Halim Shebaya

Halim Shebaya is a Beirut-based analyst and researcher. He teaches in the School of Arts and Sciences at the Lebanese American University and has worked on social and political affairs for a number of local and international organisations. His articles have appeared in the World Post, Huffington Post, Al-Jazeera English, Jadaliyya, Legal Agenda, Annahar, Assafir, and Al Akhbar. He holds an M.Div. in Theology (NEST), M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies (SOAS), and an L.L.M. in Public International Law (Nottingham). Find him on Twitter @halimshebaya

The European Court has normalized 'Hijabophobia'

What did the European Court’s ruling of March 14 say in the case of Samira Achbita’s dismissal by G4S because she wanted to wear the headscarf to work?

By Halim Shebaya

/ 15 Mar 2017

Arab world’s first ordained female pastor is historic

Rola Sleiman made history. She now carries the title of ‘Reverend’ of the Presbyterian Church, the first woman to be ordained in a Middle Eastern Church on February 26, 2017 in Tripoli, Lebanon.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 4 Mar 2017

Marine Le Pen in Lebanon: mission accomplished?

Where to start in discussing Marine Le Pen’s visit to Lebanon? The French “Trump without the crazy” got her first meeting with a head of state and performed a successful media stunt.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 22 Feb 2017

Sir Nigel Rodley versus Donald Trump on torture

The novelty and danger posed by the new US president is the fact that he either does not know, or does not care, that the prohibition of torture is one that is considered to be fundamental.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 1 Feb 2017

Trump can't simply delete a dangerous campaign

Attacking your opponent is one thing during the campaign, but attacking entire groups has far-reaching effects that do not get ‘deleted’ so quickly.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 14 Nov 2016

Lebanon's foreign minister shouldn't celebrate Trump. Here's why

Lebanon should not celebrate any foreign president or leader who espouses “poisonous rhetoric” that affects a large portion of its population.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 10 Nov 2016

On Israel flattening Beirut: there is nothing new under the sun

The infamous Haaretz op-ed restates an 11-year-old thesis known as the "Dahiya Doctrine," developed and implemented during the 2006 Lebanon War and the 2014 Gaza assault.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 22 Feb 2016

Can Hariri coexist with a strong Christian president in Lebanon?

Hizbullah Chief Nasrallah is unwavering in his support for Aoun. Now, following Geagea’s endorsement of Aoun, can Hariri accept the Lebanese Christians’ preferred candidate?

By Halim Shebaya

/ 1 Feb 2016

Saudi executions: beyond the numbers

The inability to recognise an affront to the rule of law, regardless of the identity of the perpetrator, reveals the region’s dire state of affairs, politically, morally, and intellectually. Arabic

By Halim Shebaya

/ 8 Jan 2016

Trump and Islamophobia: discrimination fuels terror

For Trump’s supporters, what they believe to be the ‘truth’ is a matter of no small significance. Now, and as a matter of urgency, an effective way in which to counter prevalent xenophobic public opinion must be found.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 13 Dec 2015

From Beirut to Paris, we are all hypocrites and selective grievers

In legitimately condemning selective grief, Lebanon (and the world) forgets that it selectively grieves all the time. We must acknowledge our ineptitude at dealing with human suffering and show solidarity with all. عربي

By Halim Shebaya

/ 16 Nov 2015

Lebanon's foreign minister under fire: a comment on Gebran Bassil's real estate holdings

In order to promote accountability, the Lebanese public and journalists have to abide by a code of conduct that respects the right to a fair trial and the right to a defence.

By Halim Shebaya

/ 11 Nov 2015