Part I - Art of Speech: Nasrallah

In general, when I think "Art of Speech", I directly think of Imam Ali. It was in an Arabic literature course that we studied about several poets and writers, and among them was the leader and speaker Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib.

Today I will speak about the Arabic speech giving in particular, and I believe it is a very rich language as Arabic has what is called "Al Balagha", a form of delegating the Arabic speaking and writing into a higher and superior level which few master.

The Arabic Art of Speech is practiced by few leaders nowadays, that can barely be counted on one hand. Even though I do not agree with what they say, this doesn't mean I cannot acknowledge how articulate and convincing some leaders can be.



The first "Khatib" which stands for "Speaker" in Arabic, is Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. I think he is the best one yet in our generation today. Sheik Hassan Nasrallah in particular has overcome several obstacles in giving a speech which is speaking with a lisp. Nevertheless it is said that many great speech givers spoke with a lisp but still gave powerful speeches.

Traits which Nasralla possesses are:
+ Self Control (unlike Michel Aoun, which I will prepare a specific post evaluating his speech qualities and flaws).
+ Following specific keypoints and not reading from a paper, thus not losing his trail of thoughts
+ Voice & tone, knows when he lowers is, knows when he highers it. Also depending on what he is saying he uses the appropriate tone
+ Knows his audience, for example during the July war last summer, his audience were the whole world, but the most important ones were Israel and the Lebanese people, so he knew how to encourage the Lebanese, and discourage the Israelis at the same time.
+ Looks Trustworthy and confident
+ Prepares answers to all possible questions (in case of a press conference)
+ Word playing. It is a very strong quality to be able to take someone else words against him then use them in a way that will support him
+ Reaches out to the audience's self-esteem and pride
+ And Humor where appropriate, and which he knows the audience he is trying to please will appreciate

Links:
1- 10 Suggestings in Speech giving
2- Giving a Speech
3- How to give a speech

Martyrs didn't die, for us to quit and leave

I always go back to a sentence Samir Geagea said on his speech in Notre Dame of Harissa on Sunday, September 29, 2006. You can read about that day in this post.

The meaning of the sentence was that the Lebanese martyrs didn't die, for us to quit and leave.

I love this sentence, it always makes me retreat for a minute and think before I think if I want to leave Lebanon or not.

Of course, for everything in life, there are 2 sides and 2 meanings. But first, I want point out, that all martyr's, whatever their cause was in Lebanon, they had strong faith, and strong belief, that if they die, they are helping Lebanon. We might not totally agree with their political thinking, nonetheless, they really are to respect.

I salute those Lebanese martyrs, and that is the main reason for the red color in the Lebanese flag, we wouldn't trade it for the world.

Back to the 2 sides, should we leave or not? Although people died to save Lebanon. We can decide to stay, only in respect to those martyrs, and we can decide to leave and tell those martyrs, no we're not like you. I am not blaming or saying who's right or wrong, because I believe we are right when we think in both ways.

Another dilemma...

Sleiman Franjieh, please go away

I just have to say it to keep it on record. I was so surprised even shocked of his statement yesterday directly post the assassination by an hour or so, when he blamed the security system in Lebanon of loop holes, etc... And he only did this to get back at those who accused his ministry that their security system is bypassed by the syrian intelligence.

I can't believe how silly, childish and ridiculous Franjieh sounded. Why can't he be for once a wise man, he could've waited at least 1 or 2 days before criticizing Lebanon's weak security system, he should've just paid his condolences and act as a respectful man. But no, the other kids won't like him!

I don't deny that we apparently still have a lousy security system that till now is still hacked by the syrian intelligence which had presumably left Lebanon in April 2005. However it was so obvious that he only wanted to get back just like kids to those who accused him of the same in march 2005.

And concerning Talal Erslen's statement, well no comment. Seriously this guy is living in a whole different world on his own.

Surprised of Lahoud`s statement

I read yesterday on LBC TV marquee, which rolls in the bottom of the screen, that Lahoud said: "I'm the biggest loser since the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri".

Makes you ponder!

After Nasrallah`s speech yesterday

BEIRUT (AFP) - The head of Lebanon's powerful Shiite Hezbollah movement has called for a national unity government to resolve the country's deep political crisis, or fresh elections.

"There a two solutions to resolve the crisis -- either the formation of a government of national unity, in which all political movements take part, or early parliamentary elections," Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech to a mass gathering of Hezbollah supporters broadcast Sunday.

"We cannot have any confidence in this government because it answers to the decisions and wishes of the American administration," he said.

Source: AFP

What puzzles me is, Sheik Nasrallah is using an argument while similarly they do the same specific thing he's accusing the others to do. Anyway, even though the man explains and gives a speech in a very organized manner following an orderly logic, I still cannot agree with him on certain things, whereas he's very smart to the extent that the one who is listening to him gets hypnotized by his words and believes everything he says automatically.

Samir Geagea did it!

After today's mass at Harissa's Basilik, Samir Geagea (Lebanese Forces president) gave the speech in memory of the martyrs that have died 15 years ago in the war against Syria.
It was the first time he had attended this mass after being more than 11 years in Jail, being guilty of a crime which later proved he hadn't committed.
Samir Geagea's words came in the right timing. He had returned something that have been missing lately, a place for the christians in Lebanon. Although I do not like to base my country over religions, however I think what happened today wasn't only for Christians, it was for Lebanese who love Lebanon and care for its own good and not other countries (no need to name).
He called themselves the peaceful resistance, and he asked before asking for a national unity government, the people of Lebanon should be united. He critisized the presence of Hezbollah as a country inside a country without naming them. He also said that the current government, in spite of having some faults, is a government of indepenence and sovereignty.
He acknowledged the martyrs that have died in last year's explosions and the ones who survived them. And the martyrs who were assassinated decades ago for the sake of the country, such as Gemayel, Maawad and Chamoun.
All in all his speech came in the right time to prove to the world and to Lebanon that there are people in it who want Peace, who want weapons in possession of the Lebanese military only, who do not want any foreign force interfering with the decisions taken in Lebanon, and who want the Taef applied. Thousands of people were there, and more on the roads trying to arrive to the location of the mass, Harissa. And hundreds of thousands watching the event on LBC live, including me.

To download files related to Sunday 24 September 2006 Mass + Speech, click here

Nasrallah: Lebanese shouldn't be afraid of Hezbollah

In Sheikh Nasrallah's interview on New TV yesterday Sunday August 27, he specified that the weapons exist to protect the Lebanese and Lebanon from the enemy and the attacker, and will never be used to threaten the Lebanese.

He addressed the christians, and the rest of the muslims, not to fear Hezbollah and not to let anyone scare them using the Hezbollah card. This action is an American-Israeli procedure.

Nasrallah implied Hezbollah will not keep their weapons forever...

Nasrallah explained that concerning the help that Hezbollah is providing for rebuilding houses is dedicated to all people who's homes were destroyed and not just the chiite, although naturally they're the majority as they live mostly in Southern Suburb of Beirut and in the South.

About why Hezbollah have rushed into rebuilding Lebanon and not leaving this job for the government, he said that he had pledged to the people that he will rebuild their homes, and he couldn't wait for the government to start yet he doesn't mind helping the government.

Nasrallah was asked by the interviewer from where he is getting money, he said that not to worry, the source of the money is "halal" (good), and there are no political restrictions on them, so she asked: "Is Iran providing you with the money? Are you asking for help from Iran? What if Iran will apply political restrictions?"

Nasrallah: "The money being spent, and the resistance, were never put under any conditions that could harm the general interest of Lebanon..." and he continued that Iran will probably send an Iranian team to help rebuild the bridges and to check other fields where they could help as well.

The interviewer asked him: "Why the money they own are in the U.S. Dollars?"

However Nasrallah didn't answer this question.

The money and donations received to help Lebanon according to Nasrallah are not enough and are not close to the amount needed to rebuild the huge destruction that happened in Lebanon.

Sheikh Nasrallah said that Syria, Iran, any political party or organization or media or reporter, poet, artist or anyone who wrote, spoke, cried, stood by hezbollah can claim victory and not just a partner in victory.

"Will I dedicate this victory to the christians?" Nasrallah rhetorically asked, he responded that a large part of the christians are partners in this victory, such as General Aoun, also a large part of the muslims are also partners, it was their battle too, so no need to dedicate it. All people who were related in one way or another are partners in this victory, if they weren't related and their scared from this victory, then what can he do for them...

...

Source: New TV

Lahoud's late speech

The Lebanese president Emile Lahoud spoke about the events that have happened since the war, praising the patriotic and united Lebanese army to continue deployment in the South, their strength due to the support of the Lebanese.

He added that the victory was not only for Lebanon but for all arab nations. Lebanon has come up as a winner by preserving his sovereignty and unity.

"It is time for work", he added, declaring that it is time for the Lebanese to rely and depend on themselves in these periods.

Unfortunately, the speech came in late and useless.

Nasrallah will keep RE-acting to all Israeli hostile ACTs

Nasrallah said that the "resistance" is a reaction, and if Israel's attacks and acts keep going on Lebanon, the resistance will react naturally.

Nasrallah continued: "As long as Lebanon is occupied, we will keep resisting and defending Lebanon, as this is our right".

He considered the fact that Security Council held Hezbollah responsible for this war, as unjust and unfair, and afterwards explained that after the kidnap of the 2 Israeli soldiers, it was Israel who attacked civilians in South Lebanon, and hence Hezbollah have replied by launching rockets to Israel's cities.

Israel's attacks and ground operations are ongoing in Lebanon, for today, tomorrow and Monday, and he insisted that the resolution had given this chance to keep their hostility occuring in Lebanon.

He said many points should be discussed on the discussion table inside Lebanon and among the Lebanese leaders, and concerning other few points he will stay reserved about as it is not time to talk about them, and he will deal with them in the future.

Nasrallah requested from the Lebanese to stay united as they have for the past month, he added that the priority at this moment is a cease-fire and for the displaced and immigrants to come back.

Nasrallah says the truth, Wednesday, 9 August

Nasrallah in a televised word on Al-Manar today requested the Arab people of Haifa to flee to a safer place, as he feels for them and worries of hurting them, which is holding back the rocket launching towards Haifa, meanwhile Israel's air-strikes are increasing by the minute on the Southern suburb of Beirut.

Sheikh Nasralla also holds Bush responsible for the cause of delay in the UN draft for a resolution concerning the cease-fire in Lebanon.

Moreover he adds, that while Hezbollah are targeting soldiers and military in Israel, IDF are targetting civilians to pressure the Lebanese people and their government.

After nearly 1 month of the Israeli attack on Lebanon, the resistance is still fighting from the front line, which proves their success until now in this war.

Watch video where a part of it shows a reaction to today's Nasrallah's televised word. Courtesy of Yahoo! News and Associated Press.