(DEARBORN, MI) — NBC News’ Kevin Tibbles visits Dearborn, Michigan, where Muslims make up a fast-growing portion of the population.
Watch the story below:
UCF walks for Detroit’s Capuchin Soup Kitchen
(SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI) — The United Cedars Foundation (UCF) walked in support of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen at River Bends Park in Shelby Township on Sunday. 75 members and supporters gathered at 8am for a walk to provide homeless Detroiters with basic necessities.
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen was established in 1929 by the ministry of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph. The founders developed a religious mission to work among the poor, providing food, temporary shelter, and other basic needs.
“The Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves meals everyday for homeless people. They provide them with clothing, hot showers, beds, whenever they need. We are proud to support them,” said Walid Korkmaz, president of the United Cedars Foundation.
UCF purchased 500 raffle tickets valued at $500.00 for the upcoming “Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration,” hosted by Lebanese-American business owner Anthony Ahee and third-generation members of the Ahee family. The celebration, which will take place on July 12 at Comerica Park, is expected to draw over 7,000 people.
“The Ahee family has been doing this for 33 years,” said Korkmaz. “It’s really special.”
Ahee Jewelers underwrites the annual free fundraiser every year, covering the cost of producing the event, entertainment, and raffle prizes. Over the past thirty years, the family has raised over $5 million for the soup kitchen.
UCF members paid $30 per family to participate in Sunday’s fundraiser. A saj breakfast with coffee, juices, and other beverages were served following the 2.5 mile walk.
“It’s very nice, they’re always doing an excellent job. People can get together and enjoy the outdoors,” said UCF member Mirna Douiahy.
To view photos from UCF’s event, click here. For more information about the “Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration,” visit ahee.com/capuchin.
World Cup football player is Lebanese
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The Lebanese have few things to celebrate these days. The country has been gripped for the past weeks by a spate of suicide bombings, political upheaval and a raging civil war next door in Syria.
But at least for few hours Sunday, this tiny Mediterranean country had something to cheer about.
Miguel Layun, playing for Mexico in the World Cup, is of Lebanese origin. In Beit Milleit, his northern Lebanese ancestral village, dozens of people gathered in front of a giant TV screen to cheer him on.
The 26-year-old player’s posters were hung everywhere in this tiny Christian hamlet in the impoverished Akkar region. In the village’s main square about 100 people sat in front of the screen.
“Nearly 90 percent of the people here support Mexico because of Miguel,” said banker Simon Layun, a second cousin of the Mexican player.
Some munching on snacks and soft drinks, others smoking water pipes, the crowd jumped up and down, danced and cheered every time Mexican players were near the Netherlands goal.
Whenever Layun had the ball the crowd screamed and clapped, breaking into shouts of “Miguel, Miguel!”
Their support was not enough, however. Mexico led until the last few minutes, when the Netherlands scored two quick goals to win.
“I had read about it, and I really appreciate it (the support),” the Mexico defender said after the game. “It’s people that I always have in my heart, and they deserve it. I’m very happy to know about this (their support), and it’s a shame that today I couldn’t bring them more happiness.”
Lebanon, with a population of 4.5 million people, has seen waves of emigration over the past century to different parts of the world, mostly to Latin America where there are more people of Lebanese origin than in Lebanon itself.
Brazil has the largest number of Lebanese descendants in the world while in Mexico there is a large community of people of Lebanese origin including billionaire Carlos Slim, who is one of the richest people in the world, and Mexican actress Salma Hayek.
Although most Lebanese are supporters of either Brazil or Germany in the World Cup, many hoped Mexico would win Sunday’s match.
The World Cup commentator on state-run Tele Liban said having someone of Lebanese origin playing in the World Cup is a “dream” that makes every Lebanese proud, calling on Layun to return to his roots and visit the “Land of the Cedars.”
Jerjes al-Saifi, the mayor of Beit Milleit, which has a population of 2,000 people, said thousands of people from the village emigrated mostly to Mexico and Brazil over the past century.
Speaking in a courtyard decorated with Lebanese and Mexican flags as well as posters of Layun, the grey-haired man said that after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war began in 1975, emigration from the village shifted to countries like Canada and Australia.
The house of Layun’s grandfather, Youssef, who emigrated to Mexico looking for opportunities abroad, is still there, deserted. A second cousin, Elie Layun, said he lived in it for some years until he built his own house.
Elie said Miguel had never visited the village although his parents did years ago.
Among those watching the match Sunday was Antoinette Abdul-Maseeh Jeitani, a Mexican-Lebanese who is currently visiting her home country.
“I always supported Mexico but because of Miguel I support it more,” said Jeitani, who lives in Mexico City’s Colonia del Valle neighborhood.
Another Mexican Lebanese, Sarkis Nehme, 10, said in broken Arabic: “Mexico played very well and they deserve to win.”
The late penalty that sealed the Netherlands victory left the crowd heartbroken.
“It’s too bad, Mexico played very, very well. The penalty was not fair,” he said.
Roger Jeitani, a 54-year-old owner of a music shop, was the lone Netherlands supporter in the village, saying he has been a supporter of the Netherlands for 30 years.
Syrian refugees to become third of Lebanese population
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Syrian refugees in Lebanon will constitute more than a third of Lebanon’s population by the end of 2014, according to a new report released by the United Nations on Thursday.
The report says these numbers are placing a heavy burden on Lebanon’s economy, particularly because of the large influx of refugees, especially children, who constitute 53 percent of total refugees.
“Failing to provide enough humanitarian support for Syrian refugees by the end of 2014 could result in dramatic consequences for refugees and the stability of the entire region, including a serious security threat to Lebanon,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres.
The UN says Lebanon will need $1.6 billion to be able to cope with the refugee crisis for the rest of the year. The report adds that only 23 percent of the $1.6 billion has been gathered.
“We no longer have the capacity to carry this burden alone. We have crossed all limits,” Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas said.
Lebanon currently hosts 1.1 million refugees, the highest number at 38 percent of Syrian refugees fleeing the war-torn country for other countries in the region.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees representative, Ninette Kelley says that 800,000 refugees will be unequipped to face winter, and 30,000 people including Lebanese will not have access to safe drinking water without the necessary financing.
“We need you to stand with us, we need you to stand with Lebanon to ensure that more funding is secured,” she said, addressing donor countries.
According to Central Bank of Lebanon statistics, the country faces a financial burden of $4.5 billion because of the refugee crisis.
AUB hospital receives international accreditation
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has become the first medical center in Lebanon the and fourth in the world to receive institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education – International (ACGME-I). The accreditation became effective Tuesday July 1st, 2014.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International LLC (ACGME-I) is a non-governmental organization responsible for the accreditation of international graduate medical education (GME) programs such as internships, residencies and fellowships for physicians, in the US and the ACGME-I is the international arm of the ACGME.
“We are extremely proud of achieving this accreditation,” commented Dean Mohammed Sayegh, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. “The achievement of this milestone would not have been possible without the tremendous effort and dedication displayed by our medical education team led by Dr. Kamal Badr, Associate Dean for Medical Education, Dr. Salah Zeineddine, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education and the GME Committee.” added Dr. Sayegh.
Under the ACGME-I structure, doctors in training programs (residents) undergo structured specialist training supervised by dedicated senior clinicians after graduating from medical school.
Physicians who complete an ACGME-I accredited program have been educated in an educational setting where these standards have been met. Physicians are regularly assessed on their medical knowledge, clinical skills, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills. This ensures the aspiring specialist doctors are well-trained and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide excellent care by the time they finish their training which spans for four to six years.
“The ACGME-I institutional accreditation is effective for two years and is a milestone on the path to AUBMC’s next goal to secure accreditation for individual training programs.” said Dr. Kamal Badr. “This is a transformational achievement that solidifies the AUB Faculty of Medicine’s pioneering role in advancing medical education in the region and is the first accreditation of its kind in Lebanon.” added Dr. Badr.
ACGME-I recently accredited national programs in Abu-Dhabi, Qatar and Singapore. As of 2016, trainees who do not graduate from ACGME (I)-accredited institutions will no longer be able to continue to more advance training in US medical institutions. AUBMC’s ACGME-I accreditation will provide medical students in Lebanon and the region the opportunity to do so.
“Our unwavering commitment to our academic mission is a major pillar of the AUBMC 2020 Vision and this institutional accreditation from ACGME-I is a testament to the excellent standards of our graduate medical education programs.” added Dr. Sayegh.
AUBMC is the first medical institution in the Middle East to have earned the three international accreditations of JCI, Magnet and CAP, attesting to its superior standards in patient-centered care, nursing, and pathology/laboratory services.
8 Questions for Back to Roots Founder and Executive Director Gustave Cordahi
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Gustave Cordahi is the founder and executive director of Back to Roots. Cordahi is a Transportation Engineering and Planning senior consultant in the Washington D.C. area. He maintains a leading social, political and educational activism in Lebanon through a tireless involvement with various organizations.
1.) What is Back to Roots?
Back to Roots (BTR) is a Summer Academy Program that aims to engage young adults from the Lebanese diaspora with Lebanon on a multifaceted level. The program introduces its participants to the cultural, geographical, and historical aspects of their homeland. The goal of the Back to Roots Summer Academy is to cultivate a love for Lebanon in young people of Lebanese descent, so that they may become well-informed and passionate ambassadors for the ‘Land of the Cedars’. BTR measures its success on the wisdom, pride, and enthusiasm that each individual participant gains from discovering their Lebanese roots.
2.) What are some of the activities participants engage in? Who will they meet?
The participants take part in daily excursions, meetings with influential Lebanese leaders, and captivating lectures with Lebanese scholars. Follow this year’s edition adventures via: #backtoroots2014 #BTR5 #cedarleaders; or via the BTR Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BacktoRoots.sa
3.) How is this project funded?
The expenses of the program in Lebanon (excluding airfare costs) are fully covered through our fundraising efforts in North America. We are lucky to have donors who believe in our mission and who keep supporting us year-after-year. We host several fundraisers across North America throughout the year, and many of the parents of BTR alumni are becoming supporters of the program, especially after they witness the enthusiasm of their children after their memorable BTR experiences. Plus, working with the Lebanese Information Center (LIC), a non-profit research and education Institute, also allows us to receive tax-deductible donations in the United States.
4.) How far have you come as an organization since you launched?
This year, we host the fifth edition of the program. We have so far hosted four editions of BTR, with one occurring every summer since 2010. All were successful, and since the first edition, we started engaging past BTR participants in the actual design and growth of the program. That is how our leadership committee is now largely comprised of BTR alumni (This year’s program assistants in Lebanon, Michelle Makhoul and Maya Gebeily, are both BTR alums). Thus, we are turning BTR from a one-time experience to a continuous relationship with the motherland, and this keeps participants involved and engaged in promoting and caring about Lebanon.
5.) What kind of response have you received from Lebanese natives about the Back to Roots program?
We are always humbled when prominent leaders in the country, including the President of Lebanon, welcome us every year and await our visit (even though this
year BTR takes place while Lebanon still does not have a replacement to former President Michel Sleiman unfortunately). But most of all, it’s watching participants call BTR (and Lebanon) ‘a life-changing experience’. That shows us that the effects of the program will be durable and fruitful. Besides, it is always particularly nice to have 2nd and 3rd generation Lebanese discover their roots with us for the first time.
6.) Are the current security challenges in Lebanon changing your trip in any way?
Each year, we face several hurdles, mainly linked to the unstable situation in Lebanon. This summer (and most summers so far), I kept tracking with our advisors and coordinators the risks involved in hosting the program given the current situation. However, our whole message is about the promotion of the culture of life in Lebanon, to counterbalance the devastating cultures of death, weapons, darkness, and extremism that are haunting our country. Providing a safe and enjoyable experience to our participants is our top priority, and our faith allows us to overcome the hurdles every year and to go on with the program. This is a delicate challenge, but I am willing to take it up.
7.) What is the value of going “Back to Roots” and encouraging young people to discover their heritage?
In this day and age, reconnecting with one’s roots has become synonymous with richness – it is not a reflection of extremism or closed-mindedness, but rather a
celebration of openness and diversity. We may be a relatively small country with a minor influence on the international level, but when we see the major contributions of Lebanese individuals in every arena and in every corner of the globe, we wonder why we cannot leverage those achievements to the advantage of our Lebanon? It is mostly due to the fact that our diaspora becomes largely disconnected from Lebanon. Through our experience in North America, we notice
that it may only take the negligence of one generation for a full disconnect with their roots. To care for your motherland, you need to genuinely love it. To love it, you need to know it. To truly know it, you need to experience it first-hand. Only through this route can we hope to have real advocates who serve Lebanon and the Lebanese cause in every position and location worldwide.
8.) How can interested people get involved next year?
We have an online application process: the program is open to all North Americans of Lebanese descent (between 18 and 24 years old of age). In the planning stages of every edition, our leadership committee conducts outreach efforts that go hand-in-hand with our fundraising efforts. In terms of selection, we review and interview applicants, and then we select the participants based on their credentials and on the program’s requirements.
You can find out more about BTR by visiting:
Website: BTRLebanon.org
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BacktoRoots.sa
To donate to the Program: http://www.btrlebanon.org/wp/donate/
View more photos from the program below:
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VIDEO: Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce honors Middle Eastern judges
(TROY, MI) — The Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce honored 26 judges of Middle Eastern descent on Monday, as part of their annual Salute to Justice evening event.
Watch highlights below:
The Chamber honored the following judges:
- U.S. District Court Judge George Caram Steeh, III
- U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary (OH)
- U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Mona K. Majzoub
- U.S. Administrative Law Judge Alfred Morad, (ret)
- Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra
- Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano
- Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Henry W. Saad
- Oakland County Probate Chief Judge Linda Saoud Hallmark
- Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Hatty
- Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David J. Allen
- Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette J. Berry
- Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Charlene Mekled Elder
- Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Joseph
- Wayne County Circuit Court Judge James J. Rashid (ret)
- Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn A. Viviano
- Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Tracey A. Yokich
- Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Antonio P. Viviano (ret)
- Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph J. Farah
- Dearborn District Court Chief Judge Sam A. Salamey
- Dearborn Heights District Court Chief Judge David D. Turfe
- Redford District Court Chief Judge Karen Khalil Bouzas
- Rochester Hills District Court Judge Lisa L. Asadoorian
- Warren District Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh
- West Bloomfield District Court Judge Diane Dickow D’Agostini
- Mt. Clemens District Court Judge George Caram Steeh, II (ret)
- Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Court Chief Judge Theodore A. Metry
Tele Liban sued over World Cup broadcasting rights
Update: Lebanon’s judiciary Friday dismissed a lawsuit filed by BeIN Sports against Tele Liban television over broadcasting rights, saying the case lacked jurisdiction.
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Tele Liban will face a court hearing on Monday after being sued by BeIN Sports over broadcasting the 2014 World Cup without rights and authorization.
Tele Liban began broadcasting World Cup matches on June 12.
BeIN Sports granted exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lebanese firm Sama, who was charging more than $100 per household for a World Cup viewing package. After public opposition and uproar, Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb announced that the state would pay $3 million to Sama to cover the company’s losses. Rights were then transferred to Lebanese TV cable providers.
Tele Liban’s head Talal Makdessi decided to broadcast all the World Cup’s matches, saying he would sacrifice his job to provide the chance for all Lebanese to watch the world’s most popular sports tournament.
Tele Liban did not release a formal statement commenting on the lawsuit, but was announced on live TV by a sports analysts, before the beginning of the Chile vs. Brazil match.
Jounieh International Festival opens with large fireworks show
(JOUNIEH, LEBANON) — The Jounieh International Festival opened with a large fireworks show on Friday, featuring one of the largest fireworks displays in the Lebanon.
Watch the fireworks show below:
[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNaspufLZTw” width=”500″ height=”300″]
View the full program of the Jounieh International Festival below:
[spiderpowa-pdf src=”https://lebaneseexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/JIF-2014-Program.pdf”]JIF-2014-Program
Lebanon shuts down electricity power plant to limit losses
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — An official at the state-owned Electricite du Liban said Wednesday that power plants have been shut down to limit fuel consumption, warning that severe electricity rationing may have to be introduced if fuel subsidies do not reach the required level.
“So far we are producing 1,500 megawatts but the actual demand has exceeded 2,900 megawatts and this is due to the presence of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. If the Finance Ministry does not meet our demand to raise the allocations for fuel and gas subsidies then we have no other choice but to make further power cuts,” an EDL official told The Daily Star.
She added that so far EDL has not yet expanded power rationing but admitted that two or three power plants have been temporarily shut down in order to limit the consumption of fuel oil and gas oil.
Lebanon’s dependence on fuel and gas oil to run the existing power plants is one of the causes of the company’s huge deficit.
Some critics have blasted former Energy Minister Gebran Bassil’s plan to build more power stations and upgrade the existing ones without seeking ways to reduce EDL’s losses.
EDL has written to the Finance Ministry that the allocation for fuel oil not be slashed from $1.8 billion to $2.2 billion, warning that any decision to revise the allocation would compel the company to increase rationing.
Outside Beirut, most parts of Lebanon are experiencing 8-10 hours of electricity rationing every day, but if the new measures are applied then customers could be left without power for over 14 hours a day.
The EDL official stressed that one of the options to cope with the increase in electricity production was an increase in tariffs in a proportional way and in a manner that would not hurt limited income families.
Energy and Water Minister Arthur Nazarian said earlier that the 700 MW plan that was approved by the Cabinet in 2010 would be implemented very soon, noting that two or three plants would increase production at the end of this year.
But the minister insisted that increasing electricity production could cause EDL’s deficit to increase to alarming levels, and for this reason he favored revising the electricity rates as the best choice.
At a workshop, Nazarian said rates would only be revised once new power plants become operational.
He and other MPs said the new rates would be even cheaper than the fares charged by the owners of private generators.
MP Ghazi Youssef urged the government to take the bold decision to increase the electricity tariffs, reminding the participants in the workshop that the total spending on electricity, including the construction of plants and the cost of subsidizing fuel oil over the last 20 years, has cost the treasury over $27 billion.
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