Hizbullah organizes first Lebanese environmentally-friendly summer camp
source: Daily Star, 21-7-2005.
summary: Group aims to introduce ideas of resistance based on `combating Western intentions to undermine our principles, dogma and ethics`
NABATIEH: In an attempt to share the concerns of the new generation and promote interaction between local youths and the resistance, Hizbullah officials organized the group`s first Lebanese summer camp, aimed at helping Lebanon`s younger generation answer questions about personal social, religious, and national issues.
The "Association of Youths" camp has been set up over an 8 dunums area along the bank of the Litani River, on the Mazraat Alman and Deir Serian slopes, in Nabatieh.
This pristine area was previously best known as a demarcation line of the area of Lebanon occupied by "Israel" during its 25-year occupation of the South, which ended in 2000.
To mark the end of the camp`s fourth session, which kicked off at the beginning of June, the organizers drove a delegation of reporters to the site for a closer look at the camp`s activities and goals.
Despite being designed and installed in accordance with the scout`s tradition, the camp does not follow scout laws. It is fully equipped to provide a comfortable living environment and facilitate cultural, religious and educational forums.
A medical team from the Islamic Health Committee is also regularly present at the camp.
Describing the camp, its director Haidar Wehbe said a team of experts had succeeded in constructing the site in only 20 days; the land was leveled, retaining walls were built, water closets were set up, as were 12 tents. A soccer pitch, a warehouse, a kitchen, a place for prayer, a Roman theater, a swimming pool, an equitation ground and a security room were also built.
All construction was done using environmentally friendly methods that respect nature and preserve public safety.
According to Wehbe, the camp, which will come to an end in September, is prepared to receive 3,000 participants, all aged between 15 and 25 years.
He said the daily costs of running the camp was around $3,000, which is all paid for by Hizbullah, in light of the government`s failure to provide any such services.
The general supervisor Fouad Hanjoul dismissed suggestions the camp only welcomed members who conformed to party, regional or sectarian criteria.
He instead insisted Hizbullah aims to provide a clear and noble message to the youths, who often show a lack of seriousness in their daily life.
"As a resistance group, we are not isolated from people, but wish to share with the youths in their problems," he said, adding that "although they might not wish to follow our ideas or practices, we remain happy that we have delivered our message."
Regarding education in the camp, education supervisor Moussa Zaher said the aim of the camp was to introduce ideas of resistance based on "combating Western intentions to undermine our principles, dogma and ethics."
He suggested the new generation was different from the previous one, which had taken up arms and proved victorious in its struggle against the "Zionist enemy."
Zaher described the youths of today as often guided by superficial impulses, saying that the camp`s program tries as much as possible to build up the young peoples` personalities in the hope of tackling recklessness and bridging the gap between past and present generations.
Participant Mohammed Ahmad Mazraani, 16, from Rihan, praised the program which he said was crammed with religious and cultural information as well as fully democratic circles of discussion.
