AUXILIA OHIO CHAPTER HONORS;

MAY CHIDIAC

by; Fatina Salaheddine

 

Auxilia is a Lebanese Non-profit Charitable Organization dedicated to the relief of orphans, widows, the physically challenged, and the elderly. Through various humanitarian programs and with the support of a group of sister organizations, Auxilia strives to make necessary changes in the lives of the Lebanese children, families and communities. Auxilia provides relief for those in need through moral and material support. Orphans from Lebanon's civil war, are provided with an education and medical attention. Widows are trained to meet their job opportunities’ requirements enabling them to financially support themselves and maintain the unity of their families. In return, the physically challenged and the elderly are supplied with necessary food, medical care and financial support.

 

On the evening of November 25th, 2008 Auxilia's Ohio Chapter held their annual charity event, with this year honoring; Dr. May Chidiac - a prominent Lebanese journalist - as their "Woman of the Year".  As the attendees dined and wined, all was in full attention as the recipient accepted her "Woman of the Year" Award and gave her speech; 

“They killed me, you know, they killed me…That is to say, can you imagine a woman like me with half a body? An independent woman, who used to be compared to a butterfly because my feet never touched the ground, because I was so busy. I never walked anywhere, in a hurry all the time…I did four political shows every morning, then the news, taught at the university and continued working on my doctoral thesis. I had a very active social life, very active. I was devouring life non-stop…and then I was crippled, struck down. In fact they wanted me dead.”

“Heaven can wait” is the title of May Chidiac’s book, detailing her Lebanese political life and near-death in a car bomb three years ago. And in gratitude to Saudi Prince HRH Alwaleed bin Talal's full financial support for Chidiac's 29 operations and hospital and hotel care in Paris which saved her life - but cost her her left arm and a leg.   

“I am a war child. In my opinion our most important cause, and it always has been, is the cause of our independence, Lebanon’s freedom.

When I decided to study journalism and work in the media it wasn’t only for purely political reasons. I loved television, I said to my mother all the time ‘I don’t want to go through life unknown’...but in any case at that time I didn’t think I’d make it…not really make it, to become internationally famous after I was victim of an attack.”

Surviving her car-bombing was a miracle for the prominent anti-Syrian journalist. She bacame a symbol for the 14th of March movement, born and named after the massive demonstration of popular disgust following the murder of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.

The movement culminated in forcing Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. Then came Israel’s bombardment of the south in 2006. The movement’s euphoria has been short-lived. After a long political crisis the promise of a new government and relaunched national unity has rekindled hope, however fragile:

“Unfortunately until now every time we’ve thought we could see the light art the end of the tunnel, it’s got further away. Before I dreamt, I hoped, and I believed one day the opression would end. But independence? That lasts only until the Syrians return, one way or another, maybe without their army, but with their Lebanese agents and the politicans in their pocket, and the pro-Iranians…then we’ll see about independence. It will just be like the revolution never happened, and it’s that that makes me angry now.

“With daring” is the title of May Chidiac’s show currently on LBC; political debate she has chaired since returning to broadcasting on LBC in 2006. She still works under several death threats.  But she refuses to censor her freedom of speech:

“It would be nice if everyone respected each others ideologies , began thinking this way, and began thinking this way at home. But just don’t try to impose your ideas in my house…  I don’t want to carry on fighting the war against Israel until the end of time. My country has been freed, and we can get a diplomatic solution to the Cheeba farms…I don’t argue that Israel is the enemy; Israel always works in support of its own interests, but I don’t want to provoke Israel. I don’t want to bring down bombs on my country, for Israel to declare war on Lebanon. Then all our bridges are destroyed, and our infrastructure shattered so we have to build it again. Enough! I’ve had it with war. I want to live in a free country where, just like in any other democratic coutry, we fight battles, but political ones, not with guns. Hezbollah will not be able to seize the country with weapons, in the long term it’s unworkable, because there would always be a popular revolt against them, just like the resistance they wage on Israel. The Sunnis would never accept them. The Druze refuse to accept them now. The Christians certainly won’t. We have to learn to live together in peace. We waged war once, but we as true Lebanese - we’ve had our fill.”

The evening ended with the audience asking questions in a 15 minute Q & A session with Chidiac, then rallying around her for pictures and casual singing, led by the beautiful voice of singer Nina Boutros, who happened to be in the audience. She sang the famous Fairouz song; "bhebak ya Lubnan, ya watani ib'habak".  And being that the Auxilia event was held only 3 days after the Lebanese National Day... I found that song to be most appropriately sung!

 

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AUXILIA UPDATE:

It is with great pleasure to inform you that the USA National Board has unanimously voted for Mr. Najib Rashed, To be the President of the American Foundation for Auxilia.

Mr. Rashed, who is our current chapter head in Cleveland Ohio, has graciously accepted this position and commensurate tremendous responsibility.  He is an entrepreneur, restaurateur and owner of a video production company and is highly regarded and well respected in his community.  His commitment and determination to the needy Orphan, widow and the elderly in Lebanon has never wavered in the past 5 years.  Please welcome Mr. Rashed to this great post and extend to him your generosity and cooperation in order to add more smiles to the faces of so many children who need all of us.

 

Thank you, George Thomas (Auxilia Secretary General)