Deputy World Secretary General, World Lebanese Cultural Union, Dr. Nick Kahwaji, Visits LERC
19 August 2008
Reported by Elie Nabhan
Ms. Hourani presents Dr. Khawaji with copies of LERC publications. (August 2008)
Dr. Nick Kahwaji, Lebanese migrant and Canadian resident, Deputy World Secretary General of the World Lebanese Cultural Union, in Vancouver, British Columbia and interested on Lebanese migration in its variety of forms, paid a visit to the Lebanese Emigration Research Center, where he met LERC Director Ms. Guita Hourani, and was shown around the Lebanese Migration University Museum by LERC team member Mr. Elie Nabhan.
Dr. Kahwaji was impressed by the LERC nucleus collections on Lebanese migration, on display at the Lebanese Migration University Museum at NDU, as well as with the electronic archives collection.
As Vice-President of the WLCU, Dr. Kahwaji was presented with a copy of all LERC publications, which in turn would be donated for use by students in the Middle East program at the Center for Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures, Department of History, at the Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, British Columbia. Along with other donations, LERC’s publications will be added to a collection being established in honor of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Gebran Khalil Gebran, the world famous Lebanese poet, philosopher and humanist.
Dr. Kahwaji was also impressed by the NDU campus and especially by the bronze bust of Gebran, sculptured by creative artist Rudy Rahmeh, standing guard with other Lebanese personalities in the NDU Hall of Fame.
Dr. Kahwaji also mentioned the possibility of a Canadian commemorative stamp in honor of Gebran being pursued, which he felt would be just right for display among the other migrant stamps in the LERC collection at the museum.
Dr. Kahwaji and Director Hourani discussed possible cooperation particularly in regard to assisting LERC with its efforts to collect artifacts and publications on Lebanese migration. Dr. Kahwaji promised to urge efforts in this regard with Lebanese communities world wide and with that of Canada in particular.
