We Are The Resistance

Mahmoud Shabarek operates the Baraka flour mills in Dora, Beirut. Not long after the outbreak of war, 15 of his workers crossed the premises of the mills to confront him in his office. They informed him they feared for their safety and were leaving in the morning.

�My uncle was away and I did not know what to do. But the mill could not operate without them. I had to do something,� recounts Mahmoud.

Climbing a loading dock, he gave an impromptu address to the men.

�Bread and water are the staples of life,� he began.

We make flour. From that flour, bakers bake bread. Our role is to feed people. Ours is a decent business and we do honest trade. Knowing this, will you leave now, as Lebanon faces her hour of greatest need?

Leave. It would be easier for me. I will sell my grain � it will be easy in these times of shortage � take my money and begin my life again elsewhere. But this would not be right. It is our duty to keep feeding the people of this country.

If we are a free people, if the people of the South are a free people, then these mills must run. Hizballah is not the resistance: We are the resistance!

When he had finished, 11 of the 15 were swayed. They filed around him and entered the office. One by one, they telephoned their families � on the spot � to tell them that they would stay in Lebanon.

For the next two weeks, the mill ran 24 hours a day. On double wages, with meals cooked and served on the premises, the men made the mills run � and fed Lebanon.

However, he now faces a much graver crisis. Present nationwide stocks of grain will last an estimated 30-35 days. Normally, a container ship requires approximately one month from the time the order is placed to its arrival in Beirut. Thus, it is necessary to place orders today for them to arrive before a shortage occurs. As a result of the blockade, however, no grain of any origin can currently be shipped to Lebanon. --Jamie Furniss