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The publication of Lebanese leader Walid Jumblatt's memoirs titled 'Destiny in the East... From Civil War to Fragile Peace' was not just an ordinary account of absurd wars imposed by historical facts and the process of human jostling for influence and survival; rather, it also included a series of intensive lessons he wanted to disseminate among Arab generations for reflection. He is an avid reader of history, from which he draws many strategies for managing his sect's affairs or repositioning according to new challenges. Just as he inherited his family's setbacks, he also learned from its wisdom. His father, Kamal Jumblatt, once said: 'To be Lebanese means, above all, that you must understand who you are, and what Lebanon is.'

Walid Jumblatt has always been known for his concise and dense statements, but his foray into storytelling and detailing narratives is intriguing to all journalists and politicians interested in modern history, its eras and challenges.

Jumblatt also supplemented his book with TV episodes in which he recounted some stories not included in the book, along with many anecdotes and spontaneous moments, as well as detailed accounts of the history of the struggle among Lebanese leaderships. But what is important in all this that he presented, and at this particular time?

Jumblatt managed to overcome the embarrassment that some Lebanese leaders conspired to impose on him, as he presented the history of his wars clearly and with great courage. He is, as Professor Samir Atallah puts it: 'The most famous Druze since Sultan Pasha al-Atrash. He descends from a minority sect and leads, like his father, the national movement across all sects. His political influence surpasses the stages Lebanon has gone through since the civil war, including the "Mountain War," i.e., the leadership battle between the Maronites and the Druze. Walid Jumblatt imposed a permanent presence on the Lebanese scene that never waned for a moment. This presence is always Lebanese, particularly Arab, and international when necessary, through membership in the Socialist International. His opponents say he is fickle. That is his most important secret... i.e., his political acumen and survival through Lebanese storms. As for his constants, they are like the mountain.'

The other important matter in my view is his distinction between his secularism, which he was raised on in upbringing and education, and his determination to preserve the family legacy and maintain this Druze sect. Hence, his political Druze identity is what has sustained the Druze community. He did not conceal his loss in some rounds, but at the same time spoke of the victories and miraculous alliances that enabled him to achieve his goal of survival. In other words, his Druze identity is authentic with a national dimension; he married a Christian and two Sunnis, is a descendant of his grandfather Shakib Arslan, and built a mosque in Moukhtara named after his grandfather. The point is that instinctive sectarian meanings are not in his field dictionary in the worlds of war and politics; rather, he takes them in the broader sense: the preservation of the overall bond of the Druze.

The idea behind narrating history is not to bequeath grudges; this is an argument used by some Lebanese leaders to escape the necessary and important confessions after all this history. However, the most important idea is to bequeath to generations a set of documents, events, and difficulties, from which they can then embark towards broader horizons beyond the walls of ideological sectarianism that undermines the concept of the state, erodes the concept of social contract, and complicates mutual understanding within a single society. In conclusion: What Walid Jumblatt presented is useful for researchers and those interested; therefore, he called on other leaders to speak about those difficult stages and rugged journeys without hesitation or reluctance. Current generations listen to enrich their historical experiences. Stories of history do not bequeath grudges, as some claim; rather, training people to hear their history reinforces their competence and ability to see reality in its broader context and anticipate the future they wish for and dream of.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat

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