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The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb The Social Work League

(The Druze University Graduates/al-Rabita)

Presents

The 1st Druze Immigration Convention

July 25th till July 31st, 2005 - Beirut, Lebanon

Page 1 of 6 The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb

Dear Mrs. / Mr.

We hope this letter finds you in good health,

Since its establishment in 1958, the Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) has been working towards human development and community empowerment through different forms of voluntary services especially university academic support. Today after 47 years of social services, the Social Work League (SWL) takes these actions of human development and community empowerment further forward by making the initiative of getting almost all of the local and international Druze community organizations together at a time of turbulent globalization.

The SWL has the pleasure to invite you to the 1st Druze Immigration Convention (DIC) from July 25th till July 31st, 2005 at the Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel in Beirut.

The 1st DIC addresses issues and problems of great importance to local and international Druze communities and organizations such as their historical and current statuses, their relations with their contexts, their visions and challenges, and their communication channels. In this sense, the 1st DIC acts as a democratic medium of communication and debate that illustrates most of the formerly mentioned issues and attempts to find alternatives and solutions through proposing the foundation of the Druze Immigration Council. If established, the Druze Immigration Council can be the official and professional medium that provides coordination and communication among all local and international Druze community organizations.

The 1st DIC presents a variety of topics organized into three main panels: 1) The Druze Political History, 2) The Druze Religious & Traditional Dimensions, and 3) The Druze Educational & Social Dimensions. The last day of the convention is open for discussions and recommendations as different organizations would have already presented diverse ideas throughout the convention. Moreover, the 1st DIC includes trips to religious, historical, and must-see sites in Lebanon as well as a varied entertainment program.

Finally, through all the late turbulent events in Lebanon, the Lebanese people seem more decided and focused to go forward no matter what. So, the SWL looks forward to your participation in the 1st DIC as a sign of interest in developing our growing Druze community and a sign of support to our beloved country Lebanon. See you in Beirut.

Best Regards,

On behalf of the Social Work League

Judge Sana Karroum

Convention Chairwoman

Page 2 of 6 The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb

Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates)

The 1st Druze Immigration Convention Program

July 25th till July 31st, 2005 - Beirut, Lebanon

Day1

Start of Convention

Mechref Club, Mechref

Mon 25th

  1. • Reception & Registration
  2. • Opening Ceremony:
  3. o The Lebanese National Anthem
  4. o Convention Chairwoman Speech
  5. o Immigrant Communities Speech
  6. o Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Speech
  7. • Cocktail

06:30 pm

07:00 pm

08:00 pm

Day2

The Druze Political History

Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel, Hazmieh

Tues 26th

  1. • Gathering
  2. • 1st Session: The Role of Druze in the Lebanese National History
  3. o Discussants: Samahat al-Said Hani Fahs & Dr. Abbas Abusaleh
  4. o Moderator: Mr. Fouad al-Rayess
  5. o Open Discussion
  6. • Coffee Break
  7. • 2nd Session: The Role of Druze Immigration Organizations abroad & in Lebanon
  8. o Discussants: Dr. Boutros Labki & Mr. Nabih Abulhosn
  9. o Moderator: Ambassador Dr. Latif Abulhosn
  10. o Open Discussion
  11. • Lunch
  12. • 3rd Session: The Current Socio-Political Situation of Druze & Their Relation with Other Groups
  13. o Discussants: Dr. Shafik al-Masry & Judge Abbas al-Halabi
  14. o Moderator: Lawyer Suleiman Takieddine
  15. o Open Discussion
  16. • Beirut by night including a visit to the tomb of late PM Rafic al-Hariri in Beirut Central District

08:30 am

09:00 am

11:00 am

11:30 am

02:00 pm

04:00 pm

08:30 pm

Page 3 of 6 The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb

Day3

The Druze Religious &Traditional Dimensions

House of Druze, Beirut

Wed 27th

  1. • Gathering
  2. • 1st Session: A Cultural Approach to the Druze Religious Heritage
  3. o Discussants: "Al-Irfan" institution & Sheikh Ghassan al-Halabi
  4. o Moderator: Dr. Sami Makarem
  5. o Open Discussion
  6. • Brunch
  7. • 2nd Session: Immigrant Communities’ Reflections on Religious Issues & Problems
  8. o Discussant: Dr. Anis Obeid
  9. o Moderator: Mr. Mustapha Makarem
  10. o Open Discussion
  11. • Heritage & Entertainment night in al-Shouf

08:30 am

09:00 am

11:00 am

12:00 pm

Afternoon

Day4

The Druze Educational & Social Dimensions

Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel, Hazmieh

Thurs 28th

  1. • Gathering
  2. • 1st Session: Educational & Cultural Overview of the Druze Youth
  3. o Discussant: Dr. Leila Harmoush
  4. o Moderator: Dr. Farouk Abikhouzam
  5. o Open Discussion
  6. • Coffee Break
  7. • 2nd Session: Immigrant Communities’ Overview of the Social, Educational & Cultural Reality of the Druze Youth
  8. o Discussant: Dr. Iyad Abushakra
  9. o Moderator: Mr. Joe Abdelhak
  10. o Open Discussion
  11. • Lunch
  12. • 3rd Session: The Status of the local & Immigrant Druze Women
  13. o Discussants: Mrs. Intissar Fouad Abuhamdan & Dr. Intissar Azzam Abulhosn
  14. o Moderator: Dr. Noha al-Ghossainy
  15. o Open Discussion

08:30 am

09:00 am

11:00 am

11:30 am

02:00 pm

04:00 pm

Page 4 of 6 The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb

Day5

Open Discussions

Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel, Hazmieh

Fri 29th

  1. • Gathering
  2. • 1st Session: Summary of All Discussed Papers by Immigrant Communities, Wrap-up & Recommendations
  3. o Moderator: Judge Sana Karroum
  4. • Coffee Break
  5. • 2nd Session: Proposal of The Druze Immigration Council
  6. o Presented by Mr. Ghazi Jumblatt on behalf of the Convention’s Organizing Committee
  7. • Lunch
  8. • 3rd Session: Final Recommendations
  9. • SWL Annual Summer Gala Dinner at Le Pavillion Royal – BIEL, Beirut

08:00 am

09:00 am

11:00 am

11:30 am

01:00 pm

04:00 pm

08:30 pm

Day6

All-Day Trip

Sat 30th

Trip to historical and Druze religious sites in Mount Lebanon

09:00 am

Day7

All-Day Trip

Sun 31st

Trip to the liberated Lebanese areas and Druze religious sites in South Lebanon & Hasbaiah

09:00 am

Contemporary Cultural Exhibition

During the convention, the Social Work League organizes a contemporary cultural exhibition of Druze Literature & art at the Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel all days long.

The Hotel:

The convention is hosted at the Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel in Hazmieh, which is at a mid distance between Beirut and Mount Lebanon; so, you can always visit the lovely Mount Lebanon at this time of the year or enjoy the always vibrant Beirut. In case you decided to stay at the hotel, Social Work League has secured a special room rate of $65/night for deluxe single rooms & $75/night for deluxe double rooms; SWL recommends early reservations to benefit from the special group rates.

Hotel residents can enjoy the following free benefits:

  1. • Daily breakfast buffet at Le Jardin Restaurant
  2. • Underground parking with first class drivers
  3. • In-room coffee/tea facilities
  4. • Body Lines Fitness Center
  5. • Reconfirmation of airlines’ tickets

Page 5 of 6 The 1st Druze Immigration Convention - July 25th till July 31st 2005 – Beirut, Lebanon Social Work League (The Druze University Graduates / al-Rabita) - www.rabita.org.lb

For reservations, please call Miss Diana al-Kara at the Rotana-Hazmieh Hotel on +961-5-458000 or e-mail Miss al-Kara at banquets.hazmieh@rotana.com; you can also reserve online by visiting www.rotana.com.

The Cost:

To attend all of the convention, a convention participant can get a full package at $285 (USD Two hundred & Eighty Five). A full package includes: opening ceremony, four days lectures + lunch, Heritage & entertainment night, Gala Dinner, two days trips, and all transportations of the convention.

To attend some of the convention, a convention participant can get single events at the following rates:

  1. • Three days lunch+Brunch .....................................................$100 (USD Hundred)
  2. • Heritage & Entertainment Night ............................................$20 (USD Twenty)
  3. • Gala Dinner at Le Pavillion Royal- BIEL ...............................$100 (USD Hundred)
  4. • Trip to Mount Lebanon + lunch .............................................$30 (USD Thirty)
  5. • Trip to South Lebanon & Hasbaiah including + lunch ...........$30 (USD Thirty)
  6. • Transportation throughout the convention (from & to hotel)...$40 (USD Forty)

The Booking:

For booking and information, please use the convention-specific e-mail rabita_convention@yahoo.com. You can also contact the Social Work League at the following numbers: Tel / Fax: +961 1 353215 & Mobile: +961 3 956015. The SWL e-mail is rabita@rabita.org.lb & the SWL website is www.rabita.org.lb.

Deadline for booking packages is June 10, 2005

Looking forward to see you all,

On behalf of the Social Work League

The 1st Druze Immigration Convention Committee

Page 6 of 6

 © 2005 the Druze History and Culture. All Rights Reserved

Music Courtesy of al-Kindi Group, Classical and Spiritual Arabic Music

for further information, please contact Fawwaz Zedan at:
 fawwazzedan@sbcglobal.net
               or, Michael Najjar at: michaeljnajjar@yahoo.com