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Zainab Chamoun

I’m an amateur writer, pouring all the ideas, thoughts, feelings and questions I have into the pages of my infinite notebooks. I graduated with an MA in Media Studies from the American University of Beirut. I tell stories with the hope of bringing some light to the world. Other than that, I daydream and drink lots of coffee. 

Missing Perspectives •

On “neighbouring” the oppressor: living under the constant threat of war

As a Lebanese, born and raised in the South of Lebanon, I am familiar with what war is and the aggression of Israel. I survived the 2006 war, and my parents survived multiple wars against Israel. It is always brutal and inhumane, purposefully neglecting every aspect of humanity and international humanitarian laws. But why would they even obey if they always escape being held accountable for their atrocities? No amount of bloodshed is surprising from Israel – this is the core foundation of their
Religion Unplugged •

Downtown Beirut church hit by blast is a symbol of hope, unity and grit

Beirut’s blast isn’t the first explosion that damaged Saint Elias Cathedral. The church was built in 1849 and has outlasted many wars. The Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990) destroyed the church completely. It was bombed several times and used as a military barrack. The amount of destruction was enormous, but the church was repaired.

Although he only served in the church after it was restored, Father Agapios has gone through several other battles that affected the church, including the economic cri
Religion Unplugged •

Countering Islamophobia with community: A Lebanese woman's spiritual retreat in France

On my last day, I walked to the church with Meeho, a Buddhist girl who was searching for her spiritual truth while exploring a different belief system.

She asked (back to the unexpected questions), “Does God in your religion love you?”

I laughed. But seeing the curiosity in her eyes made me aware that she was really looking for an answer. I told her to put religion aside when measuring God’s love to humans and that God loves us more than our own parents do.

We had a long inspiring talk about
UNDP Peace Building •

Beirut’s Tragedy - Reviving a Lost Sense of the Lebanese National Belonging

In the aftermath of Beirut’s explosion, the daily life of citizens in Lebanon was defined by one prominent scene: Lebanese and non-Lebanese manpower, from all ages, genders, areas and religious backgrounds relentlessly crowding in Beirut’s distorted streets to help the city get back into shape. The daily grind consisted of huge numbers of repaired windows and doors, distributed food parcels, secured shelters, cleaned streets and infinite needs assessments. We never knew just how much we loved Be
The National •

Beirut explosion: Palestinian rescuers behind rescue of man from rubble

The world was hoping for at least some positive news from Lebanon the day after the explosions rocked Beirut and killed more than 150 of its people.

One of the first chinks of light in the darkness came with a video showing the rescue of Issam Shamas from the rubble.

Mr Shamas, a volunteer with the Lebanese Civil Defence, was dug out of a collapsed three-storey building by a team of Palestinian rescuers near Saint George Hospital.

He was freed about noon on August 5, 17 hours after the devast

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