On Tuesday, 15th April 2009, the Davis Cup tennis Group III Asia/Oceania competition starts in Syria.

One of the five man Lebanese team is Jicham Zaatini, whose family comes from Zgharta. He was born at Maracay Venezuela, in 1976 and represents Lebanon.

The competition is being held at the Hamadanya Sport Centre, Aleppo and the particiapting nations are Iran, Lebanon, Pacific Oceania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan. The format of the event is that the teams are divided into two groups; the two top teams of each group then play each other with the two top teams promoted to Group II of the Asia/Oceania games of 2010. The bottom two teams in each group play each other and the lowest two are relegated to the Group IV Asia/Oceania games of 2010.

Lebanon is currently placed 85th out of 131 national teams. It has been playing in the Davis Cup for 25 years reaching the Group I Asia/Oceania in 1998-2000, 2002. It played in Group II in 2008 but was relegated to Group III for 2009. So we all hope that this year they can start their climb back to Group I.

To learn more about the Davis Cup go to their website www.daviscup.com

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Easter Greetings

Masih Kam

Maronite Easter hymn sung by Fairouz

The sound of Easter

A team of hikers are walking the length of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, from Qbaiyat in North Lebanon to Marjaayoun in the South, a journey of 440km divided into 26 sections. The team will be joined on route by other hikers for portions of the trail.

The trek was launched at a press conference on 1st April 2009 at the Ministry of Tourism in Beirut, which attracted wide national coverage.

There is a website for the trek, www.trekkinglebanon.com, and today the team has posted their entry on the Horsh Ehden to Wadi Qannoubine section, which can be read from here

Two new videos have been uploaded onto You Tube.

One is of the, Al Midan, Christmas 2008 and another of the Adoration of Saydet Zgharta Adoration of Saydet Zgharta

Keep them coming.

On Palm Sunday, the Churches of St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, Mar Maroun, Saydet Zgharta, and Sts Peter & Paul (Ehden), were full with parents and children in their new outfits. Following tradition, children were held aloft on the shoulders of parents.

The Palm Sunday sermon delivered by Fr Frangieh at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, can be read on the Full Story page. Amongst the congregation were Member of Parliament Jawad Boulos and his family, Youssef Sarkis (Bahaa) Douaihy and Michel Réne Moawad and his family

At St Joseph's, Mrs. Rima Sleiman Frangieh attended with her daughter Vera.

Photographs taken on Palm Sunday can be seen in the Galleria New Photos.

Today on the Lebanese news website, Naharnet, under the headline, "Palm Sunday Unites Politicians With Their Kids," it features photographs of Michel Rene Moawad and Mrs. Rima Sleiman Frangieh with their children. The supporting article says,

"Christians following the western calendar came together to celebrate Palm Sunday. The festive celebration that commemorates Christ's entrance into Jerusalem one week prior to his crucifixion brought together many Lebanese politicians from various parts of the country who attended church masses with their families and children for the occasion. Palm branches, beautifully decorated candles, children and their innocent smiles, all mingled with incense and performed prayers, providing a festive spring celebration that united many on the beautiful spring morning."


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Palm Sunday in Zgharta is a mixture of joy, with the emphasis towards children, but yet as in the distance, the image of the Cross is always in the background.

The Lebanese newspaper, As Safir, features how Zgharta celebrates Palm Sunday in its weekend edition, which can be read from the below links.

Arabic

English - Google

The Parish of Ehden and Zgharta have announced the Mass times for Palm Sunday as following:

Saydet Zgharta: 9.00 am
St. Joseph Church: 9.30am
Mar Maroun: 10 am
St. John the Baptist: 11.00 am
Sts Peter & Paul (Ehden): 11.30

Another video has put on YouTube, this time of a drive through the streets of Ehden up to Our Lady of Al-Hosn, accompanied by music played by Joseph Leba.

A new video featuring Ehden in winter has come online via YouTube

Last Saturday the faces of the children said it all. At a performance at the Sisters of the Holy Family School Theatre, near Saydet Zgharta Church, invited children were enthralled by ventriloquist Yordam in his show, Yordam and animals, who is on a national tour of Lebanon.

The show was held by the Karam Association for Heritage, in the presence of its President Mrs.Amal Assaad Beik Karam and Mrs. Marielle Michel Moawad.

Photographs of the performance appear on the Full Story page
Full Story

The Tripoli based newspaper, Attamaddon, in its current edition has published an article reviewing Zgharta's political landscape since Ottoman times.

The article in Arabic can be read from here

The mention and publication of the article does not indicate that zgharta.com agrees or not with the author's viewpoint.

Since its opening the Zgharta House, of the Association of Zgharta (Batal Lebnan Youssef Bey Karam) has become a place of excellence and celebration of the local community.

One such occasion, combining both excellence and celebration, was the recent honouring of young members of the community who had excelled in the Higher School Certificate Class of 2008. Those honoured were: Peter Mansour Douaihy (99.25); Mary Joseph Finianos (97.00); Anthony Ndaira (92.55) and Joanne Barry Gittany (81.50).

The President of the Association, George Douaihy and Zgharta Ladies Committee President, Alia Halabi presented commemorative shields to the students; handing especially to Peter Douaihy, the Association President Sarkis Maksisi Memorial Shield for the student who had achieved marks over 98.00.

The Association also bestowed a shield to George al-Basha, who wrote and appeared in the Australian film,“The Combination.” A film about a group of young Lebanese and Anglo Australians growing up in Sydney's western suburbs. The Association also honoured Miss Jamila Tannous al-Sara in recognition for her support of the Association.

Among the gathering were family and friends of the beneficiaries and university students: John Gittany, Waif Douaihy and Yourself Maksisi, who spoke about their lives and experience at university. Association President, George Douaihy hailed the success of the students and actor al-Basha , wishing them the best of luck.

Other news

*A new executive committee was elected for the Zgharta Young Set, its members being:

President: Tony Saied Makati, Vice President: Sound Yourself Denali, Secretary: Christine Sarkis Maksisi, Treasurer: Jessica Antoine Gittany, Assist. Treasurer: Rita Yourself Denali, Members: Charbel Saied Makati, Alicia Saied Makati, Yourself Antoine Gittany, George Yourself Denali and Chairperson: Yourself Sarkis Maksisi.

*The Association has also sent congratulations Fr Emmanuelle Sakr of the St. Joseph Maronite Parish, on his promotion as an Monsignor.

Photographs appear on the Full Story page.
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The students of the Notre Dame University have held a festival celebrating Lebanon's heritage and folkloric traditions. The "Turath Day," featured traditional dance and music, with students dressing in costumes of past times.

Ehden had its own stall, with the banner "Ehden Star of the North," handing out guides and post cards to Ehden. There was also a busy grill for kibbeh.

Photograph courtesy of El Marada. Other photographs can be seen from the University website.

The newly established Movement of Independence Academy (A.I.M.) hosted its second launch of a new book last Saturday, 28th March 2009, at the Milad Ghazel Moawad Cultural & Sport Centre, Zgharta. This time it was for Sayed Chahine Karam's new book, "The Hymn of Existence." Among those attending was Mrs. Marielle Michel Moawad and Member of Parliament Jawad Boulos.

Its based on the author's ideological and personal journey, and on the Civil War. He also examines the influence on the people of Zgharta and Ehden, of their seasonal migration between settlements.

This is the author's second book, having published in 2007, "Hadikati" (My Garden).

Photographs of the launch can be seen on the Full Story page.
Full Story

In the Saturday editions of the Lebanese newspapers, L' Orient Le Jour and An Nahar, they cover the announcement of a new group, "Call Zgharta Zawie 2009," seeking a third way in Lebanese politics with particular reference to the Caza of Zgharta Zawie. It is part of a national campaign which started in Beirut and it appears that similar groups will be formed throughout Lebanon with a view of holding a conference at a later date.

The signatories of the Zgharta Zawie group, which number 100 and who come from all families of Zgharta Zawie, are listed in the An Nahar report.

The newspaper's reports can be read on the Full Story page.

zgharta.com by reporting this and other news of a political nature, does not indicate that it supports or agrees with the subject matter reported, as it remains neutral in matters of politics. It believes however that our readers, especially those who read us from overseas, should be aware what is going on in Zgharta Zawie and the community. Part of this neutrality is to report different viewpoints and giving equal space to such views.


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The Social Cultural Lebanese - Canadian Association, "Magique without frontieres," invited to Lebanon by First Lady, Mrs. Wafaa Sleiman, came to Mejdlaya to perform a show for local school children on Sunday, 22nd March 2009.

The show was at the René Moawad Foundation's Centre at Mejdlaya, with children attending from the Don Bosco Association, the Divine Care Association and local public and private schools from Zgharta Zawie.

The Assocoation consists of performers graduating from magic schools throughout the world. Among it aims is to provide free shows with a magical theme to ill and deprive children.

A selection of photographs appear on the Full Story page.
Full Story

Today's As Safir, features Zgharta's and nearby mills and their restoration.

Arabic

English - Google

We are sad to report the death of Dr.Samir Mehsen Abdallah, who was a surgeon specialising in ENT. He died on Saturday, 21st March 2009 of cancer at the age of 55.

He was well-known in Zgharta and was the Director of the René Moawad Foundation Medical Centre in the 1990's.

His funeral is today at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Zgharta at 3.30 pm.

We send our condolences to his widow, Jacqueline, three children and family.

The Mejdlaya campus of the Antonine University held a evening concert, Nuit Napolitaine ,on Friday 20th March 2009, featuring classical music from Italy and France. The evening was introduced by Fr. Nader Nader, head of the Campus, with Badwi Dahdah acting as compére, both speaking of the importance of such cultural events. Mr. Dahdah also said that the concert was in honour and celebration of Mother's Day.

Those performing were young tenor (16) Joseph Dahdah, who represented Lebanon in a recent Arabic Music Youth Festival; Charbel Bchara, playing guitar, who is in seventh year at the Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique (The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music); Fadi Tony Arou (16), playing piano, also studying music at the Conservatoire; and Conservatoire teacher Camille Hana, who sung with Joseph.

Among the audience were Mrs Marielle Michel Moawad and Mrs. Randa Jawad Boulos.

Photographs of the evening can be seen in the Galleria

The video of Zgharta born poet, Elias Bou-Issa, interview last month with Mireille Hakim on OTV, now appears on, Youtube, which can be viewed in three parts from here:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Elias was born in Zgharta, 1984, and his parents are Youssef Bou-Issa (Douaihy) and Najah (Issa Bou-Issa).

Today the Lebanese Parliament voted for the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18. All three Zgharta Zawie Members of Parliament agreed to the reduction.

The vote today was under Article 77 of the Lebanese Constitution, which provides that Parliament may request the amendment of the Constitution. The age for voting is prescribe in Article 21of the Constitution, hence why it was necessary for Parliament to vote for the request to amend the Constitution today. The request must be made by at least ten Members of Parliament and voted in favour by at least two thirds of the total number of Members of the Lebanese Parliament. If so voted, the Speaker requests the Government to prepare a draft amendment. The Government has four months to submit to Parliament the draft amendment which is voted on. The full text of Article 77 is reproduced on the Full Story page.

It is generally understood that the first time the new law will come into effect will be the local elections in 2010 and thereafter the general election of 2013.

According to, Statistics Lebanon Limited, the lowering of voting age will result in the following net increase in the number of voters in sectarian terms:

Total Christian voters : 4.52 %
Total Muslim voters : 7.2 %

Commentators write that in 2013, the net effect in sectarian terms will be more balanced, as there are more Christian Lebanese living overseas than Muslim. This balancing out is because in the 2013 General Election, overseas Lebanese on the electoral list will be able to vote without the need to come to Lebanon. Perhaps by 2013 the quoting of such statistics may prove a thing of the past.

When it comes to 2013, with a larger and younger electorate, there is the danger that the old ways of homeland politics compared with more Western ways may turn people off both politically and the wish to preserve their identity as Lebanese, harming Lebanon's long term future. What is certain is that the overseas community will become more targeted by the local parties in the future, easier today with modern technology and communications. Equally such community will have a larger role and voice in the future, which may prove doubled edge for Lebanon's politicians. Like the genie out of the bottle, once given you cannot take back democratic rights if they don't suit you.

Now back to 7th June 2009 - 2 months 2 weeks 5 days away !
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On Friday 6th March 2009, the Lebanese road safety organisation, YASA (Youth Association for Social Awareness) held a lecture at the the Municipal Theatre, Zgharta on road accidents - risks and guidance. Its founder Dr. Ziad Akl spoke, followed by the screening of an documentary. Afterwards Mrs. Nelly Alwan , who lost a son and daughter in a car accident, spoke. The event was organised by El Marada Teachers Association.

Photographs of the event can be seen from the website of YASA

The Association was founded following the tragic death in 1994 of Tarek Assi, in a road accident in Saghbine, West Bekka, at the age of nineteen. Family and friends wanted to prevent other such accidents happening and formed, YASA, a year later. In 1996 it became an officially recognised NGO.

It has broaden its scope, campaigning for such issues as sport injury prevention; better driving licence regulation; speed controls; more & better situated pedestrian crossings and bridges; motorcycle, school bus and truck safety; road maintenance; child safety both in the home and cars; alcohol abuse. It holds seminars across Lebanon with other organisations such as school and councils, holding joint trafffic crash simulations with the Civil Defence and Red Cross.

In July 2007 YASA held a seminar at the Ehden Country Club when it a staged traffic crash simulation with the local Civil Defence and Red Cross enacting their roles.

Later in the year it is believe they will open an office in Zgharta.

The Lebanese online news site iloubnan features today an article on the overtaking of the French language by English in Lebanon. It can be read on the Full Story page.

For balance the French version, which is longer, is also reproduced.

On Friday, 20th March 2009, Francophones, there is estimated to be half a billion in the world, will celebrate the International Day of Francophonie (Célébration de la Journée internationale de la Francophonie.)
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A new tender notice has been published by the Council for Development & Reconstruction (CDR) for the building of a freshwater and wastewater network for Ehden.

Companies who wish to tender must have no more than five pending projects and be able to demonstrate that they have done similar projects in the past and that they have a turnover of 10 million dollars. The deadline for tenders is 12th May 2009.

It is our understanding that the lead company who won the previous tender could not agree final terms causing the re-tender process.

The new tender notice in Arabic and English appears below.

Arabic

English - Google

Last weekend saw Salam Zgharta not playing leaving the bottom half of the First Division still precarious for them. It seems that Al Hikma and Tadamon Sour are slighly edging away leaving only one team, Shabab Al Ghazieh, who could swap the relegation place with Salam.

Place - Name - (Played) - Points

8: Tadamon Sour (15) - 11
9: Al Hikma (14) -9
10: Shabab Al Ghazieh (15) -7
11: Salam Zgharta (15) - 6