{"id":765061,"date":"2025-11-04T08:51:42","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/?p=765061"},"modified":"2025-11-04T08:51:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:51:45","slug":"wedding-inside-jeita-grotto-sparks-public-outrage-heres-what-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/en\/765061\/wedding-inside-jeita-grotto-sparks-public-outrage-heres-what-happened\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding Inside Jeita Grotto Sparks Public Outrage: Here&#8217;s What Happened"},"content":{"rendered":"    <button class=\"sideconvo-button button-compact\">         <svg         xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"         width=\"64\"         height=\"64\"         viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\"         fill=\"none\">         <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_5407_120)\">             <mask                 id=\"mask0_5407_120\"                 style=\"mask-type:luminance\"                 maskUnits=\"userSpaceOnUse\"                 x=\"0\"                 y=\"0\"                 width=\"64\"                 height=\"64\">                 <path d=\"M64 0H0V64H64V0Z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>             <\/mask>             <g mask=\"url(#mask0_5407_120)\">                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64ZM38.4702 14.815C38.0702 14.815 37.6702 15.035 37.5002 15.475L33.7702 24.935C32.4352 28.325 29.7502 31.01 26.3602 32.345L16.9002 36.075C16.0202 36.425 16.0202 37.67 16.9002 38.02L26.3602 41.75C29.7502 43.085 32.4352 45.77 33.7702 49.16L37.5002 58.62C37.6752 59.06 38.0752 59.28 38.4702 59.28C38.8652 59.28 39.2702 59.06 39.4402 58.62L43.1702 49.16C44.5052 45.77 47.1902 43.085 50.5802 41.75L60.0402 38.02C60.9202 37.67 60.9202 36.425 60.0402 36.075L50.5802 32.345C47.1902 31.01 44.5052 28.325 43.1702 24.935L39.4402 15.475C39.2652 15.035 38.8652 14.815 38.4702 14.815ZM14.4702 29.125L11.9802 24.57C11.9452 24.505 11.8902 24.45 11.8202 24.41L7.26516 21.92C6.62516 21.57 6.62516 20.655 7.26516 20.305L11.8202 17.815C11.8852 17.78 11.9402 17.725 11.9752 17.66L14.4652 13.105C14.8152 12.465 15.7302 12.465 16.0802 13.105L18.5702 17.66C18.6052 17.725 18.6602 17.78 18.7302 17.82L23.2852 20.31C23.9252 20.66 23.9252 21.575 23.2852 21.925L18.7302 24.415C18.6652 24.45 18.6102 24.505 18.5752 24.57L16.0852 29.125C15.7352 29.765 14.8202 29.765 14.4702 29.125Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M32 10.7351C33.6569 10.7351 35 9.39196 35 7.73511C35 6.07825 33.6569 4.73511 32 4.73511C30.3431 4.73511 29 6.07825 29 7.73511C29 9.39196 30.3431 10.7351 32 10.7351Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>             <\/g>         <\/g>         <defs>             <clipPath id=\"clip0_5407_120\">                 <rect width=\"64\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>             <\/clipPath>         <\/defs>     <\/svg>        <span class=\"sideconvo_button\"  data-sideconvo-message=\"Beautiful historical sites in Lebanon\" data-sideconvo-mode=\"CHAT\" data-sideconvo-customCTATitle=\"Discover Lebanon&#039;s stunning historical sites\" data-sideconvo-customCTAPlacement=\"TITLE_TAG\">             Discover Lebanon&#039;s stunning historical sites        <\/span>         <div class=\"hoverEffect\">             <div><\/div>         <\/div>     <\/button>     <style>      <\/style>    <p>A wedding in Lebanon sparked public outrage after videos showed the celebration taking place inside Jeita Grotto, one of Lebanon&#8217;s most treasured natural sites.<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <p>Many expressed alarm over the potential damage to the grotto\u2019s fragile formations, which have taken millions of years to develop. The incident prompted debate over Lebanon\u2019s lax enforcement of heritage protection laws and the misuse of public natural sites.<\/p>    <p><\/p>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DQmrk5Qkd4g\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reactions-to-the-incident\">Reactions to the incident<\/h3>    <p><\/p>    <p>Lebanese people took to social media to express their concerns. They questioned how a wedding could be authorized inside one of the country\u2019s most fragile landmarks. Many also demanded a response from the Ministry of Tourism and other responsible authorities.<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <p>Here are some of the reactions on X (formerly known as Twitter):<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <div style=\"display:flex;justify-content: center;align-items: center;\">   <div class=\"lozad wp-twitter-embed\" style=\"text-align: center;width:80%;max-width: 100%;\" data-twitter-src=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/greenbilarabi\/status\/1985399308124840321\"><\/div>  <\/div>    <p><\/p>    <div style=\"display:flex;justify-content: center;align-items: center;\">   <div class=\"lozad wp-twitter-embed\" style=\"text-align: center;width:80%;max-width: 100%;\" data-twitter-src=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RH4N6\/status\/1985189481977106613\"><\/div>  <\/div>    <p><\/p>    <div style=\"display:flex;justify-content: center;align-items: center;\">   <div class=\"lozad wp-twitter-embed\" style=\"text-align: center;width:80%;max-width: 100%;\" data-twitter-src=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ghaderkarima\/status\/1985454453986599090\"><\/div>  <\/div>    <div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>       <button class=\"sideconvo-button button-normal\">         <svg         xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"         width=\"64\"         height=\"64\"         viewBox=\"0 0 64 64\"         fill=\"none\">         <g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_5407_120)\">             <mask                 id=\"mask0_5407_120\"                 style=\"mask-type:luminance\"                 maskUnits=\"userSpaceOnUse\"                 x=\"0\"                 y=\"0\"                 width=\"64\"                 height=\"64\">                 <path d=\"M64 0H0V64H64V0Z\" fill=\"white\"><\/path>             <\/mask>             <g mask=\"url(#mask0_5407_120)\">                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64ZM38.4702 14.815C38.0702 14.815 37.6702 15.035 37.5002 15.475L33.7702 24.935C32.4352 28.325 29.7502 31.01 26.3602 32.345L16.9002 36.075C16.0202 36.425 16.0202 37.67 16.9002 38.02L26.3602 41.75C29.7502 43.085 32.4352 45.77 33.7702 49.16L37.5002 58.62C37.6752 59.06 38.0752 59.28 38.4702 59.28C38.8652 59.28 39.2702 59.06 39.4402 58.62L43.1702 49.16C44.5052 45.77 47.1902 43.085 50.5802 41.75L60.0402 38.02C60.9202 37.67 60.9202 36.425 60.0402 36.075L50.5802 32.345C47.1902 31.01 44.5052 28.325 43.1702 24.935L39.4402 15.475C39.2652 15.035 38.8652 14.815 38.4702 14.815ZM14.4702 29.125L11.9802 24.57C11.9452 24.505 11.8902 24.45 11.8202 24.41L7.26516 21.92C6.62516 21.57 6.62516 20.655 7.26516 20.305L11.8202 17.815C11.8852 17.78 11.9402 17.725 11.9752 17.66L14.4652 13.105C14.8152 12.465 15.7302 12.465 16.0802 13.105L18.5702 17.66C18.6052 17.725 18.6602 17.78 18.7302 17.82L23.2852 20.31C23.9252 20.66 23.9252 21.575 23.2852 21.925L18.7302 24.415C18.6652 24.45 18.6102 24.505 18.5752 24.57L16.0852 29.125C15.7352 29.765 14.8202 29.765 14.4702 29.125Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M38.4702 26.64L38.5252 26.775C40.3652 31.435 44.0902 35.165 48.7502 37L48.8852 37.055L48.7502 37.11C44.0902 38.95 40.3602 42.675 38.5252 47.335L38.4702 47.47L38.4152 47.335C36.5752 42.675 32.8502 38.945 28.1902 37.11L28.0552 37.055L28.1902 37C32.8502 35.16 36.5802 31.435 38.4152 26.775L38.4702 26.64Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>                 <path                     d=\"M32 10.7351C33.6569 10.7351 35 9.39196 35 7.73511C35 6.07825 33.6569 4.73511 32 4.73511C30.3431 4.73511 29 6.07825 29 7.73511C29 9.39196 30.3431 10.7351 32 10.7351Z\"                     fill=\"#fff\"><\/path>             <\/g>         <\/g>         <defs>             <clipPath id=\"clip0_5407_120\">                 <rect width=\"64\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>             <\/clipPath>         <\/defs>     <\/svg>        <span class=\"sideconvo_button\"  data-sideconvo-message=\"Stunning spots in nature\" data-sideconvo-mode=\"SPEAK\" data-sideconvo-customCTATitle=\"Want to discover spots in nature? Click here!\" data-sideconvo-customCTAPlacement=\"INLINE\">             Want to discover spots in nature? Click here!        <\/span>         <div class=\"hoverEffect\">             <div><\/div>         <\/div>     <\/button>     <style>      <\/style>    <div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-ministry-of-tourism-responds\">The Ministry of Tourism responds<\/h3>    <p><\/p>    <p>In a statement to <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MegaphoneNewsEN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Megaphone News<\/a>, Imad Sfeir, a member of the Jeita Municipality and director of the grotto\u2019s staff, clarified that the sound and lighting systems \u201cmet all required standards, were limited in number, and were overseen by specialists&#8221;.<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <div style=\"display:flex;justify-content: center;align-items: center;\">   <div class=\"lozad wp-twitter-embed\" style=\"text-align: center;width:80%;max-width: 100%;\" data-twitter-src=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MegaphoneNewsEN\/status\/1985433297699078487\"><\/div>  <\/div>    <p><\/p>    <p>Following the public backlash, the Ministry of Tourism issued a statement today. It confirmed that it had not granted permission for any private event to be held inside the grotto.<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <p>The ministry explained that it had signed a temporary contract with the Jeita Municipality for the site\u2019s management and operation, emphasizing that all activities and permissions must comply with legal and procedural standards. It also noted that the municipality is currently the only authorized body managing the grotto, operating under transparent and open bidding criteria until a permanent tender and investor are established in line with international standards.<\/p>    <p><\/p>   <iframe title=\"Embedded Instagram Post\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"532\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DQn_SYujJHE\/embed\/\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 12px 0px 12px !important; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;\"><\/iframe>   <p><\/p>    <p>The municipality never submitted a detailed proposal or request specifying the nature of the activity. Therefore, the ministry will send an official warning to ensure compliance with all contractual, heritage, and ethical obligations.<\/p>    <p><\/p>    <p>It is important to note that the grotto had been <a href=\"https:\/\/jeita-grotto.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">closed<\/a> for eight months for maintenance and preservation. 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Many expressed alarm over the potential damage to the grotto\u2019s fragile formations, which have taken millions of years to develop. The incident prompted debate over Lebanon\u2019s lax enforcement of heritage protection [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":765079,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_preview_accessed":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[1161,1586,1093,1097,338],"media-embed-type":[],"class_list":["post-765061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-arts-culture","tag-landmarks","tag-news","tag-twitterreactions","tag-wtf"],"authorship":[74],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Wedding Inside Jeita Grotto Sparks Public Outrage: Here&#039;s What Happened &#187; Beirut.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A wedding in Lebanon sparked public outrage after videos showed the celebration taking place inside Jeita Grotto. 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