What’s not to love about Mashrou3 Leila?

The band, composed of former AUB students, has taken Beirut by storm over the last few years, developing a loyal, mostly eclectic following that appreciates the rawness of their indie music and the candor of their Lebanese words.

Who is Leila? God knows… Do they mean Leila a person or Leila a night? Who cares…

Either way, that project has caught the eyes of many.

Mashrou3 Leila sang to an enchanted full house at the 2010 Byblos International Festival. They celebrated their ongoing success with legions of fans at the launch party of their second album at the Beirut Hippodrome in 2011.

Their music cannot be easily labeled, though it is definitely not your typical Nancy Ajram repertoire. Their words are not censored, so you will hear the occasional curse word, and matters such as war, political assassinations, homosexuality, immigration and sectarianism will be openly discussed.

Leila has a big mouth.

Two albums already under their belt and so many memorable tunes to hum on any given day: from where it all began with Leila’s dance (Raksit Leila) to their skewed view on marriage (Fasateen), from their take on the “events” (3obwa) to their bashing of excessive security measures (3al 7ajez), from their sarcastic dismissal of gossiping (Latlit) to their emotional self-contemplative tune (Inni Mnee7)…

Mashrou3 Leila sing to vent. They sing for change. They raise money for good causes (over USD 20,000 raised to help AIDS patients in Lebanon). Their reach is global with concerts (Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Serbia, Jordan, Holland, France) and fans all around the world.

Are they controversial? Perhaps. Was I able to convince my friends to enjoy their music? No.

But one needs to venture out of a monochromatic lifestyle, look past differences and start to get to know “the other”

(isn’t this a timely piece of advice for Lebanese in general…)

For now, I invite you to enjoy some serious musical prowess coming from the heart of Beirut.

Quoting a Daily Star article:

“Lebanon clearly won’t be enough for the band, but they’d be nothing without it, and that’s not lost on them. No matter where they go, Beirut will always be Mashrou3 Leila’s first love”

Thank you Mashrou3 Leila for staying true to the core.

Thank you for that much-needed spark.

Thank you for keeping Beirut alive.

Dar El Akhdar

It’s called cardiac dysrhythmia…

It can be life-threatening…

Or simply annoying…

But it all boils down to electricity…

And you know what they say…

How love and electricity are one in the same…

Ask Barney Stinson…

His heart skipped a beat…

I know mine did when I saw my sweetheart…

Tripoli: you are my sweetheart.

Dar El Akhdar

Without you, I would have probably missed out on the wonderful experience that was TEDxBeirut.

The first time I’ve heard of TED in general, was in the summer of 2008 in Istanbul (where I’ve met Dian during a pre-Masters summer program that helped us prepare our journey to the UK).

After watching a couple of videos I got hooked with the concept, the speakers and the contagious positive energy behind it all.

For those who are unfamiliar with the TED and TEDx concepts, here’s what you need to know:

• TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading” with inspirational figures delivering speeches and performances that summarize their passions and success stories

• TEDx is a program of local self-organized events that bring people and speakers together to share a TED-like experience ans share “Ideas Worth Spreading”

And today was the founding TEDxBeirut event: a full-day happening with speeches, food, social spaces for interaction – and loads of new and accomplished TEDsters!

I loved the talks of Katia Saleh, Yorgui Teyrouz, Reine Abbas, Halim Madi and especially Ziad Abi Chaker; I benefited from the talk of Michael Kouly and Mahmoud Natout on a personal and academic level; I was entertained by the erratic style of Arne Dietrich; and I was impressed by the technological achievements and musical prowess of Bassam Jalgha.

But the speech that made my day was the one delivered by Hassan Aziz. I was so proud of my high school buddy taking center stage and receiving a well-deserved public acknowledgement to his immense talent and cross-Atlantic accomplishments through his companies DearMinds and Graphics eMotion.

I am lucky to know someone as passionate and genuine as Hassan as he helps me keep reaching for the stars. Kudos to a job well done! (now that’s TED material right there :D)

This event was nothing short of amazing on so many levels:

• I was fortunate to be part of a fired-up team of volunteers who made this event possible
• I felt a beautiful collective energy of like-minded individuals hungry for change, growth and success
• I finally managed to meet Abir and Boudy two people I hold in high regard :)
• I’ve had the chance to met a true role model of mine: Zeina Awaydate - a smart, enthusiastic and ambitious young Muslim woman who made Lebanon proud in the first season of “Mujaddidun“

For those who didn’t make it today, expect some videos soon on the dedicated YouTube channel. If you’d like to take part of future events, make sure to follow TEDxBeirut on Facebook and Twitter to receive all the updates.

Wishing you all a wonderful and inspiring TED-esque journey in life :)

Dar El Akhdar

Ramadan this year was an opportunity for me to discover a new mosque in beautiful Ras Beirut, located in a prime yet unexpected location near the corniche.

The Al Rahman (الرّحمن) mosque, open since February 2010 in the Caracas area, is a beautiful example of a small, cozy mosque embracing modern esthetics and architecture:

The Al Rahman mosque – a modern haven of spirituality.

Ramadan Karim

Dar El Akhdar 

I have a mistress.

I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it.

She captivated my heart a few years back.

She helps my soul wander in a sea of tranquillity.

I fall in love with her every time I see her.

Feels like love at first sight.

Every single time.

Last night was no exception.

She cooks for me.

With love.

She sings for me.

With passion.

She dazzles me with her traditional beauty.

Beauty seldom found in today’s cynical world.

I’m sorry, Beirut, but I have a mistress.

I am in awe of her.

I try to see her as often as I can.

And when I am with you, I think of her.

I love you Byblos.

Dar El Akhdar

Haaaaave you met the gang?

Public modes of transportation in Lebanon are as respected as New Jersey is in New York (or so I’m told by American pop culture – special shout-out to Ted Mosby and “How I Met Your Mother”!)

Although I would love to be a regular public transportation commuter, reduce my personal carbon emission footprint and de-clutter the streets of Beirut, I find myself walking or driving to get myself somewhere (refer to ‘Pedestrian Advertising‘ post)

A typical Lebanese taxi

Pity the old Mercedes-Benz taxis that are more reminiscent of the civil war than of efficient, headache-free public commuting… Seriously: do I have to negotiate my ride with every single driver out there, and pray for him to beneficently “accept” taking me to my destination? What is supposed to be a “service” turns out to be a nightmare more often than usual (check out the personal horror story of @meinlebanon with a Lebanese taxi driver or @MayaZankoul’s satirical take on the Lebanese taxi situation)

And what about those large empty tin cans with wheels roaming in our narrow streets and racing each other that we call “buses”? I’ve lived in the UK and often used buses for short- and long-distance commuting… These can be called buses! I’ve actually taken the bus several times in Lebanon and I feel sorry for people who count on them for their transportation: they’re unreliable, noisy, polluting our not-so-clean air and putting at risk public and road safety thanks to reckless drivers.

But they can be really cool to look at

(the buses – not the drivers…)

Lebanon has experimented with forms of bus advertising but real creative examples can be found elsewhere around the world – hope you enjoy the below sample!

Dar El Akhdar

Hello old friend...

Everybody seems to be on the lookout for the best burger in town these days - and so am I (special shout-out to @plus961, @GinoRaidy and blogbaladi for their recent reviews that have inspired me)

What can I say? I have fallen early on in my life for the cooked patty sandwich placed inside a sliced bread roll, often served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese and other condiments (thank you for the mouth-watering definition Wikipedia…)

Ever since the good’old days of Juicy Burger and Al Dewan up till Johnny Rockets (before it became a public parking in Downtown Beirut – sad) I enjoy going out to eat a nice, juicy burger.

Classic Cheese CBJ burger

And in today’s competitive Lebanese restaurant market – where specialized burger restaurants are mushrooming around town, I have always had a front-runner favorite: Classic Burger Joint.

Set aside the fact that their burgers are one of the most appealing (great bread buns!) and one of the tastiest I’ve ever had (swiss’n'mushroom to-die-for!), the CBJ brand has been carefully developed so that you have high chances of remembering it and becoming its ambassador.

First off, the brand identity: CBJ’s brand identity (great job by WonderEight) is all about the color yellow – warm, joyful, energizing and a definite attention-grabber. Coupled with simple black, the CBJ colors are ones you cannot miss.

CBJ Sodeco

Second is the overall brand look-and-feel: it’s fresh, funky and engaging. Look no further than the actual joint: everywhere you look – from the big mirror on display to the open kitchen layout and the actual set of packaging – is a consistent reminder of the brand. The place feels authentic and unpolished – and the cozy, casual diner feel of it probably helps in forging such an impression. Did I mention how authentic everything feels as well?

CBJ packaging set

Finally, there’s the passion factor: CBJ helps out the Lebanese Red Cross by donating 1,000 LBP to the Lebanese Red Cross with every Classic Cheese order (great initiative), the waiters are friendly and approachable (rarely have I seen so many smiling faces on so many repeated occasions), and people are ready to wait 20 to 30 minutes outside to get in! (there are no reservations at CBJ, and the wait is something I actually enjoy!)

The Twitter invitation

Today, I gave Burger Nation a try after they’ve asked me to judge the difference with CBJ for myself on Twitter; it was sadly disappointing (despite being located in the vibrant Hamra area, a big plus in comparison to their competitors). So until further notice, Classic Burger Joint reigns on top of the burger chain in my book – because let’s face it: not everybody will agree with me.

CBJ Jal El Dib

But from a branding perspective, this is why Classic Burger Joint is my favorite Lebanese burger brand: because whenever I crave a burger, I first think of CBJ; and whenever a dinner night out is being planned, I always manage to throw CBJ as a suggestion to my friends; and so far, I have yet to taste a better end-product and experience a more enjoyable dining experience.

That, in a nutshell, is what a successful burger restaurant brand is all about – and I am hooked. Kudos CBJ: keep it up!

And good luck for the others in raising their bar – because all burger lovers in Lebanon would benefit from your efforts at coming up with better tasting burgers at equally competitive prices! (seriously: please try to keep your prices competitive – in downwards fashion :)

UPDATE Tried out Mrs. Robinson and it was a great “upscale casual” burger dining experience. The brand is really interesting (particularly in terms of brand story and visual identity). For more information check out Gino’s review and my comment about my experience here

Dar El Akhdar

Man window shopping

Here’s a confession: I LOVE window shopping.

Mind you – I learned to love this hobby because I often don’t have the cash to buy all the nice, extravagant things out there.

And believe me, in a town like Beirut – where the middle class is being crushed by a savage jungle of an economy, there’s a lot of window shoppers out there.

But I digress.

Mass consumerism exemplified

It’s not the first time that I showcase a critical viewpoint on mass consumerism (refer to “Bathroom Advertising” and “Ramadan: The Long-Awaited” posts). But guess what? Islam provides a unique response to this rampant facet of modern economic life (FYI – Walt Whitman Rostow’s take-off economic model indicates that a traditional society’s modernization process ends when it reaches the age of mass consumption)

It’s called zuhud.

Known in English as asceticism (lifestyle characterized by the practice of self-discipline and abstinence from worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious/spiritual goals), zuhud should not be interpreted as complete shutdown from modern society and earthly existence (dunya), or adopting a hermitic lifestyle. Rather, zuhud stands for “holding dunya in your hand, but not letting it into your heart“. Sadly, Muslims around the world today are suffering from dunya-dependence, like they have had earlier in Islamic civilization:

“Work and sacrifice were the building blocks of the Islamic civilization – not the palaces, art, and consumerism lifestyle. Those who came after the first three generations of Islam forgot these two ingredients and the Muslim civilization declined”

A tool of zuhd

Is it a lost cause? Not really: one can attempt to adopt a minimalistic lifestyle (focusing on “needs” first), give more than take, and spread the simplicity message in his inner circle. I can tell you it’s an uphill battle for me, but every once in a while I remember a hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that puts it all into perspective:

“A day will come where my ummah will love five and forget five: they will love the dunya – and forget the akhira; they will love money – and forget judgement; they will love creatures – and forget the Creator; they will love sin – and forget repentance; they will love palaces – and forget graves”

Refer to “Zuhd: An Antidote to Consumerism Culture” for more insights – and let me know what are your thoughts: how are you coping with the consumer urges of today’s world?

Dar El Akhdar

Mirror advertising in O'Hare Airport

I recently went through an article discussing the installation of mirror ads in the public bathrooms of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport:

“The ads take up most of the mirror, then shrink to a corner when a person approaches. Advertisers can track effectiveness by how often, and for how long, ads are viewed”

This technological prowess is the latest addition in the world of advertising: it can display either still images or videos – and is smart enough to track how many people stand in front of the mirror and for how long via a sensor.

But did we have to go there?

I’ve always considered the bathroom as one of the last sanctuaries of privacy in this modern world: granted, it is a frowned-upon location because of the infamous activities and olfactive special effects associated with it… But advertising companies are telling us via this advanced technology that “your business is our business” (if you know what I mean). And besides, advertising is already there in the bathroom with the multiple brands of products staring at us, reminding us of our acute addiction to capitalism and mass consumerism (deeeep…)

Imagine a day with such technology invading elevators, building halls, fitting rooms…

I hope not to see the day.

In the meantime, enjoy the below alternate forms of bathroom advertising (including what, I have to admit, is an awesome Polaroid initiative in Brazil – where mirrors have actually been replaced with cameras to promote the instant photo!)

What do you think? Are we ready for full-fledge bathroom advertising in Lebanon?

Dar El Akhdar

Chile

Chile gets it.

The narrowest country on earth wasn’t narrow-sighted in branding, as it understood the importance of having a coherent brand identity that a) citizens would be proud of and b) would place the country in a good light on the global stage.

After all:

“[A government's] logo will be spread across every public department in the country. It will be the letterhead of messages to be sent around the world. A logo is a country image matter. [Any] government should take this really seriously” (Brand New website)

Initial logo

The Government of Chile initially redesigned their logo by returning to the coat of arms symbol after first having a monstrosity of a logo (left) reminiscent of my Tetris days on the Nintendo Gameboy.

Coat of arms logo

However, the coat of arms logo (designed by local Chilean agency Hambre – right) was negatively perceived by the Chilean public opinion, partly for design reasons (e.g. illegible print on symbol when scaled down) but mainly for being too reminiscent of the dictatorship era under Augusto Pinochet in the 1970s and 80s. Despite serving as an official nation symbol as per the Chilean Constitution, let’s face it: the written motto on the coat of arms does not help – “Por la razón o la fuerza” (By right or might)

New logo

Currently, the government introduced a new more thoroughly redesigned identity; it was developed by the same agency that worked on the coat of arms, but the approach was sleeker and more modern this time around. The coat of arms symbol is still there, but the national Chilean colors have taken the front seat.

Developed sub-brands

The rebranding effort was also holistic, with the development of similar sub-brands that represent each ministry of the government and the relevant secretariats of states.

Check the following video that introduces this new identity:

Also check the Chilean government’s website as well for the digital application of this revamped identity.

“Felicitaciones Chile” for a branding job well done.

Dar El Akhdar