The Lebanese Forces Students Association of North America

http://www.lebanese-forces.com/ar/artde.asp?newsid=62723

مصلحة طلاب “القوات اللبنانيّة” في أميركا الشماليّة تطلق “جائزة بيار بولس للابداع”

اطلقت مصلحة طلاّب القوّات اللبنانيّة في أميركا الشماليّة “جائزة بيار بولس للابداع” خلال المؤتمر السنوي للقوات في أميركا الشماليّة الذي استضافته مدينة ديترويت في ولاية ميشيغن الأميركية. 

وقد أعلن رئيس مصلحة الطلاب غوستاف قرداحي اطلاق الجائزة خلال عرضه عن الاوضاع الطالبيّة للحضور في المؤتمر. ستمنح الجائزة بشكل سنوي لشخص أو لمجموعة ضمن مصلحة الطلاب، وسيعلن عن الفائز خلال المؤتمر العام لأميركا الشماليّة من كل سنة. 

ترتكز الجائزة على عدة عوامل منها الالتزام، التميّز والمساهمة الفعّالة في عمل مصلحة الطلاب ككل. كذلك ستؤخذ بعين الاعتبار النتائج الاكاديمية والحضور الفاعل على المستوى الاجتماعي. ويمكن أن تمنح الجائزة بناءً على مشروع واحد يضمّ عوامل الابداع، ويمكن أن تمنح على أساس تصرّف مثالي عام خلال السّنة. 

واعتبر قرداحي أنّ مصلحة الطلاب في أميركا الشّماليّة أرادت تخليد ذكرى الشهيد بيار بولس عبر هذه التحيّة السنوية المتمثلة بالجائزة التي تحمل اسمه، مبدياً ثقته بأن مبادرات كهذه تحفّز الشباب والطلاب على الاحتذاء بأمثال بيار بولس، من خلال اتّفاني في الابداع والعطاء من أجل قضيّة القوات اللبنانيّة المقدّسة في كل زمان ومكان.

بيان مصلحة طلاّب القوّات اللّبنانيّة في أميركا الشّماليّة تضامناً مع مايا كيروز وشربل عيد

 بعد الاعتداء الهمجيّ الّذي تعرّضت له الرّفيقة مايا كيروز بسبب تعبيرها الحرّ عن انتمائها السّياسي، أعيدت الكرّة مع رفيقنا شربل عيد في منطقة اهدن ولأسباب مشابهة. انّنا في مصلحة طلاّب القوّات اللّبنانيّة في أميركا الشّماليّة، ننظر بشديد من الأسى والاستنكار الى تلك الاحداث المؤلمة الّتي تعيد بذاكرتنا الى أزمانٍ غابرة وتحاول نقل صورة لبنان من واحة للحرّيّات والحضارة الى ساحة للقمع ورفض الرّأي الآخر. انّه من المؤسف أن نرى بعض المنتمين الى جهات سياسيّة معروفة، يستلهمون من ممارسات بعض الأنظمة الّتي يتباهون بالتّحالف معها، ناسين أنّ من دفع دماً عبر التّاريخ من أجل الحرّيّة والعيش الكريم، لن تُرهبه أفعال ميليشويّة جبانة كهذه. واذ نكرّر تضامننا مع رفيقتنا مايا ورفيقنا شربل، نناشد القوى الأمنيّة بأخذ أقسى التّدابير الآيلة لعدم تكرار أحداث مماثلة، تفادياً لتغذية النّعرات وتعميق الشّروخ وزرع الفتن، ومنعاً لتشويه صورة لبنان الثّقافة والحياة في الخارج. ونرجو من اللّبنانيّين عموماً والمسيحيّين خصوصاً، التّحلّي بالصّبر والانفتاح والتّعالي عن التّصرّفات الغرائزيّة غير المسؤولة من أجل شموخ الوطن وسلامة المواطن، لأنّ “كلّ مملكةٍ تنقسم على نفسها تخرب، وكلّ مدينةٍ أو بيتٍ ينقسم على نفسه لا يثبُت”.       

The Montreal Chapter of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA) organized a mass commemorating the seventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Ramzi Irani and remembering all the Lebanese Forces martyrs, on Sunday May 10, 2009 .

The mass, held at Saint-Antoine le Grand church, was attended by members of the Ottawa LFSANA Chapter in addition to various local Lebanese Forces supporters. Furthermore, a reception followed the mass: it featured the screening of a documentary retracing the life and achievements of Martyr Ramzi Irani and highlighting the historical primary role of students within the Lebanese Forces.

The event featured many speakers, including Father Talal Hachem, Montreal LF Chapter President Hisham Eid and Montreal LFSANA Chapter Secretary Nassif Seif.

On May 1st 2009, the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA) witnessed the transition to a new leadership headed by Gustave Cordahi.

Below is the Inaugural Message that was issued by Cordahi as he assumed his new responsibilities. The message was addressed to the LFSANA members.

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Dear Comrades,

It is a real honor and a great privilege for me to be addressing you for the first time as the President of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America. I am proud to lead a unique group of young people full of qualities, dedication and ambitions. You do not only excel in your studies, succeed in your work and cruise in your respective lives, but you also deeply heart Lebanon. You do not only care about personal interests, academic issues or professional dilemmas, but you also offer time and donate passion for a sacred cause. You do not get dragged by the noise of the superficialities of your daily lives, but you link your minds and your souls to the real essence of existence through prayers, gatherings and charity work. Because you dearly value such principles, you are not simply young Lebanese living in the USA or Canada, but you are the Lebanese Forces Students of North America.

The Lebanese Forces Party is not a closed institution, hampered by interests or driven by arrogance. There is ample space within the Lebanese Forces ranks for every Patriot and every Believer in Lebanon. However, there is no place for opportunism and selfishness inside the Lebanese Forces. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces goes beyond following leaders, repeating slogans or memorizing hymns. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces does not only mean hunting for political seats or adding numbers to crowds. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces is an act of faith, a revelation of commitment and a continuous exercise of activism for Lebanon. 

 Dear Friends, 

Our role as Students in North America is to make sure that the boat of the Lebanese Forces keeps on sailing in this part of the world. Our role as Creative Minds is to keep on bringing ideas and offering alternatives towards an increasingly strong Party and an ultimately flourishing Land of the Cedars. Our role as Christian Youth is to continue our mission and preserve our culture, in a world where our values are constantly attacked and for the sake of a Lebanon where the threat of our strong Presence turning into a mere Existence becomes more and more pressing.

After having headed the Lebanese Forces Chapter at the American University of Beirut, along with my ongoing tasks in the Lebanese Information Center and the LF Washington DC Chapter; I find myself today ready to take the challenge of serving our cause from a new angle and with a wider horizon.  Let us not complain about the problems and the shortcomings of Lebanon, but let us rather find ways to offer our homeland the care it deserves. We versed tears and lost many dear comrades, but we always stood up and continued the fight. Let us accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. 

Stand with me for Bachir Gemayel, Ramzi Irani and all the martyrs of the Lebanese Resistance! Stand with me for our Church, our past and our ancestors who lived and believed in the Land of the Cedars! Stand with me for Qannoubine, Harissa, Maghdouche, Kfifane, Jrebta and Annaya! Stand with me for the strong Cedar Tree that resembles our eternal commitment! As I ask God to help me and guide me through my new mission, I sincerely hope to meet all of you, around interesting corners in North America or under Pine Trees caressed by the Mediterranean sun in Lebanon..

Yours Truly,

Gustave Cordahi, B.Eng., M.Sc.

President of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA)

On Sunday, February 10, 2008, the LFSANA NE Pennsylvania chapter gathered in Easton, PA at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church to celebrate a mass in the memory of all Lebanese Martyrs. Afterwards, we hosted a brunch in the social hall, where information about what we want to grow in this area was distributed. The gentlemen who made their way to Easton gathered at Queens Deli in Fogelsville, PA and discussed where we are and where we want to go with the organization in the area. Necessary steps were planned to allow for us to grow in Easton, including establishment of monthly meeting. On behalf of the LFSANA NE Pennsylvania Chapter, I’d like to thank all those that made it possible to make it to the mass and activities that followed especially Elie (NJ Chapter President), Mike , Fadi (NY Chapter) and his parents, Simon, Edgar, Wissam (President of LFSANA), and Rani (VP of LFSANA). We’d like to also thank Abouna Kamil Al-Chouifati for a beautiful mass. May God bless the members of the LFSANA who work hard to help this organization strive and move forward. Finally, this was a very successful 1^st event and meeting for both LFSANA and the Lebanese Forces Chapter NE PA , and a great opportunity to meet and coordinate with members of other area Chapters. Our focus now is to grow both NE PA Chapters, spread the Lebanese Forces values, and play a positive role in our communities keeping focused on the Lebanese Forces ultimate goals and strive to achieve them.

On Jan 26, 2008 the Toronto Lebanese Forces Student Association held its first general meeting. All who attended were extremely excited to get started on organizing events that centered on many different issues. Everyone’s main goals were for the group to become a better network for new LF students arriving in Toronto, working with the media to further our cause, and planning many other events for the future. The students were joined by the Toronto Chapter president, Philippe Sader, who reminded the students why they were gathered and what they are working for. Many students became involved in his speech and questions and debate took centre stage.

During the meeting, it was determined that in order to keep focused especially in Lebanon’s current time of need, we must remember what the cause means to us and those who died fighting for it. A quick vote was taken and a secretary was chosen and was approved by the Toronto Lebanese Forces Student Association president. Our next meeting is planned to take place mid-February, followed by regular monthly meetings. Overall, it was a successful first meeting, as everyone got to know each other, and were determined to make this meeting a stepping stone to a very fruitful future.

The Lebanese Forces Students in Cleveland, OH held their first meeting on Saturday, January 19th at the Quality Inn in Richfield, OH.
More than 150 people were present. Guests started arriving around 8:30 and everyone gathered for a brunch. Then the program started; President of the Lebanese Forces Chapter in Cleveland Dr. Chris Nasr, LFSANA Coordinator in Ohio Ms. Abir Hatem, and the President of LFSA were the speakers of the event.

All students and guests were invited to attend a meeting after viewing the movie “Tahet Sama Lebnan.” During the meeting, the LFSA president addressed the students and emphasized the importance of participating in forming the chapters in various universities in the area as well as well as committing to the upcoming events and meetings that will take place in the future. The Vice President of LFSANA and Abir addressed the group about several other important issues that the students show know about as well.

The Lebanese Forces Students in the area are very thankful and honored to have had the LFSA and the Chief Coordinator of the area, Mr. Tarek Madi, present at the event. Their attendance and support were very much appreciated.

Please visit the LFSANA Facebook group to view pictures of the event.
Thank you for all those who attended this event, and big thanks to all those who contributed to its success. We are looking forward to seeing you all in future meetings and events.

   The Lebanese Forces-Michigan Chapter, has always been known for its successful and continuous activities and effort  throughout many years in the U.S. And on Thursday, December 6, 2007, the Students division held its first official meeting. Many students from different universities and colleges showed up.

     Various topics and issues were discussed in this meeting. Since it was the first meeting,  a great part was dedicated to the LFSANA . Another part discussed the LF-MI chapter and its accomplishments throughout the years.  Then, students were given the chance to introduce themselves and share why they were pro-LF. It was interesting to see the many reasons that influenced students to become LFers.

   Many more topics were discussed in the meeting, and everyone showed great enthusiasm and professionalism.

   We will always be keeping you updated with any events in Michigan. Wishing all the rifa2 in North America great success.

                                                                                                                              T.M.