonymoustxusa
WTF ! We donot need your help when Israel attacks lebanon ! What you will do ! 2006 war didnot mean anything to yo , you continued your life like nothing happened mean while our children were killed every day. Everyone know what areas were bombed in lebenaon ! I want to ask you name me a single Christian village that was targeted by israel? So you shut your mouth and be sure that there are real men in the south and on the borders defending Lebanon , not chickens like you and your masters who would escape. And by the way you saw how in 7 ayyar some Hizbullah scouts invaded beirut in just 3 hours. Do you know why ? Because the people down there are chickens so how come you want these same people to defend lebanon when israel attacks ? Finally, i think that Muslim students must have their right to pray whether it is a muslim or a christian university .
