Understanding the Beirut Explosion: An Unforgivable Crime…

It was only a month ago, when someone casually referred to me as an activist, that I ever even considered myself to be one. I used to think being an activist meant working for an NGO or having to tie yourself up to a tree. My full time job was in project & event management with Factory People, a Beirut-based entertainment and arts & culture group which showcases the magnificent cultural and artistic side of the country - to both Lebanon and the entire world. And for years we managed to do that successfully. 

Until October 17, 2019 when a revolution emerged across Lebanon against the political ruling class and every corrupt person associated to it. And I joined the fight from day one. It was the first time I joined a protest because for some reason, this time felt different. Maybe I was finally old enough to understand the seriousness of the calculated destruction that was taking place, to realize the roots of the corruption and to believe that I needed to be an active part of tearing down this regime and building a new country. I considered myself just one of thousands of citizens who were fed up of being robbed and abused by our own government. But my role transformed from being one body in a mass of protestors into being one of the founders of the progressive youth movement Minteshreen, and it was then that I accepted that I was an activist whether I had intended to be one or not. I felt a responsibility to find others like me who wanted to fight for their country and didn’t even know it, or know how, and I used my project and event management skills to help organise the movement. I needed to consider myself a resource to the revolution and give it all I’ve got.

Pan forward to August 4th, 2020. For six years prior to that date, 2750 tons of ammonium nitrate were stored in the port of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and no one knew. The only ones who did know were the corrupt ruling class. And on August 4th a fire allegedly broke out at the port triggering an atomic-like blast that shattered the city. This blast is now considered one of the world’s largest non-nuclear explosions. It killed 181 people, injured over 6000 with many still missing today. It damaged a 10km radius, destroying entire buildings & homes and displacing over 300,000 people. And it took seven whole days after the blast for the government to send the first aid dispatch

In the past nine months my country has experienced the emergence of a revolution, the collapse of an economy, the resignation of a government, the hyperinflation of currency and the COVID-19 pandemic and all that comes with it. In the past 30 years, the Lebanese have suffered multiple wars, assassinations, bombings, occupations by other countries, a garbage crisis and now we can add “almost-nuclear explosion” to the list.

For context, Lebanon is the only country in the region with such a diverse population and 18 religions. A civil war took place from 1975 to 1990, ending with the Taif Agreement which offered a Sectarian Democracy solution where each position in the government was assigned to a particular religion. Meaning the President must be a Maronite Christian; the Speaker of the Parliament a Shi'a Muslim, and the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim. This system bred corruption and nepotism and sectarianism reigned, fueling further divide with each ruling religion and their various affiliated political parties who were finding ways to get more grasp on the country, by grabbing on to more assets, and dividing their territory physically in unmarked lines across the country. Over the past few decades, this has had its toll, including the emigration of 8 to 10 million Lebanese (which is twice the current population of Lebanon).

Despite all of this and even with the foreign passport I hold, I have never had any intention of leaving before and I would never do so without trying one more time with all my capacity to help save this country. Some wonder why I would do that when I have a free pass to go almost anywhere in the world? Putting aside my natural attachment to my home country, I look around me and see masses of people who do not have this luxury. I look around and see people who don’t understand the concept of freedom. I see lethargy and despondency in their eyes. People who are fearing for their livelihood and their lives. And it becomes almost impossible for me to abandon them.

Our fight is a long one and it cannot be solved quickly. This explosion was an unforgivable crime and we now carry a rage in our hearts that will fuel the revolution. It won’t be easy to overcome almost 45 years of corruption but I’m certain that this time there is no turning back.

How can WiFP readers help: The Lebanese government's inaction and failure to provide any form of relief or aid to its suffering people, inspired Lara and a group of fellow Lebanese citizens to join forces to create a relief aid camp called Basecamp with Baytna Baytak, Minteshreen, Muwatin Lebnene and Embrace. You can donate to the initiative here.

Lara Kays is a Lebanese activist and Co-Founder of the progressive youth movement Minteshreen.