By: Naji Ali Amhaz

To those familiar with my writings, you know that I have always been precise—even in analyses that once seemed far‑fetched but later proved accurate. Today, I write because in ordinary times, words are spoken lightly, but in extraordinary times, they are weighed on the scales of blood. From this scale, I offer sincere advice to the Shiites in particular, and to the Lebanese people in general.

A Community Facing an Existential Test
The Shiites, like any community under existential pressure, feel that the danger they face transcends politics and touches their very survival. Whether one agrees with this perception or not, it remains a lived reality—just as it was for Christians in the region before them. Yet this does not signify weakness or inevitable defeat. Communities under threat may become unsettled, but they may also rediscover themselves more deeply.
The essential question is not what is happening today, but where the Shiites will stand tomorrow—within Lebanon, within the Middle East, and within the shifting global landscape.

The Virtue of Silence in Times of Upheaval
In moments like these, the foremost virtue is self‑restraint. Silence—even if it requires biting one’s lips until they bleed—is not fear; it is wisdom. A single undisciplined word can cause more harm than a shell. The Shiites must not be dragged behind media narratives, whether they cheer, incite, or spread fear. Words do not create facts in wars between states; they only amplify consequences. Facts are shaped by power, patience, and survival.

The Shiites and the Lebanese State
The Shiites in Lebanon are not outside the state; they are a fundamental pillar of its sovereignty. The state—despite disagreements with it—remains the only framework capable of protecting everyone. Wars are not managed by ideology alone but by minimizing losses and containing fire. Remaining a safe zone in a burning Middle East is an achievement, not a retreat. A state’s attempt to spare its people from total war is not betrayal; it is its core function.
States cannot endure total siege or open‑ended war. They must secure basic needs—bread, medicine, fuel. In major conflicts, political flexibility becomes an existential duty. Victory is not always measured by triumph; sometimes survival with minimal losses is the true victory.

Representation and National Frameworks
The Shiites have representation—ministers, deputies, institutions. They possess constitutional tools to manage crises within national frameworks. The issue is larger than a party or a sect; it concerns an entire Middle East that risks collapse if composure is lost.
History shows that when communities reach the peak of conflict, their choices narrow to painful settlements or maximum confrontation. Leaders may transform into symbols whose presence transcends politics. Some choose martyrdom to ensure continuity for their followers, turning their death into a meaning that endures.

A Region Entering the Era of Harsh Clarity
The world is entering what may be called the “Era of Harsh Clarity.” Fragile balances are collapsing, and alignments are becoming explicit. Yet one truth remains constant: no component in this region can be eliminated. The Shiites, like others, are an essential part of the regional equation. Any project built on elimination is temporary; history does not settle on erasing part of itself.

The Central Warning
The most urgent advice: Do not turn against the State, no matter how bitter circumstances become. Hold onto it, for it is the only framework that protects everyone when storms multiply. State leaders often face bitter choices, but politics is the art of balancing the possible and the impossible.
Throughout history, resistance movements were never universally accepted. Communities that endured harsh trials—including the Maronites decades ago—found salvation through silent work and persistent effort.

Transformation, Not Collapse
This war—however great—is not the end of history. It may be the beginning of a profound transformation. But transformation is not managed by slogans; it requires understanding the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. Those who fail to adapt with awareness will face a true existential crisis.
Lebanon cannot bear the weight of major global shifts, yet its future—however bleak—must be built with cold reason, not anger.

Conclusion
In times of storms, national unity remains the last shared meaning we possess. Despite its cracks under immense pressure, it is still the only foundation capable of carrying Lebanon through the earthquake ahead.

Share

Comments

Add your comment