Guest Writer: Why It Matters That Mika Is Not Lebanese

Someone finally found something worthwhile to be said about the “Lebanese” artist who gave a few concerts in Lebanon last week.

Nadim K. over at Tajaddod youth reminds us that because of an antiquated Lebanese law, Mika, the celebrated “Lebanese” artist, never got the Lebanese nationality simply because his father wasn’t Lebanese.

Those who thought the singer who entertained thousands last week in Martyrs Square was Lebanese are mistaken.

Indeed, Mika was born in Beirut to an American father and Lebanese mother: Lebanese law does not allow Lebanese women to pass down nationality to their children.

So the brilliant artist who should be (and would like to be) representing our country abroad, cannot.

Another more tragic consequence of our unfair nationality laws is this account (taken from l’Orient le Jour)-my translation-:

I am 31 years old, I was born and I live in Lebanon. My mother is Lebanese and my father who died, was an achouri Christian from Iraq, moved to Lebanon in the middle of the last century having obtained from the Lebanese authorities provisional papers in the form of a pass which I inherited. I know by heart every corner of Achrafieh, Dekouané, Nabba, Sin el Fil, Dora, Hamra, Jounieh, Zahle, Saida… I found work several times but as soon as my employers were unable to provide me a work permit, I was fired. Since then, my mother decided to borrow money to open a supermarket where I could finally make a living. I began to feel adult, independent, happy. I met a girl whom I fell in love and we decided to marry. Everything was going well until the day when her brothers realized that having a father with a card “taht qayd al dars”, our children may find themselves without a nationality, cursed by birth, because a Lebanese woman cannot give her nationality to her children, whatever the circumstances. My fiancee decided to break her commitment to marriage. I am back to my scourged fate. My life is a series of misfortunes. Some say, “your maternal grandfather should have adopted you.” Thank you, I would answer, it’s too late, my grandfather has died now and nobody had thought of this before. I tried to leave for Europe where an old aunt of mine lives, but it was impossible to obtain a visa with my provisional papers. I advised by some to hide in the hold of a ship and declare myself a “refugee” on a more lenient land. I did not dare, I was afraid that this illegal act would only lead me to jail for God knows how many months or years. My mother feels terrible to be powerless. She recently knocked on all doors, even very senior officials, to try to find a “wasta”. She is ready to do everything she is asked in order to obtain a Lebanese passport for me. She often gets the response: this law has been applied to prevent Palestinian men from marrying Lebanese women and becoming ex officio Lebanese themselves and their children born to this mixed marriage. Is this a convincing argument? I doubt it. Knowing that when a Palestinian woman marries a Lebanese man, their children have the right to Lebanese nationality!

Whatever the reason, the Women’s blood right has been removed! Lebanese wake up, claim your rights to protect you and protect your children. You are 50% of votes in the country. In a few months you will head to the ballot box. Vote for those who publicly promise to defend women’s rights.

Youssef Taht-qayd-Eldar

The time for change is long overdue.

(this article can also be found at the TY’s blog)