The sound of the calm bullet that the pioneers of a café had been seeking on the famous Hamra Street (Downtown Beirut) last Friday morning broke.
The bullet was fired from a pistol carried by the Lebanese citizen "Ali", who chose to shoot himself after he left behind 3 clear messages; The first is a Lebanese flag, the second is an official statement stating that his criminal record is free of any crimes, and the third is the phrase "I am not a disbeliever", without which he had knowledge and evidence to confirm the political message behind his suicide decision.
The "Ali" suicide incident rocked Lebanese society, as it was one of 4 suicides that Lebanon has known in the past few days, but the "Ali" incident was the most severe, as protesters interacted with it in the street, as activists, politicians and celebrities interacted through the communication platforms, and they responded to the # I am not a disbeliever in many terms, including: "Hunger is an infidel," and "a politician is a killer."
"I am not an infidel infidel hunger Bs"
last words by a young man before he shoots himself
suicides in front of the Hamra branch Aldanken Donuts in Beirut
The young man committed suicide this morning in the middle of Hamra Street. He found on his chest a sheet reading "I am not a disbeliever, but hunger is a disbeliever," and he cried out: "Lebanon is free and independent before he shoots himself." pic.twitter.com/9rQHrUhejk
- Rama (@ 7orryya98) July 3, 2020
Nobody dies of hunger
Others have laughed at phrases recently echoed by Lebanese politicians, among them a phrase by Lebanese President Michel Aoun that "nobody dies of hunger."
Experts believe that the recent suicide cases in Lebanon gave an indication that the economic and living crisis that is afflicting the country has crossed the red lines for many Lebanese, who are suffering under the weight of high prices, poverty and unemployment, at a time when these people see that there is a blockage on the horizon on any solutions Possible, at least for the time being.
The past few days have recorded several suicides, which are reported to be linked to the social and living hardship experienced in the country.
A new suicide a little while ago by citizen Khalil. J in the city of Tire (Al-Hosh) due to the seizure of his money and accumulated debts 🖤
Lord, your kindness will burn the heart.
B-All Beat All 😢 # Lebanon_ is dying pic.twitter.com/cHSHtH26sR
- Zeina H. Ay Reply (@blackmirrorefil) July 4, 2020
Social depression leads to suicide
Commenting on the escalation of this phenomenon, counselor and psychotherapist Maysoon Hamza says that the economic and living pressures experienced by individuals in society may be accumulations that increase the level of depression; Thus you may reach suicide.
Maysoon Hamzah told Al-Jazeera Net that not every person who suffers from pessimism or distress may commit suicide, noting that this act is among people who have blocked their ways, and are trying to find another solution that is satisfying their ego by resorting to suicide.
And she continued that the suicides do not suddenly do what they did, rather they are preceded by accumulated dark signals and thoughts, interspersed with a certain pressure or distress that makes the individual unable to explain what happens as a result of the different responsibilities imposed on him.
And she saw that the economic distress enters its psychological dimension in what is known as the safety system of the individual, noting that the threat of this system increases depression, and brings people to despair.
Ali has not committed suicide. Ali has been killed. #I_mash_kafir pic.twitter.com/iAJDbyQWpU
- Rayne choumane (@ RayaneSh23) July 3, 2020
Social catastrophe
In this context, Adib Nehme, a development expert, believes that the occurrence of suicides as a result of social crisis and difficult conditions is a very dangerous indicator.
He considered that suicides constitute the tip of the iceberg, stressing that the authority’s mistake is focusing on the financial and economic situations, and neglecting the social effects of this crisis.
A blessing to Al-Jazeera Net said that the social crisis is complicated, which foreshadows an explosion, some of which were signs of popular protests, anger, suicides and other phenomena.
He pointed out that the proposed government plan for reform does not seriously address social conditions, considering that the proposed economic measures increase the worsening social reality.
A more realistic justice record # I_mash_kafir pic.twitter.com/Yhjqdzm5uk
- Falafel 🧆 🇱🇧 (@FalafelOfficial) July 3, 2020
Poverty rates are rising, and
according to Naama, exchange rate inflation means hitting citizens ’incomes, and what is being said about a trend to reduce the number of public sector employees and reduce salaries and pensions; It hits the poor and middle classes, and he said, "There is a social catastrophe, stressing that government policies will expand impoverishment operations."
Naama said that the economic collapse will take place when disputes prevail over the way of dealing with the ruling political system, which hinders finding solutions, and affects the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for assistance.
The World Bank estimates an increase in poverty rates in Lebanon by 50% by the end of this year, at a time when some regions are witnessing popular protests denouncing the deteriorating living conditions, the high exchange rate of the US dollar against the Lebanese pound, and the rising cost.
In light of the accumulated crises that Lebanon is suffering, the concerns of many Lebanese families accumulate with them as a result of the crisis in their country, while the solutions proposed by the government have not succeeded to stop the continuous deterioration of the situation.