I kid you not! This shot is not in any way a photoshop toyed-around snapshot. It exists in Zouk Mekael and you are only able to spot it if you're going through a bus or a very high level vehicle.... And, disturbingly, it does offer a very raw and ironic glimpse of the state of many things - including religion and commercialism, fast food glorification, and the overall juxtaposition and contradiction that only cities know how to orchestrate.
6 comments:
I used to love that Place as a kid! I don't think it's open anymore though.
I'm pretty sure there is another sign for this restaurant that advertises "Chinese and Japanese cuisine"-- I remember being puzzled as to why a pizzeria would also have Chinese and Japanese food...
religion is commercialism also by the way coz in this picture the shurch own all the shops in this building and theres a theater also downstairs .
well i hate that but u cant run away from the fact that religious power rules here .
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I love it heheh! Nice encounter
This mix of religion and trade is something that was quite common in the past. Before 19th century urbanism in Europe, many churches had shops underneath them or next to them, many of them belonging to these churches.
In the Middle East, the situation was pretty much the same. The old market in Jbeil is mostly part of a religious endowment par of the Sunni Waqf.
In downtown Beirut, several mosques had commercial interests (Al-Majidiyyeh and al-Dabbagha) underneath them. In Hamra, take a look at St Francis church.
This mix chocked no one in the past. Today, a common criticism seems to come from secular circles who base their argument on an odd reading of the new testament (Jesus driving the merchants out from the Temple).
Thanks a million for the comments "Worried Lebanese", and whereas I had no doubt whatsoever about the commercial prouesse of the clergy (All confessions combined), it was just the juxtaposition of the photo that made me laugh, one that is not apparent if one is driving a car, but only visible when taking a bus (Which I usually do because I do not drive any longer!)
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