Professor Ibrahim Najjar’s powerful and progressive stances in domestic law make him a potentially strong ally for women’s groups.
Forget what Speaker Berri said to PM Seniora about him “wasting” the Ministry of Justice by giving it to the Lebanese Forces. Professor Ibrahim Najjar, the LF’s choice for the seat, commands great respect in Lebanese legal circles, even in those related to Mr. Berri.
What sets Mr. Najjar aside is his field of specialization. Mr. Najjar wrote many books and treatises on domestic issues with a distinct libertarian emphasis. A quick look at his impressive bibliography and you’ll understand why women’s groups like the Campaign for Arab Women’s Right To Nationality will be salivating at his nomination.
Lebanon has many antiquated domestic laws, like the fact that a women, unlike men, can’t give their nationalities to their children if they marry non Lebanese men, or that women need to secure their husbands’ approval before traveling. Laws like these hang on in the system because the people at the top didn’t really care about them and didn’t devote any energy to straighten them out.
Granted, the Minister of Justice isn’t the person who legislates new laws, but having such a passionate advocate in such a high position can only be a good thing for Lebanese women.
Tags: Domestic Law, Ibrahim Najjar, Law, Lebanese Forces, Lebanese Women, Ministry Of Justice
Hello, my name is Mustapha and I have been blogging about Lebanese society and politics since February 2005. You can also find me on 
How come you are ignoring the main event that Pres. Sleimen met with Bashar and Sarkozy?
Main event? really? let’s see if anything comes out of it :) ..
Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure there’s at least 5 links in the sidebars about that “main event”..
I agree on your Comment Mustapha… I certainly Ibrahim Najjar is “the man” for the post… though I’m not too sure he’s LF in his heart of hearts.
Ibrahim Najjar is a great asset and a legal brain. Sadly I doubt he’ll be able to achieve much in improving women’s rights in Lebanon since we’re a retarded misogynous society that refuses to advance. Before giving women the right to pass on the citizenship, lets ban the so called “honor crimes” first!
Lebanese women are strong with their love and commitment to their partners and families. Paradoxically, these are what weaken them at times. But, this weakness is only virtual, as it adds to their inner strength. Smart and lucky is the man who knows how to weaken the heart of his wife with loving him, but make her radiate with an eternal beauty and strength of love and dedication.
Well the idiot has now completely undone that. He came out against a ruling allowing a Lebanese woman to pass her citizenship down to her children after the death of their husband. This filth all-but undid a court ruling in Mount Lebanon allowing the woman to give her LEBANESE kids the citizenship!