Eve of 25 May: Salutes to the Resistance and Tribute to the Martyrs

Visualize the scene, Sayyed Al Shuhada complex and the streets surrounding it  choking with thousands of Lebanese from the various regions, religions and political sects who came and listen to the speech of Hizbullah Secretary General and take part in the celebration.. Among the people were scholars, MPs, delegations, politicians and men of intellect.  

It is not only the weapon that makes a difference, it is the people, including the young, the elderly, women, men and children that constitute a major element in the resistance in addition to the fingertips of fighters that pull the trigger in face of the occupier..

I was there among the people, and could not help but feel the chills run down my spine! These are the people that embrace the resistance, and these are the fighters, that give up the cheap and dear for the sake of the land and people.

Fists high in the air, throats shouting slogans that ears cannot but hear and hearts cannot but feel.

As for representatives and personals, moqawama.org managed to briefly interview a couple. Doreid Yaghi, Deputy of the Socialist Progressive party, he said this is a historical day, stressing the importance of this event and day through which the Lebanese assure the importance of the resistance.

MP Ali Kanso on his part highlighted the importance of protecting the resistance as it is a factor of strength in Lebanon and said that the equation of “Resistance-Army-People” enables Lebanon of defeating the “Israeli” enemy.

Zaher Al Khatib, former Member of Parliament stated that the resistance proved in the year 2000 it is the only choice to protect Lebanon, and stressed on the importance of the same equation Kanso spoke of.

Kawthar Al Behsrawi, a well-known Tunisian journalist was pretty much touched by the event.  To her, the resistance was an emblem of honor that each and everyone should hang on the chest and be proud of. To her, people not only in Lebanon but also elsewhere in the Arab world as well as in Europe celebrate this day. She believes she is lucky to have had the chance to witness the tenth anniversary of the Liberation and resistance day.

There is always room for the regular citizens who do not fill political or official posts to make use of such an event and express themselves on such a day.  Aida Najjar, member of Mount Lebanon association attends the celebration with her friends.

“We come from the Mount of Druze to participate in this celebration. We believe we belong to the resistance, feel proud of this resistance that defends and protects all Lebanon. This is the path of dignity and honor and we support it despite religious and sectarian differences.”

Sammar Al Haj, wife of General Ali Al Haj (who was unjustly imprisoned in the case of the four Generals) was present as always, this time with her daughter in law, a Lebanese-American citizen.

Sammar with her usual enthusiasm saluted the resistance and its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, “I tell him and tell the resistance fighters we follow your path, and renew the pledge to defend our country. As long as the resistance is present, we have nothing to fear. “Israel” is to collapse and fall down soon.”

Dana, Al Haj’s daughter in law who has arrived from the United States says she is proud of the resistance that fights for the sake of right and justice, expressing her gratitude to Sayyed Nasrallah and the fighters who defend her homeland, Lebanon.

Hanan Bashir, a college student, attends the celebration with a group of friends, “I am here as this day goes in tribute to all the martyrs and resistance fighters as well as the leader of the Islamic resistance.”

“This is our cause, our cause to free and liberate Lebanon. It is a great honor for us to be able to relive those moments that were truly moments of dignity and victory. We should never forget all the accomplishments the resistance has achieved so far and always aspire for more.”

Ali Karaki, a 10-year-old boy of sparkling eyes caught my attention as he swayed Hizbullah Flag and chanted, which was the case of tens of other children. They repeat the same words and express the same feelings as the adults, those of triumph.

Karaki’s words were the following “today is the day we achieved liberation owing to the resistance and Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, we are happy to see and live this day, and if it were not for the resistance our country would have still been occupied… May god protect the resistance and its leader.”

As for her, this woman you see in the photo below, with the delicate features and deep eyes that for sure have witnessed Lebanon’s different wars and victories since the 1982 and up-to-date, eagerly said she takes part today to salute the resistance. For a while, she repeated prayers and sang chants in support of the resistance.

A salute from Randa Ghulam, an Armenian orthodox from Western Beirut  to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and the souls of all resistance honorable martyrs. Rana says she attends this celebration as it is the least duty to show appreciation and gratitude to what the resistance has accomplished and to all the sacrifices of its people.

While hundreds of thousands of “Israeli” settlers seek shelters as military drills take place, thousands of Lebanese rejoice this glorious day of victory fearless of the Zionist entity and its constant threats, reiterating their readiness for confrontation in case of any “Israeli idiocy”.