By: Naji Ali Amhaz

The ink I spill today is not merely to defend MP Neemat Frem; he is a steadfast Maronite pillar, unshaken by the winds of political and media absurdity. Rather, it is a testimony for history and truth in the face of falsification. It is a testimony to a man who established the foundations of a developmental political movement that was never factional or confined to a narrow frame.

Instead, he made a unifying "Lebanonism" his identity, treating various sects—foremost among them the Shiite component—as true partners in decision-making and in sharing the bread of dignity and the homeland. This stems from his deep conviction that coexistence is not a slogan raised for occasions, but a daily practice manifested in his party, his environment, and his sober political conduct.

The "Frem family" is a lineage deeply rooted in Lebanese history. They are far too great and noble for anyone to dare grant them "certificates of patriotism" or "credentials in coexistence," for they are the very source and origin of these ingrained values. The history of the late Minister George Frem is nothing less than an epic of giving—a "Gospel and a Quran" in the covenant of coexistence and unity. His benevolent impact in embracing and supporting the Shiite component is too vast to be contained in a statement and too great to be summarized in lines. His hands were extended with goodness across all regions, governed by no measure other than humanity and virtuous citizenship.

MP Neemat Frem, who possesses a popular presence that would allow him to lead the largest parliamentary blocs, rises above sectarian mobilization and the incitement of denominational tensions with national chivalry, aristocratic culture, and profound humility. He directs his compass with the precision of a "goldsmith’s scale," keen on maintaining delicate national balances and respecting the specificities of families and villages in the Jbeil and Keserwan regions with the utmost pride and appreciation. Although the masses push him toward the forefront, he refrains from competing for positions out of self-respect, placing his sacred duty toward his country and people above all else. He adheres to a solid independence and convictions that remain unmoved by temptations, taking pride in his authentic Maronite heritage that shines from Lebanon to the corners of the world.

In the school of the Frem family, "the right hand does not know what the left hand gives." Theirs is a silent benevolence, with aid that exceeds the budgets of major political and media institutions, without discrimination between Christian and Muslim. Their "white hands" (charity) reach the heart of the Maronite Church globally and the needy in the remotest Lebanese villages, compelling even opponents and the envious to stand in awe of their generosity and their great national role.

History and the Lebanese people will never forget the stance of Minister George Frem during the darkest of times, when he stood as an impregnable dam defending the rights of Lebanese citizens and confronting the state’s financial drain. Unconcerned with political or personal costs, he was the "Guardian of the Trust" who chose to be dismissed from his ministry in the 1990s rather than squander the nation’s resources in the face of hegemony and tutelage policies.

The rumors and fabrications currently being circulated against MP Neemat Frem are pure slander, rejected by any sane mind and entirely disconnected from reality. Despite urgent requests from Christian and Shiite friends to respond to these attacks, I hesitated, waiting for an official stance from him. It is beneath us—or anyone who respects this national role—to deny or discuss a charge that does not exist in the first place and does not intersect with reality at any point.

However, in light of what we are witnessing, we find ourselves as a Shiite community suffering from an existential and intellectual setback due to the emergence of a group of "intruders" and "accidental theorists" in our society. These individuals, ignorant of the essence of unique Lebanese coexistence, have flooded the arena with their ignorance. In this "era of mediocrity," they have turned into mouthpieces for theorizing and political schizophrenia, dragging us into existential conflicts with the Arab and international communities. They have placed us in a state of national isolation, as if they seek to sever the Shiite component from its natural surroundings and its partners in destiny.

These faces, which appeared in a lapse of time, have caused a structural crisis through a "clownish" discourse that lacks the most basic elements of wisdom, while sober voices are being marginalized. It has reached the point where some figures of thought and the Maronite Church ask with regret: "If the Shiites wanted the language of reason, they would have embraced the national voices calling for unity, instead of exporting those who incite and divide."

What is happening today is a form of political suicide. Disagreement in politics is the essence of democracy. However, because some ignorant individuals defend the Shiites using weak language and unrefined tactics of "treason-labeling," they have plunged the sect into a sharp national crisis. In the United States, for example, the Democratic Party mobilizes against the Republicans and President Trump due to his policies; yet, does the Republican Party dare to accuse its opponents of being "agents" for Iranians or Shiites? Of course not. This is not how politics is managed, nor how media and public opinion are shaped.

Preserving Lebanon requires reclaiming the language of reason represented by Neemat Frem and similar national figures. It requires correcting the path within our internal house, away from being drained in hollow media battles that waste the sacrifices of the resistance and dissipate the resilience of the people.

Today, we are in dire need of recognizing that Lebanon's strength lies in its diversity and true partnership—not in what is being rumored. Otherwise, all talk will be in vain in the face of the danger of a collapse that threatens everyone without exception.

Share

Comments

Add your comment