The illustrious singer, philanthropist, and Lebanese icon, Magida El Roumi, gave a moving performance from the heart of Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) at a fundraising event dedicated to supporting students’ tuition fees. In Zouk Mosbeh, a lively crowd gathered in the Main Campus’ open area to enjoy the concert on Sunday, June 25, El Roumi’s distinguished voice charging the brisk evening air.
Aligning with the event’s theme, “For the Future of Lebanon and its Youth,” El Roumi prefaced her concert set list with a speech in which she discussed the somber circumstances of the country’s economic crisis and the subsequent increase of Lebanese youth emigrating for the sake of financial security and a stable livelihood. She began by quoting St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1).” The thread that unites a country and thus allows it to thrive is a divine love that is ordered towards the good of one’s neighbor. El Roumi attributes the present circumstances to a lack of love in Lebanon as an institution, wherein instead leaders have failed to show love to their people and therefore have brought misfortune upon them.
“I do not agree that any of this is an unfortunate accident,” said El Roumi, “but rather the natural result of a structure that was deliberately built to fall apart.” The socio-political sphere, however, is not cause for a despairing spirit, particularly among the youth. She noted that, “despite all the obstacles set in place, families and communities have stood by one another to sustain that uniting thread, and it is for this reason that our children are still able to pursue their education, sweat and tears notwithstanding.”
Given that the freedom of expression, creativity, the arts, and the press remains alive, Lebanon is set to regain its glory by way of its youth, who, although may be emigrating, are the key to a prosperous future. “Until that day arrives,” El Roumi asserted, “it is enough for our schools and universities to be filled with creative minds, and the culture thriving. Insofar as this is the case, we can say that Lebanon’s spirit is in good hands.”
El Roumi’s concluding sentiment was that each individual, no matter where he or she is planted, has a message and a responsibility to spread that message for the sake of Lebanon. “God is on the side of righteousness, and His voice is a voice of peace. All will be well.”
Fr. Bechara Khoury, NDU President, joined the singer on the stage to thank her for her generous spirit, and expressed admiration for her deep love of Lebanon. “El Roumi embodies the love in Gibran Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, knowing herself and giving of herself from the bottom of her heart.” The Father President referred to her as the country’s ambassador par excellence, and gave her a final thanks on behalf of the University, the youth of Lebanon, and all who see hope on the horizon because of her remarkable faith.
He then bestowed upon her a trophy bearing the face of the Blessed Virgin as a token of appreciation, friendship, and reverence. The concert then proceeded with a catalog of El Roumi’s greatest pieces, including a love letter to Beirut, Beirut Sit Al-Dunya.