Photo: World Newsera
Lebanon has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. The country is facing a severe economic crisis, political instability, and social unrest. The government's bizarre decisions have only added to the chaos, leaving citizens confused and frustrated. One such decision was the recent time change, which has caused widespread confusion and inconvenience. In this article, we will explore the government's strange decisions and their impact on the country's citizens.
The Time Change
On Sunday, the Mediterranean country of roughly 6 million was scheduled to turn its clocks back an hour for daylight saving, as it does every year along with much of the wider region and Europe.This time, however, there was a last-minute objection.
The holy month of Ramadan, practiced by a major proportion of Lebanon’s population and during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, falls across March and April this year. Daylight saving would mean that sunset falls around 7 p.m. rather than 6 p.m., making practicing Muslims go an additional hour before they can break their fast and eat and drink again.
A few days before the clocks were to be set back, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliament speaker Nabih Berri decided that daylight saving should be postponed until April 21, a move widely seen as an act of support for Muslims observing Ramadan. The country’s leadership is divided between Sunni and Shia Muslims and Christians.
Lebanon’s powerful Maronite church, the largest Christian institution in the country, objected, saying they were not consulted and that such a last-minute change would cause chaos in the country and put it at odds with international standards.
The result? For the first time ever, millions of people in one small country are suddenly going by two different time zones.
Importantly, however, people’s clocks did not change automatically; the government expects people to change their own clocks manually. With no unified authority dictating what time it is in the country, Lebanese say they are confused and everyone is going by different time zones.
This led to chaos and confusion for airports, businesses, and people across Lebanon.
Furthermore, The government's decision to change the time has been criticized from various quarters. Many people have taken to social media to express their frustration and confusion. Some have even called for a boycott of the government's decision, arguing that it is a pointless exercise that only adds to the country's problems.
The Economic Crisis
Lebanon's economic crisis is one of the worst in the world. The country's currency has lost more than 90% of its value, and inflation has skyrocketed. The crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the country hard. The government's response to the crisis has been inadequate, with many people accusing it of corruption and mismanagement.
The crisis has had a severe impact on the country's citizens, with many struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living has gone up, and many people have lost their jobs. The crisis has also led to a shortage of essential goods, such as fuel and medicine. The government's response to the crisis has been slow and ineffective, leaving many people feeling hopeless and frustrated.
Political Instability
Lebanon has been plagued by political instability for decades. The country's sectarian system has led to a power struggle between different factions, with each trying to gain an advantage over the other. The result has been a dysfunctional government that is unable to address the country's problems.
The government's response to the recent protests has been heavy-handed, with security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. The protests were sparked by the economic crisis and the government's failure to address it. The government's response has only added to the anger and frustration of the people.
In summation, Lebanon is facing a severe crisis, and the government's bizarre decisions have only added to the chaos. The recent time change has caused widespread confusion and inconvenience, leaving many people struggling to adjust to the new time. The economic crisis has had a severe impact on the country's citizens, with many struggling to make ends meet. The political instability has led to a dysfunctional government that is unable to address the country's problems.
It is time for the government to take responsibility for its actions and work towards finding a solution to the country's problems. Only then can Lebanon hope to overcome its crisis and move towards a brighter future.
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