مجلسا نيويورك ونيوجيرسي في الجامعة اللبنانية الثقافية في العالم يحتفلان بعيد استقلال لبنان بحفل غالا في قصر اليغاسي

At the invitation of the New York and New Jersey Councils of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, the annual gala was held on Sunday, December 7, at The Legacy Castle, in the presence of the Union’s World President Roger Hani; former World Vice President Francois Abou Naaman; Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees Fadi Farhat; the Union’s Secretary General in North America Rima Cario; Dr. Wissam Hoyek, President of the New York Council, and his deputy Mahmoud Safa; Katia Kario Dib, President of the New Jersey Council; and members of the Boards of Directors of the New York and New Jersey Councils: Raja Shammas, Marleine Aflak, Pamela Cario, Fayrouz Halabi, and Dr. Fadi P. Deek, along with a large gathering of the Lebanese community, in an evening that combined celebration, recognition, and pride in cultural identity. The event was hosted by media personality Rita Elojeil Zihenni.

As is customary on this occasion every year, the World Lebanese Cultural Union honored three distinguished individuals in recognition of their contributions to society, their fields of expertise, and their service to the Lebanese community: His Excellency Bishop Gregory Mansour, Mr. Mounir Badaan, and Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa.

Bishop Gregory Mansour, head of the Maronite Diocese of St. Maron in Brooklyn, delivered an inspiring speech in which he reflected on the recent profound spiritual visit of Pope Leo XIV to Lebanon, urging attendees to uphold the Pope’s call for peace.

For his part, Mr. Mounir Badaan, businessman and owner of The Legacy Castle, expressed his gratitude to the World Lebanese Cultural Union in New York and New Jersey for this honor, praising the Union’s commitment to preserving and promoting Lebanese heritage.

The evening also featured the honoring of Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, a world-renowned oncologist, who thanked the Union for the recognition, highlighting the vital role of interfaith harmony even in the medical field, and sharing a moving example from his clinical experience.

The program concluded with a heartfelt tribute to the late poet and Dean of the New Pen League, Youssef Abdul-Samad, followed by a live artistic performance led by Nadim Abou Rjeily. Attendees widely praised the event, considering it one of the finest and most prestigious gatherings organized by the World Lebanese Cultural Union in New York and New Jersey to date.

Proceeds of this event will support education at Notre Dame University, Université Saint Esprit Kaslik, and Hassan Kamel Sabbah Foundation.