Beirut Explosion

Photo: Instagram.com/franciscus
After his month-long summer vacation, Pope Francis made a public appearance on Wednesday, the eve of the second anniversary of the deadly Beirut blast. “My thoughts go to the families of the victims of that disastrous event and to the dear Lebanese people. I pray so that each one can be consoled by faith and comforted by justice and by truth, which can never be hidden,” said Pope Francis in his weekly statement.
He added that he sincerely hopes international communities will aid Lebanon in this strenuous time, making for the rebirth of the soulful city of Beirut once again. The Pope concluded his speech by saying that with external help, he hopes to see a “renaissance” in the land of Lebanon, where people from all surroundings and religions will be able to live together in harmony.
The tragedy happened two years ago today, on August 4, 2020, when an abundance of ammonium nitrate stored at the Beirut port detonated, leading to the death of hundreds. While the disaster led to the loss of lives, it also caused the country billions worth of property loss while leaving over 300,000 people homeless. As the loss of lives and capital piled on, this deadly blast holds a record for one of the biggest nuclear explosions in world history.
As the Lebanese authorities investigated further into the explosion, while many have been accused, no real suspects or evidence have yet been found. This judicial investigation has been on hold for over eight months, while those charged have refused to attend hearings. As time progresses, the families of those afflicted are still waiting for justice and closure. The political situation appears to have gathered concern, as the Pope was scheduled to visit Lebanon in June but withheld his trip due to the conditions in the country.
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Qasimi Fall 2017. Courtesy of Qasimi
Emirati menswear label Qasimi helmed by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi is reissuing its renowned Don’t Shoot T-shirt in a charitable effort to raise funds for Lebanon. During August and September, the brand has pledged to donate all proceeds from online sales of the shirts to Save the Kids International. The charity organization has been working in Lebanon since 1953 to secure shelter, education, protection, food security and rights for children. It estimates that up to one million children – both Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees – across the country are in need of urgent assistance.
The Don’t Shoot T-shirt is a nod to the ones originally worn by journalists in Lebanon during the 1982 war. Reporters were given a white shirt bearing the text “Don’t Shoot” in English, French, and Arabic in bright red lettering to make them easier to identify and protect them from harm.
This is not the first time the T-shirt has been used to raise money for the Lebanese. Following the deadly port explosion in Beirut on August 4 last year, the London-based label pledged all proceeds from the item would go to the Lebanese Red Cross. The only change Qasimi has made this time is to add its name under the original wording.

The cotton garment was first released in the London-based brand’s fall 2017 collection. In 2019, however, Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia’s Spring 2020 collection for Vetements garnered attention in the Arab world for featuring the same T-shirt, with many critiquing the brand for seeming to appropriate the issues raised by the conflict. Late brand founder Khalid Al Qasimi said that, apart from seeing an internationally-recognized brand prey on ideas of an emerging label, it is the context that he found disturbing. “I understand what they are doing,” he said, referring to Vetements. “It’s about consumerism. But it’s a complete F-U to the region as well. I used that print to highlight the plight of something going on in the Middle East. For Vetements to use it in such a flippant and provocative manner; I don’t think they realize what these words mean to us Arabs.”
The brand is now spearheaded by his twin sister Sheikha Hoor, who took over the reins following Al Qasimi’s death at the age of 39 in London in July 2019.
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The custom-made Elie Saab dress, worn by actor Emma Stone to the 2015 Oscars, is available at Sotheby’s To Beirut with Love auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has announced its plans for a charitable auction in order to raise funds for Beirut. The auction, titled To Beirut with Love will feature a handful of extraordinary items, including a custom Elie Saab dress, worn by award-winning actor Emma Stone to the 2015 Oscars.
The British-founded auction house has partnered with two nonprofit organizations, Creatives for Lebanon and Art for Beirut to develop the To Beirut with Love initiative, in order to support those affected by the Beirut explosion. The sale will be open for bidding from December 7 to December 15, where a number of handpicked donations from iconic artists, celebrities, and fashion and jewelry designers will be on offer.
The star of the auction is noted to be a breathtaking gown by Lebanese couturier, Elie Saab. The pale-green sequined dress features an open back and a thigh-high slit and was worn by Stone, at the Oscars ceremony in 2015 where she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Birdman. The stunning gown is estimated to sell for between £20,000 to £30,000 ($26,700 to $40,025).
A silk haute couture gown designed by Egyptian actor Sherihan, worn in her Thousand and One Nights Fawazeer show in 1987, is available in the To Beirut with Love auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Other remarkable fashion items include singer Madonna‘s matador-inspired outfit created by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran; and Geri Halliwell’s sequinned number worn in the music video for the Spice Girl‘s debut single Wannabe. Additionally, a silk haute couture gown designed by Egyptian icon Sherihan, for her Thousand and One Nights Fawazeer show in 1987, has been donated alongside Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi‘s unique sky-blue embellished dress from her wardrobe collection.
Woven yellow gold My Dior cuff, designed by Victoire de Castellane. Photo: Courtesy of Sotherby’s

Leading the jewelry line-up is the unmissable My Dior cuff and British-artist Damien Hirst‘s gold pill bracelet with diamond skull. The eye-catching gold My Dior bracelet, designed by artistic director of Dior Joaillerie, Victoire de Castellane, features a dazzling array of diamonds and colored gemstones and is expected to generate at least £30,000 to £50,000 ($40,025 to $66,700). Elsewhere Hirst’s playful bracelet, created in 2015, reflects the theme of pharmaceuticals, which is often present in contemporary artist’s work.
Among many of the captivating artworks is a photograph taken from the Suit Egyptienne series by leading Lebanese photographer Fouad Elkoury. British supermodel Naomi Campbell has also donated one of her favorite portraits, an image of herself shot by photographers Rocco Lapasta and Charles DeCaro, that is estimated to sell for £3,000 to £5,000 ($4,000 to $6,671).
Portrait of model Naomi Campbell, photographed by Rocco Lapasta and Charles DeCaro. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has confirmed that all the proceeds from the auction will be shared among five charities that are providing relief to Beirut following the tragic port explosion in August. The five charities chosen by the initiative are Nusaned, Beit El Baraka, Baytna Baytak, Al Fanar, and House of Christmas.
“Lebanon is home to an artistic community whose contributions to the cultural landscape cannot be overstated,” says Sotheby’s chairman for the Middle East, Edward Gibbs. “The explosion in the port of Beirut this summer sent shockwaves through the city and the world, impacting every sector of society in Lebanon with countless tales of loss, damage, and displacement. Sotheby’s has come together with our partners to host the auction, To Beirut with Love, to provide much-needed relief and funds to aid the healing process.”
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