Viking_Yearbook_78

16 CLAUDE "I am Lebanese first, Arab second." "The town in Lebanon where I live, Douwar, has 1300 people. We are all related. We all, all 1300, have the last name of Sakr." From this environment of close ethnic ties comes Claude Sakr, a 21 year-old student of structural civil engineering. He must earn his master's degree in order to meet the country's license requirements, after which he hopes to gain experience as a company employee for a few years. Ultimately, Claude's goal is to form his own business. " However small, I want my own company. I don't like to get orders." Adjustment to American culture has not been difficult for Claude. "Education is much more difficult in Lebanon. We have our native Arabic language, but we must learn either French or English in school from age three on." Male-temale relationships are much less strict in Lebanon than in other Middle Eastern societies. " I have a girlfriend here. In Lebanon we date, just like here. We have lots of parties . And American women and Lebanese women are very much alike. Lebanese women work just like American women do. " But there is a difference. American women remain more active when they are old . Like my landlady here. She is 70 and plays sports! You don 't see that in my country." Claude is not alone in a strange land among strangers. A Christian, he is a member of the Maronite Catholic Rite . A devout follower of his faith , he attends services every Sun– day at the local Portland parish , St. Sharbel. Most of the parishioners are of Lebanese or Syrian descent, and parts of the service are spoken in Arabic, as well as Aramaic, the language of Jesus. " I believe in Jesus. I believe about Mohammad. What is important for me is to believe in God." In reflecting over the civil strife of his country, Claude's opinions transcend religious and cultural differences. " The young people in Lebanon , they tolerate differences in religion . I respect the Muslim religion. The older people, for now, they would not accept inter-marriage. " Although Claude is Christian, he holds hope that his fellow countrymen , Christian or Muslim, might feel as he does: " I am Lebanese first, Arab second."