The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), and the High Priestly Sisters of the Sacred Hearts celebrated the “World Day to Live Together in Peace” in Baalbeck, in the presence of Mr. Naji Al-Khouri, in charge of the Presidency of the Lebanese Republic, governor of Baalbeck-Hermel, Mr. Bachir Khodr, mayor of Baalbeck Municipality General Hussein Al-Lakkis, representative of the minister of foreign affairs, Gebran Bassil, Mr. Danny Rufail, director of Catholic Schools, Father Boutros Azar, representative of the “Religions” Association, Maysam Emad, his Eminence the Grand Mufti Bakr Al-Refai, Sheikh Khalil Madi, Archbishop Elias Rahal, and social and civil figures.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence for the Maronite Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir. The words were given to the founder of LOST, Dr. Rami Lakkis, Sister Georgette Khalaf, Mr. Dany Khoury, Mr. Bachir Khodr, Mrs. Maysam Emad, and Father Boutros Azar. The words stressed the importance of celebrating this day and its values of love, peace, accepting and respecting others, and renouncing violence and terrorism.
The ceremony included the participation of artist Jahida Wehbe, in which she sang for love and peace. Students from the Sacred Heart Sisters and LOST also offered artistic presentations encouraging coexistence, as there was a special message from Jahida Wehbe delivered to the participants.
At the end of the event, all those present, along with Father Boutros Azar, read in one voice the document of the Holy See on the humanitarian brotherhood for world peace and coexistence, signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. They also announced that Baalbeck joined the international cities celebrating the “International Day to Live Together in Peace”.
