When the government in Lebanon is not functioning and the solution to the raging chaos is not in sight, the social networks are inviting bizarre shows that indicate the depth of despair into which the land of cedars has fallen.
A local meditation guide, carried by Majid a-Nur, has in recent weeks become a network phenomenon that is hard to ignore - after declaring himself a prophet of a new religion.
In the videos, Nashat appears with a strange tattoo on his forehead and a wand in his hand, and next to him a famous astrologer named Carmen Shams.
Carried preacher with eyes closed to a vegetarian lifestyle and had already provoked the wrath of the Egyptians, when he said they could not join the new religion, and even threatened them that "they will experience wrath from heaven if they do not stop mocking him."
Street battles in Beirut, Photo: AFP
This is not the first time that the religious establishment in Lebanon has encountered people who have proclaimed themselves prophets of a new religion, but the virality of the videos, and especially the attention it has received in Egypt, has caused a great deal of concern among Sunni Mufti 'Abd al-Latif Darian.
The latter took action and instructed his men to file a complaint against the network star.
Against this background, Nashat may be tried on serious charges of contempt of religious ceremonies and acts that provoke ethnic conflicts, sentences that carry prison sentences of between a few months and four years.
Prophet, exploited or crazy?
One way or another, meanwhile, more and more pages are appearing on the Internet bearing the name of the prophet of the new religion.
Many of the surfers mock the yoga teacher, who claims to be a prophet, while others express sympathy with him and claim that he suffers from insanity.
There are even those who claim that the astrologer who accompanies him and is considered a network star herself, exploits Nashat to maintain her popularity, claims that she is of course outright dismissive.
As mentioned, Nashat's meteoric rise on social media occurs when Lebanon is in the midst of a political, economic and diplomatic crisis - which raises from the sorcerer the old fear of another civil war.
Last week it was the Sunni leader of the al-Mustaqbal (future) party, Saad Hariri, who declared a time-out from political life and called on his movement to prevent an all-out war.
Al-Mustaqbal officials have estimated that the party itself will not run in the Lebanese parliamentary elections, which are expected to take place in May.
The conflict with Saudi Arabia
In his retirement speech, Hariri blamed Iranian influence, national confusion and ethnic divide for not having a chance for Lebanon to recover.
On the other hand, the politician claimed that his desire to prevent a civil war forced on him compromises that hurt him.
Indeed, Arab commentators point out that it was precisely Hariri's conduct that harmed his status, and especially his agreement to a settlement in which Michel Aoun, Hezbollah's ally, was elected president.
According to them, this move undermined relations with Saudi Arabia, which continued to deteriorate during the Syrian civil war.
Saad Hariri, Photo: IP
Riyadh has not yet forgiven Beirut for the criticism leveled by the anti - war propaganda minister in Yemen and has since resigned, not least for Nasrallah's speech describing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a terrorist.
Against this background, the Sunni community is currently looking for a new leader who can represent them on the Lebanese field, one who will not be afraid to confront Hezbollah.
Even there, apparently, waiting for Christ.
And here, last Friday, Lebanese businessman Baha'i al-Hariri, Saad's older brother, hinted that he intends to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
In a televised speech, the 55-year-old Baha'i added that "with the help of partnership and solidarity he fought the campaign to return the homeland and the sovereignty of the homeland from its occupiers" and warned that "any misinformation or intimidation serves only the enemies of the nation".
In the way of the father or in the way of the brother
The brother holds more hostile positions toward Hezbollah and has previously accused the organization of terrorist activity and "betting on Lebanon in favor of narrow interests."
Among other things, he called on Perez to fire Hezbollah, which he claims poses a threat to all Lebanese.
Saudi Arabia will certainly welcome the confrontation of a more assertive factor against Hezbollah, which according to reports also holds Saudi citizenship.
However, one must remember the tragic history of the Hariri family.
The father of the family, Rafik Hariri, is considered Lebanon's white hope and was eliminated by order of the Assad regime.
The question is whether this Hariri, too, will choose to risk his life for the land of the cedars or indulge in political compromise like his little brother, one that will make him another sock puppet in the Lebanese Hezbollah theater.
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