Search For Keyword.

Activists launch initiative to ease tension between people of Syria, Lebanon


Writing by Zaman Staff; Translation by Yusra Ahmed

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Significant efforts and initiatives are being made to release tension between Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and the Lebanese.

“Decostamine” is one of those initiatives, aims to reduce tension among Syrians and Lebanese, especially after the latest irresponsible and tragic clashes in Ersal between Syrian refugees and the Lebanese army and others.

Activist Mohamed Atef explained to Zaman al-Wasl that initiative aimed to change the stereotype and preconceptions toward the Syrian refugees in different Lebanese areas, in order to reduce the tension and the negative effects on Syrians.

The activist added: “the initiative calls for spreading peace among different social groups and reducing discrimination acts and tension among people. Therefore, it attracted enthusiastic people from different religious and cultural backgrounds, especially Lebanese, who showed important cooperation and understanding”

The activist explained the reason for choosing the name, as “Decostamine” is a name of a decongestion drug used to reduce signs of flu and cold, made by TAMECO, the Syrian medication factory, as founders felt that important interventions were needed to reduce tension and congestion in the Syrian-Lebanese relationship.

The activist told Zaman al-Wasl that next step would be visiting some responsible bodies and the Lebanese government to explain the aim of the initiative, and help in finding mutual solutions to problems people face in areas with high intensity of Syrians.

About practical steps, the activist explained that a “sit-in” for both Syrian refugees and Lebanese is being planned for, which aims to raise awareness to effects of tension among both people, beside finding common ideas about ways to reduce discrimination and violence.

Ahmed Mahfooz, a member of the initiative’s founding committee confirmed that the “sit-in” is going to take place within few weeks, to introduce the initiative to people and try to get in connection with other humanitarian, legal and media organization, besides public figures to work on strengthening the humanitarian bonds among people.

Dr. Imad Eddin Khatib, the regional Director of Human rights, insisted on the need for introducing the initiative to all media agencies to help in explaining its goals, and advised to do everything possible to deliver the idea of the initiative to the Lebanese government and to request implementing the international laws in regard to refugees.

“Decostamine” initiative’s founders explained on the Initiative’s facebook page the need for budget and regular fund to be able to support the activities it needs to deliver messages and arrange events.



Zaman Al Wasl
(64)    (63)
Total Comments (0)

Comments About This Article

Please fill the fields below.
*code confirming note