Kilna Bil Hayy

For too long the squabbles of petty politicians and pundits have been perceived as emblematic of the sectarian divisions within Lebanese society. Does this dialogue, or lack there of, really represent demographic interactions within Lebanon? Search for Common Ground believes actual Lebanese people have far more productive and nuanced relationships with one another, and they hope to capture this through their new LBC Series Kilna Bil Hayy. Kilna Bil Hayy follows the lives of six Lebanese children, all from different ethnic and religious communities, living in the same apartment complex. These children work together to build communal pride and problem solve, offering a more realistic and hopeful model of productive dialogue. Kilna Bil Hayy can be viewed on Saturdays on LBC.

Safadi Foundation USA will be providing brief profiles on the stars of the show, showcasing the actors own feelings in communication and peacebuilding.


Sally

How has your participation on this show changed your perceptions/attitudes about conflict resolution in Lebanon?

I used to have a complex with Shias. The program made me feel we are all people and we need to communicate with one another and talk to others because they are human beings just like us.


Why is it hard for Lebanese youth to understand each other? How does your show help bridge the difference?

Lebanese youth in our society and situation belong to their own political parties. People of different parties like Hizballah and those with Jumblatt will directly fight without looking at logic so this is a problem. The show is a message for these people to tell them that we are of different religions yet are the same and we need to help each other despite religions and parties.

What can Lebanese children teach adults about effective communication and compassionate understanding?

We can tell them that we are all the same despite our religions since we all worship God and that is what matters. If we keep the same way we will reach destruction and war so we should not follow our leaders blindly we must follow ourselves and our minds. This is what we can do. Talk to adults and make them understand.

What do all Lebanese children have in common?

Their love to God.

If you could give a wish list of anything you wanted to Lebanese political leaders, what would it say?

If I could ask politicians everything I want I would ask them to stop all political parties in Lebanon. I will ask leaders to cooperate together; nothing is worth differing about, not money, not power. I will also ask them bring back Lebanon that the world knows, its image in tourism. Bring it back the way it was in the past. It was better that way.


The Safadi Foundation USA would like to thank the Search for Common Ground, and the stars of Kilna Bil Hayy for their participation in these interviews.