Special report on the opening ceremony of Ardee

Source: Hizbollah Site Staff, 24-10-2009

The people of the land, all people of the land of the different regions and religions are entitled to participate and visit ‘Ardee'- the fair of provisions as well as agricultural and handcraft products.

The ‘Sayyed Al Shuhahda' complex again hosts the fair of ‘resistance' for the third year in a row, organized by Jihad Al Bina'company. The fair holds 170 participants, and according to officials it takes a whole year of preparation and intensive work of 1 month in order to be ready.

Friday, the 23rd of October 2009 was the opening ceremony of the ‘Ardee' where Hizbullah Deputy Secretary General inaugurated the fair in presence of political personals, municipality and ministerial officials.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Kassem tackled several topics including the Zionist state and the government formation, and further elaborated on the importance of this fair and its effect on society.

Sheikh Kassem said that this is a unique step of Jihad Al Bina'- Hizbullah's construction company in Lebanon- towards development. Not only that but also this fair is a clear statement that women, men, and children are willing to fight for the land, their mother and home where the tiniest seed in this land is worth fighting for and is an integral part of resistance.

"When we protect our land, we will not rely on the UN Security Council, the US, or sweet talk. We will rely on God first, ourselves and our rifles, our hands and efforts. We will win like we have won before."

On the importance and impact of such a fair, a battle site whose fighters are the farmers and laborers, regular people of the different villages and towns of Lebanon and whose weapons are handmade products, moqawama.org interviewed head of Jihad Al Bina', Mr. Mohammad Al Haj. 

On this note, Al Haj said this is an attempt to help and serve the people of Lebanon as the agricultural sector is not paid attention as should.

"The government-unfortunately- has not been paying attention to the problems the society, especially those living in rural areas concerning production and sales."

"This fair was a trial in 2007 and was successful and therefore the trial became a yearly project that serves the people of Lebanon."

On the major role and aim of the establishment, Mohammad Al Haj said: "Our duty is to serve the people and all the people. Jihad Al Bina' is putting its utmost efforts to provide society with job opportunities."

Member of the Political Council of Hizbullah, Ghaleb Abu Zeinab, who attended the ceremony said in an interview with moqawama.org that this fair is a clear evidence that the Resistance and its people love life and insist on living with dignity.

"The fair is in a complex and a surrounding that was completely destructed during the July 2006 war, but rose up again to become a complex of resistance that hosts different activities."

He added: "This fair in my perspective has two sides. The first is an invitation for the people of the city to change their life style and food diet that has become very harmful as food consumption these days has become a "killer". Secondly this is a great chance for the farmers to sell their products as well as a chance for the people to integrate and cooperate as well as benefit."

On another note, Sammar Al Hajj, wife of the Lebanese Ali Al Hajj- who was falsely detained with three other officers upon suspected involvement in assassination of Rafic Hariri, said on her part that Ardee is enough evidence that all the Lebanese society participates in resistance.

"This fair is a part of the chain of resistance that fights the policy of "canned food", the policy of cultural invasion and most important of all, it fights the Zionist state."

"Hizbullah proved openness towards other religions and regions in Lebanon. In addition, the role of women is very significant in this society, and here we see the true meaning of equality and rights."

Nina from Kiserwen village in the mountain, says she finds herself very comfortable in this fair. She said: "people from the mountain are looking forward to visiting the fair. The diversity of people is amazing and unlike what many claim that the Dahiyeh is a military suburb."

As for Makram Mansour, from Rashaya Al Fakhar Christian village in the South, he says his organization "Nour" participates for the second year consecutively. He says as participants in the fair, they are very happy and honored to participate.

Makram says: "without any exaggeration, this fair is a sample of the country we want, a country of all Lebanese people who work and cooperate together, and have same goals."

Nada Abu Diab, from Jahliyeh village in Al Shouf area in the Lebanese mountain says the variety in the fair is very interesting. The fact that all kinds people participate and visit the fair is a very positive step towards openness and cooperation.

"It is very interesting to see the sons of one country participate and mingle in such a beneficial activity in one place." Nada says. 

She added: "Jihad Al Bina is always in service and responds to our needs and demands. We are honored to participate and take part for the second year in a row."

It is worth mentioning that Jihad al-Bina- also referred to as "Construction for the Sake of the Holy Struggle," has done major efforts that turned the fair into a successful experience that will take place every year, in addition to new projects and steps towards more development in the coming future.

Many more organizations and firms participate in the fair, of which certain ones attract a special attention such as the ‘wounded' establishment, where the victims of the war get to produce and sell just like all the regular citizens of the country.

And so was the opinion of visitors and participants all agreeing that this is an example of a country of unity and common life... ‘Ardee'. 

*photos taken by Issam Kobeissy