August 21, 2009


Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir inaugurated yesterday evening the Issam Fares Oasis for Development& Heritage at the Maronite Patriarchal Park of Diman, which represented the developmental aspect of the Park.

The ceremony was attended by MPs Nidale Tohme and Nader Succar, and Maronite Bishops Chukrallah Harb, Roland Abu Jaoudeh, Francis el-Baisari, and Samir Mazloum. Among the attendees were also the Pastor of Akkar’s Parish for Greek Orthodox Basilios Mansour, the President of the Antonine University Reverend Antoine Rageh, the Director of the Issam Fares Foundation Mr. William Mjalli representing His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares, the President of the Union of Bsharri’s Municipalities, the heads of the region’s municipalities and mayors, as well as scores of religious dignitaries, influential political figures, and social renown personalities.

After playing the national anthem, the Media Secretary of the League of Qannoubine for Heritage Mr. George Aarab applauded His Beatitude Patriarch Sfeir, deeming that his presence restores the valley’s glamour which is filled with faith and love. Aarab evoked the development and expansion of the Patriarchal Park which was completed to represent an advanced developmental step, with the initiative of the Issam Fares Foundation.

Aarab considered that His Excellency Mr. Fares represents the flowing spring that fills the thirst of thirsty people and sufferers. He conveyed his thanks to Fares, saying the latter returns to our world God’s amiability through the love of the near.

The Secretary General of the Qannoubine League Lawyer Joseph Farah pronounced a speech in which he stated that the presence of Patriarch Sfeir among us amounts to the presence of the nation’s and group’s conscience, deeming that the participation and contribution of the Issam Fares Foundation in this field is a testimony of the union of faith and the thought of the message of heritage which guarantees the perseveration of the nation.

Later, the representative of His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares, the Director General of the Issam Fares Foundation Mr. William Mjalli, took the floor.

Speech of His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares

His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares gave me the honor and assigned me with the task of representing him to convey to your Beatitude his sincerest feelings of cordiality and his high esteem and deep respect to your person and to your spiritual and national position at an occasion he cherishes the most during his long career of national services. Your Beatitude, your personal presence is a thankful blessing for the Issam Fares Oasis for Development& Culture. It amounts also to a parental care, even to a generous gesture and a precious decoration to which we are loyally grateful. Today, I reiterate before Your Beatitude His Excellency’s keenness to establish the State of law and institutions which shall secure all the Lebanese people’s rights and meet their aspirations for a prosperous future ruled by justice and governed by peace’.

Mr. Mjalli made clear that, since its inception, the Issam Fares Foundation has endeavored for the service of the human being and the establishment of the state of law, and shares the Lebanese loyalists’ love for their nation. The Foundation, he added, looks for the creation of a united, unified state that, alone, would guarantee the future of Lebanon and the Lebanese people altogether.

Mjalli considered that the Patriarchal Park is a distinguished feature of national and religious significance since it is located in Diman where the heritage principles are embodied. He said that the timing is remarkable because it came at a time when Lebanon is in dire need of being in the forefront of the Lebanese and the International community’s attention.

Mjalli called for closing ranks in order to consolidate the spirit of belonging and national unity, to awaken the culture of loyalty to ancestors, and to open large horizons for the coming generations.

He pointed out that the Fares Foundation- which is present in both the location and timing- is in the depth of the human conscience and the Lebanese society, and that, with the directions of His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares, was inspired by the teachings of the church and undertook another distinguished effort that is complementary with the Patriarchate’s endeavors for the service of humankind, which resulted in the creation of an oasis for contemplation and getting closer to God.

He concluded saying that the Fares Foundation holds high the banner of love, cooperation, and construction, along with the public and private sectors’ institutions, the spiritual leaderships, as well as all the citizens, with no exception. Finally, he conveyed his thanks to Patriarch Sfeir for his personal presence.

His Beatitude the Maronite Patriarch presents to the Director General of the Issam Fares Foundation a plaque of recognition

A large number of religious dignitaries and political and social personalities attend the inauguration of Issam Fares Oasis for Culture& Heritage

Speech Pronounced by His Beatitude Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir

The last allocution was pronounced by His Beatitude Patriarch Sfeir who expressed his thanks to all parties who are continuously paying attention to this Park that was dubbed ‘The Park of the Maronite Bishops’.

Patriarch Sfeir explained the workss carried out by the entrepreneur of the Park and the preparations that were undertaken with the launching of an annual student competition, the subject of which was the History of the Maronite Church and the Sacred Valley.

The Patriarch stated, ‘This is the Oasis of His Excellency Mr. Issam Fares for Development& Heritage, and it represents the developmental aspect of the Park through many job opportunities that were provided to university students, in addition to an exhibition for agricultural and professional production. Not to mention also the religious souvenirs and the spiritual books and publications.

The Patriarch went on saying, ‘This occurred thanks to the Fares Foundation and the directions of His Excellency Mr. Fares. No need to mention that we show him all appreciation and respect, asking Almighty God to grant him well-being and success’.

Patriarch Sfeir expressed his thanks to the Qannoubine League for Heritage which was established to oversee and preserve the Park’s development and prosperity.

Later, the Patriarch moved with Mr. Mjalli and the official attendees to hold the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony and to unveil the memorial plaque.