New friends

Lebanon has a long history of tension between different religious and political groups. Sometimes this results in civil unrest and – at times – armed conflict.

One of Tearfund’s partners in Lebanon runs youth programmes designed to bring together young people from across religious and ethnic divides to learn more about one another, take part in activities alongside each other, and build relationships that start to bring understanding and healing.

Levon* is 16. He is from an Armenian Lebanese family and studies at a Christian school. Before he joined the youth centre he did not have any Arab or Muslim friends at all.

Levon says, ‘What changed most in me is how I see people who are different to me. Last year, I thought they were bad people. Today, however, I am much more open-minded than I used to be. 

‘When I first joined the centre I used to hang out with Christian friends only, but now I have many Muslim friends. One of my good friends is Syrian. Moussa* and I were in the classroom during an activity where students made speeches to represent their people. The conversation sparked and our friendship took off that day.’

Levon says he learnt a lot during the sessions about the importance of listening to each other without judgement, and learning about each other’s beliefs. He says he also enjoyed a group activity that involved going out onto the streets and asking people questions to better understand attitudes and opinions within their own neighbourhood.

Young people such as Levon and Moussa have a natural and vital part to play in their communities. By making new friends and learning to hear and understand one another better, they can help to build peace.

*Names have been changed for protection