I suspect that for many people, Hariri's presence in Lebanese life and politics was taken for granted. He was there as an economic icon with much credit going to him for the reconstruction of downtown Beirut – an area that many have come to love despite their objections to the politics behind its reconstruction. He was also there as a political icon of post-war Lebanese politics (with Hariri also receiving credit for brining Lebanon out of war into what is now the 'post-war' era). But it seems that his economic and political face comprises what came out in the media, probably because of the always-charged political environment in Lebanon and the region. While no one was ever doubtful of his generosity, either personally or through him many charitable initiatives, it seems that since his assassination last Monday (February 14), the voices of the voiceless have finally come out in Lebanese and international media, indicating how much Hariri has touched people's lives. This past week, the poor and marginal communities, those who rely on his charities for weekly and monthly subsidies in food, those whose children were able to get an education because of his scholarship funds, and those who needed urgent medical assistance, could finally let it all pour out.

I dare not speak for the people of Lebanon, but the outpouring of grief in the country, and the deep, deep sense of loss, and the coming-together of a entire nation, has moved many of us to the extent that something needed to be said (even if only to get something off of our chest). The bombing that took the lives of Hariri and his companions, and has gravely wounded MP Bassil Fleyhan, brought back memories of war that Lebanon thought it had passed. People again feel fear, and are concerned about the near future of the country. Much of the political discussion now hovers around the idea that slowly by slowly this vulnerable country is being dragged back into war. Remembering the agonies war is natural, be repeating it is something that people here will not allow to happen again. At the Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue, we are working to explore and reflect on 'the right to peace' as an integral and primary human right. There is no better place to think about and work on such issues as in Lebanon, hoping that what takes place here may spill-over into region and bring about community-wide peace.

There is much to be said, but no words can describe the sense of shock, loss and shame that this nation feels for having taken for granted the presence of such people as Rafik al-Hariri and others and not safeguarded them more. I suspect some here may be thinking 'we let it happen' and others must be wondering how the precious things in life (even life itself) can be taken away in the briefest of instances. Others must be wondering 'who are these cruel-hearted people in our midst who can change the course of a nation by their hate?' Many questions remain unanswered, but for all of us, the biggest puzzle in the aftermath of this devastating crime is 'how we take things form granted'. How can we cherish life, and all it wonders, without clinging onto it so much? How can we guard the moderates in our midst, those upon which safe, secure, prosperous nations are founded and sustained? Is there a lesson to be learned here at this time of sorrow? Can people be comfortable enough, as individuals and as a community, to live in peace without taking it for granted? I think the most significant lesson here is, perhaps, personal.