By Simona Sikimic
Monday, February 21, 2011

BEIRUT: Activists Sunday called for thousands of people to take to the streets in support of secularism and for the abolition of the confessional system.
The annual Laique Pride march, now in its second year, has been set for April 17, when protesters of all religious and political persuasions are expected to descend on central Beirut for a day of peaceful protests.

“We are Lebanese citizens who wish to live in dignity and equality with other co-citizens,” said one march organizer, Yalda Younes. “Armed with public and private rights and liberties warranted by the Lebanese Constitution, we mobilize for a secular state founded on citizenship, guaranteeing an expression of the country’s diversity and securing social justice, one of the main foundations of civil peace.”

Spurred by popular protests that have swept the Arab world in recent weeks and greater coordination between participating groups, Laique organizers hope to double or even triple numbers this year and are aiming to attract between 6,000 and 8,000 supporters.

In contrast to other regional protests, however, Laique organizers are not advancing an overthrow of the system, but rather seek gradual change from within and an acceleration of the Taif Accord, which put an end to the 1975-1991 Civil War and promises the eventual abolition of the sectarian system.

Laique attributes its relative success to its widespread use of social media and its strictly apolitical stance, which has allowed various pro-secular groups to join the movement, despite their differing political viewpoints.
“Secularism has nothing to do with political affiliation,” said Younes. “[And] we have no intention to be a political party.”

Younes stressed that the movement would not allow itself to be hijacked by politicians.

“The Laique Pride is a movement seeking to gather the different shades of the Lebanese secular fabric,” she said. “[It] encourages and supports every movement and organization working toward a more egalitarian society.”
But other activists at the launch of the march disagreed, and debate about the movement’s direction rages on.
“We should be encouraged and try and emulate what happened in Egypt and push for the overhaul of the system,” said activist Bassem Sheet.

Laique has also been publicly criticized for lacking a clear-cut action plan, with many labeling the movement’s aims as unrealistic, given the fragile nature of Lebanon’ s political situation.
“Of course we are aware of the [criticism] and the many problems we face,” said another march organizer, Kinda Hassan. “But the idea is to make people aware and wake them up to the fact that they are responsible for building this nation. If nothing else we want to ignite debate.”

Aside from abolishing institutional sectarianism, the group is calling for the introduction of human rights legislation, private liberties and gender equality, as well as the strengthening of an independent judiciary. They also propose a unified personal status law and call for greater citizenship education in schools. – S.S.