Social Capital: Seeds of Friendship Growing into a National Symbol for Reconciliation

Humans are fundamentally symbolic beings. And nowhere is this seen better than in the so much needed reconciliation that our world need at this moment in hiistory.

The Institute of Middle East Studies

By Manal el-Tayar

Her voice quivered as she started speaking. One could sense how intimidating it must have felt for a twenty-year-old to address a crowd of religious leaders, politicians, ambassadors, civil society leaders, academicians and other notable delegates about her vision for a united Lebanon. As Alaa spoke, she glimpsed back a couple of times at Jennifer who stood by her. Jennifer’s beamin...