الوزير باسيل يكريم سيادة المطران جوزيف زحلاوي ، رئيس أساقفة نيويورك ، ومتروبوليتان لأبرشية أنطاكية الأرثوذكسية بأمريكا الشمالية ، ،في يوم التراث اللبناني قي بروكلين

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants second stop in the U.S. was NY, with the Lebanese Community.  H.E. Gebran Bassil stressed the importance of registering in Lebanity and the importance of equal rights for the Lebanese female with regard  to Lebanese citizenship of her children. The Rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall, with over 200 guests in attendance,  minister Bassil participated in the Lebanese Heritage celebration. Borough President Eric L. Adams thanked the guests and presented Consul General Majdi Ramadan with a  citation in recognition of his dedication to the Lebanese community. His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of North America,  for the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, over 300 churches, was honored for his dedication and leadership . The Master of Ceremony,  H.C. John Abi Habib opened the celebration with the American and Lebanese National Anthem.  He expressed the importance of the Lebanese community in the fabric of the city.  For over 150 years the Lebanese contributed to the growth of NY in civil,  civic,  government,  education,  finance,  real estate, politics, fire and police departments.  It was noted that just a few blocks from Borough Hall,  the Lebanese community settled and opened its first Arabic newspaper, middle eastern  businesses, and established the Pen League الرابطة القلمية. In September,  the Lebanese community begins plans for next year- the 100th year of the formation of the Pen League and the 75th anniversary of the Salaam Club of NY.  H.C. John Abi Habib invited guests to a reception with Lebanese food and wine in celebration of their heritage.   Under the patronage and presence of Minister Gebran Bassil,  dignitaries present,   H.E. Fady Jreissati, Archbishop Anoushavan Tanelian, ZArchbishop Metropolitan Joseph, C.G. Majdi Ramadan, BP Eric Adams,  guests were thanked for attending this memorable heritage celebration. Photos courtesy of John Abi-Habib