His Eminence the Sheikh Akl of the Druze Unitarian Community, Sheikh Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, affirmed that the crises and challenges facing Lebanon, particularly the suffering of the people of the South and the pure blood of the martyrs—the symbol of Lebanese resilience—will be the fundamental cornerstone for the resurgence and renaissance of a new Lebanon under the umbrella of the state, stressing the importance of preserving diversity, which is the hallmark of the Mountain, and the necessity of integration to build the nation.
His Eminence Sheikh Abi Al-Muna participated in a broad gathering hosted by the President of the Lebanese University Alumni Association in Aley, Dr. Hisham Ajeeb, at his home in Baalchmey, in honor of the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh. He was accompanied by a delegation of sheikhs, including the Director of Al-Irfan School in Sofar, Sheikh Imad Faraj, and advisor sheikhs. The gathering was attended by MPs Akram Chehayeb and Hadi Abou El-Hassan; Director General of the Ministry of Finance George Maarawi; Government Commissioner to the Ministry Wissam Chreim; President of the Supreme Druze Court of Appeal Judge Faisal Nasser El-Dine; Director General of Urban Planning Ali Ramadan; Court of Cassation Judge Afif El-Hakim; Investigating Magistrate in Beirut Farid Ajeeb; Director of the Office of the Minister of Public Works Dr. Mounes Fadlallah; Progressive Socialist Party Internal Commissioner for the Al-Jourd region Joumblatt Ghoraizi; Head of Hospitals and Dispensaries at the Ministry of Health Dr. Hisham Fawaz; businessmen and owners of Al-Mottahed Company Hajj Fadi Al-Abdullah and Hajj Mamdouh Al-Abdullah; Sheikh Kamil Sarieddine; Director of Rymco Walid Rassamny; Heads of Urban Planning in Aley, Nouhad Chalhoub, and Zahle, Nicolas Maamari; President of the Information and Technology Syndicate in Lebanon Georges Khoueiry; Syndicate board member and Chairman of ITLS Tarek El-Basha; Chairman of ICC Group Helmi El-Louloua; Chairman of Edelweiss Maritime Dr. Assaad El-Rayess; Commander of the Aley Regional Company Colonel Ahmad Abou Daher; Director of Al-Iman Hospital and elected member of the Confessional Council Dr. Ayman Baz; Head of the Mount Lebanon Water Office in Aley Younis Al-Jarmani; Secretary of Al-Akhaa Al-Ahli Aley Club Wael Chehayeb; Advisor to Al-Irfan Tawhid Institution Dr. Rami Ezzeddine, along with a number of prominent figures.
Sheikh Akl
Following welcoming remarks by the host, Dr. Hisham Ajeeb, who thanked those who accepted the invitation to this unifying gathering, His Eminence the Sheikh Akl delivered a speech, stating:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Master of Messengers, his pure and noble family, and all his companions...
Your Excellency and friend, Mr. Ali Hamieh; Your Excellencies and Eminences; esteemed guests; Dr. Hisham Ajeeb and his family...
This meeting carries profound meaning; it is a unifying gathering of figures and personalities who have served in the national arena across various fields. We come together for the common good and for national resurgence. It is a gathering in the Mountain, yet it is a gathering for the nation. The Mountain is characterized by loyalty, and its people are loyal. His Excellency the Minister deserves loyalty, honor, and appreciation. Their Excellencies Mr. Akram Chehayeb and Mr. Hadi Abou El-Hassan well know how much His Excellency offers to this Mountain and to all of Lebanon, yet his mark in the Mountain is unmistakable. Yesterday, we saw him in the Chouf, in the heart of Moukhtara, inspecting projects and traveling from place to place with high resolve, steadfast determination, and, I believe, with a clear vision for a greater, unified Lebanon."
He added: "This Mountain is part of a homeland distinguished by diversity, and this diversity is present right here. In this garden, we have venerable sheikhs and clerics, political and judicial figures, and brothers from across the Mountain and the homeland, reflecting Lebanon's living diversity. Can Lebanon stand without this diversity? Can the Lebanese mosaic be complete without this beautiful diversity? This wonderful gathering in Baalchmey, neighboring Al-Mchrifah in the Jourd of Aley—this gathering that unites us with you today—renders His Excellency the Minister deserving of honor, and Dr. Hisham deserving of having his invitation answered, so that we may stand together as loved ones, brothers, kin, and partners in national, social, and political work." He continued: "Lebanon faces crises and challenges. There is a dear and precious region in the South being bombed, destroyed, and losing martyrs, yet Lebanon endures and persists. That pure blood and that devastation will, God willing, serve as a cornerstone for the renaissance of Lebanon in confronting aggression and all challenges. Lebanon will rise, and this gathering here heralds and proclaims that Lebanon will not die. Lebanon, through its diaspora and its residents, will not die and will not perish; rather, it will remain and rise again. God willing, the crisis will end, but Lebanon will endure. Crises pass and challenges fade, but Lebanon rises and continues. Its continuity is guaranteed only through this diversity, this integration, and this love that binds its people together."
He continued: "We are all one for the sake of Lebanon, which can only be built by all of us together: a resistance fighter here, an economic, social, political, or religious figure there—we all complement one another. We are all resisters, we are all patriots, and we are all invested in this country and its construction. If the Minister of Public Works is appreciated for paving a road here, or another minister works in education, culture, or any other field, we complement one another. No single individual can single-handedly achieve Lebanon's resurgence, nor can any single sect or party shoulder this responsibility alone. Lebanon only rises through integration and partnership, through love and brotherhood."
He concluded: "Blessed is this gathering, and I was eager to be among you to say welcome to His Excellency the Minister, and welcome to our distinguished guests. This Mountain is the heart of Lebanon. We are all committed to Lebanon, and we have no umbrella other than the umbrella of the state. May matters stabilize and may Lebanon rise again through your determination, your love, and your giving. Thank you all."
Hamieh
For his part, Minister Hamieh expressed words of thanks and appreciation to His Eminence the Sheikh Akl, the attendees, and Dr. Ajeeb for their generous hospitality and warm reception, saying: "After His Eminence has spoken, there is nothing left to add. Whatever we can do as the Ministry of Public Works, we will spare no effort across all of Lebanon and the Mountain in the districts of Chouf, Aley, and Baabda; this is our duty, our role, and our responsibility. As I mentioned earlier, after his speech there are no words to add: 'When water is present, dry ablution is void.' Thank you all."
Chehayeb
MP Chehayeb welcomed "this unifying gathering in a house of genuine nobility. May God have mercy on the late prominent figure, Mr. Halim Ajeeb, Hisham's father, who accustomed us to such gatherings. This home remains spacious and its doors wide open to all kin, loved ones, and faithful friends."
