(Beirut - Al Bireh: 29/11/2018): A ceremony was held at the Lebanese University in Beirut to mark the Society’s 50th anniversary. The ceremony was attended by PRCS’ President Dr. Younis Al Khatib, the President of the Lebanese Red Cross Dr. Antoine Zoghbi and the President of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society Dr. Yassin Abbas. Several other prominent personalities were also present, including Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon Ashraf Dabbour, Lebanese poet Zahi Wehbe as well as numerous representatives of international and humanitarian organizations working in Lebanon, key Palestinian and Lebanese figures and a large crowd.
The ceremony started with the Palestinian and Lebanese national anthems, followed by the projection of a film highlighting the great achievements made by PRCS in Palestine and the Diaspora, mainly in Syria and Lebanon. PRCS’ President then took the floor to underscore the work done by the Society over the past half-decade: “The past fifty years bear witness to the humanitarian role played by PRCS’ staff and volunteers as well as to the important contributions made by the Lebanese Red Cross and many other sister National Societies. PRCS has faced the same challenges as the Palestinian National Movement of which it has been part and parcel since the beginning of the Palestinian National Struggle in 1965”.
In his address, the President of the Lebanese Red Cross said his Society shall always stand by and provide support to PRCS out of solidarity with the Palestinian Society and based on a sense of partnership, mutual trust and respect. “It is our love of voluntary service and our humanity that bring us together to allay all suffering and fulfill our duties”, he added.
Ambassador Dabbour lauded PRCS and its services, especially in Lebanon. He paid tribute to its founder late Dr. Fathi Arafat and to the Society’s staff, volunteers and martyrs. “PRCS is a key milestone of the Palestinian National Struggle”, he said. Dabbour also thanked the Lebanese government and people for the support they provide to Palestinians and to their institutions in Lebanon, and especially to PRCS.
Mr. Wehbe said that PRCS was more than a health and social organization: it is a humanitarian organization that has been part of the Palestinian national struggle for decades and that has made many sacrifices so that Palestinians can enjoy freedom and independence. He then read a poem entitled “You will have a State” which he wrote about PRCS.
PRCS’ officials then honoured a number of the Society’s founding members, doctors and retirees, as well as several Arab and international doctors, mainly Greek doctor Christos Giannou and Dr. Swee Ang PRCS’ President and Ambassador Dabbour were also honoured.
The ceremony concluded with songs by Palestinian singer Ammar Hassan and folkloric dances by the Kouffieh Heritage Troupe.
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