Unity Through Shared Culture: a Beacon of Hope in Beirut.

At Al Shabiba Risala we work with mothers, including the mother of one of our players, providing mental health and psychosocial support. During the first year, the focus was on offering this support comprehensively. In the second year, we provided follow-up sessions with an emphasis on enhancing parenting skills.

This year, we have been shifting towards empowering these mothers to become givers rather than just recipients of aid. In this process, we asked two groups of mothers what initiatives they would like to undertake. One group decided to organize a social event with a dual purpose.

They planned to invite their friends, as well as people from various ethnic groups, religions, and nationalities in Beirut, creating a space for cultural exchange. At this event, they would share their customs, traditions, and food, fostering understanding and unity among the diverse communities. This initiative aimed to celebrate their rich cultural heritage and promote social cohesion in Beirut.

The other group wanted to start literacy classes for mothers who did not know how to read or write. However, the focus at this moment was on the social event initiative. Around 30 women attended the event, representing a beautiful mosaic of Lebanese, Syrians, Kurds, Muslims, and Christians.

The organizers brought an array of food, showcasing the culinary traditions of Lebanon, Syria, and Kurdistan. They also performed a traditional Lebanese play accompanied by a famous song, captivating the audience. The women shared dishes from their respective cultures, including Syrian delicacies and Kurdish specialties. Traditional Kurdish and Syrian dances added to the vibrant atmosphere, with everyone participating and learning the steps.

The event turned out to be a resounding success. The women enjoyed an incredible time together, breaking down barriers through laughter, shared meals, and cultural exchanges. For us at ASR NGO, witnessing this was like seeing a piece of heaven. It felt as if we were observing how God intended humanity to be: people from different places, nations, and religions coming together in love, joy, and mutual respect.

Despite the hardships and challenges that Lebanon, particularly Beirut, is facing—where tensions between Lebanese communities and the Syrian refugee host community run high—this event was a beacon of hope. It demonstrated that through understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures, peace and unity are possible.

At the end of the event, the women participated in a fun and engaging activity where they tasted the various dishes and voted on the best one and the best cook. This friendly competition added an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie. One of the women, Suriya, who is 52 years old, was voted as having made the best dish. This recognition brought her immense joy and pride.

Despite the challenges many faced in providing food, the women were incredibly generous, showcasing their culinary skills and cultural heritage. Suriya, when asked about her experience, shared that it was an amazing time. "We always enjoy our time here," she said. "We are always smiling, always laughing, always finding peace among each other. This event brought so much joy to our hearts, helping us escape the anxiety and stress we live with daily. It's a place where we joined as sisters and shared our traditions and had so much fun. The most important thing is having love, smiles, joy, and peace, and getting encouraged by one another. It's completely different."

Another participant, Sanaa, shared her perspective. "I just want to say how many times I get harassed on the street by other Lebanese women, stopping their cars and saying bad things to me. Yet coming here, I saw how we were all gathered, smiling, welcoming, and joyful together. It makes a difference," she said. "We were very encouraged to come and do this. We loved the challenge of who cooked the best. But at the same time, it helped us remember the times when we were in our country, how we used to come together, put all the food out, and share it with everyone. This event reminded us of those times and has been really impactful, bringing so much joy and happiness”.

For Al Shabiba Risala, witnessing these interactions and the profound impact the event had on the participants was incredibly rewarding. It showcased the power of community and cultural exchange to foster understanding, healing, and unity. Despite the hardships and tensions in Beirut, this gathering highlighted the potential for peace and mutual respect, offering a glimpse into a harmonious future where differences are celebrated and everyone has a place at the table.