His Eminence the Sheikh Aql of the Druze Unitarian community in Lebanon, Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, participated in Chanieh in honoring physicians Dr. Majeed Abi Al-Muna and the late Dr. Saeed Abi Al-Muna.
His Eminence the Sheikh Aql delivered a speech on the occasion after remarks by Shawki Abi Al-Muna, who served as moderator, Kamel Hamza, President of the “Al-Nahda Social Charitable Association” in Chanieh, Mayor Hussein Abi Al-Muna, the initiative's patron, expatriate Dr. Jihad Abi Al-Muna, and poets Shafiq Hatoum and Nabil Nasr. In his speech, His Eminence Sheikh Abi Al-Muna stated:
“For Chanieh to honor two of its prominent, giving sons is an honor for us all. And for a physician to be honored is the best of honors. We offer Dr. Majeed Abbas Abi Al-Muna our full appreciation and respect for the medical services and healing treatments he and his colleague, the late Dr. Saeed Qaidbieh Abi Al-Muna, provided to the people of Chanieh, in particular, and to the residents of the Jurd, Bhamdoun, and the surrounding areas. He sat on the throne of selflessness and sacrifice without expectation, especially during the days of the mountain ordeal, as wounded people fell one after another in a fateful war that struck innocent civilians and fighters defending their land and honor. He was one of those steadfast heroes without whom survival would not have been preserved, nor victory achieved. Now that what happened has happened, and we have all triumphed over hatred, the language of confrontation, and strife, and reconciliation has been reached, the struggle in the field of service to people did not stop or recede for Dr. Majeed—may God grant him a long life—and Dr. Saeed, may he rest in peace. Both earned the community's trust. How many patients knocked on Dr. Majeed's door and found both the cure for their ailment and the remedy for their social distress? And how many children entered Dr. Saeed's clinic crying, only for their parents to return comforted and reassured?”
He added: “If such cases were to be recorded, they would number in the hundreds. While Dr. Saeed has left us suddenly—and we were shocked by his early departure, struck down by the illness he battled repeatedly and overcame in hundreds of his patients, until fate took its course—and while Dr. Majeed's health has declined slightly, their good impact will remain a hallmark in Chanieh and an example for generations to follow, contributing to their community from their respective positions and specializations to the best of their abilities. A society only prospers through such men and such contributions. Chanieh, thank God, has been thriving for decades through its municipality, those who have held responsibility there—Dr. Majeed being one of them—and its charitable association. We must thank those who founded it, those who sacrificed to complete the construction of this club, and all the initiatives that launched within it, from the nursing home association, the women's committee, the well-drilling committee, to the group of young people who established the nature reserve on the mountain, and other initiatives. Perhaps what awaits us is much more than what we have achieved, and this depends on all of our determination, our cooperation, and our reliance on God.”
He concluded: “Thank you to the Al-Nahda Association, thank you to the municipality, and the primary thanks go to the initiator of the idea, Dr. Jihad Hassan Abi Al-Muna, the brilliant physician in his specialty and his humanity, who found it fitting to honor two noble colleagues. To the soul of Dr. Saeed, we ask for mercy and forgiveness; to Dr. Majeed, we ask for wellness and safety; and to Dr. Jihad, we wish continued capacity and contribution. To all the initiators and active participants in the fields of charity and social work, and to all those eager to put their private successes at the service of their town and people, we offer our best prayers and fullest support and encouragement.”
In conclusion, His Eminence presented a commemorative plaque to both Dr. Majeed and Mrs. Souad Abu Fakhr al-Din, the widow of Dr. Saeed, who both offered words of thanks and gratitude.
