Check Archive

March 2009

• Scoop of March 1 published an appeal by a number of academics and individuals from around the world to remove the Palestinian group Hamas off the European Union's Terror List. Among the individuals who signed the appeal was Associate Professor at the American University of Beirut, Sari Hanafi.

• Al-Rai (Jordan) of March 1 published a political piece arguing that democracy is not treated in a sacred manner as the United States claims it should be. The paper included a quotation by Christopher Hitchens during a lecture he was giving recently at AUB.

• The Middle East Online of March 2 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about Iran, Syria and Hamas recent openness towards holding talks with the new American administration. He said, The supposedly intense ideological differences with America's foes are not so intractable after all and can be overcome with some rational discussions and compromises; and, when the United States treats others as equals, and drops the arrogant divine mandate nonsense, good things can happen for all concerned.â?

• Al-Rai (Kuwait) of March 3 and 14 March of March 4 published an editorial assessing the current relationship between the Syrian and the Lebanese governments. The paper cited the example of the former Syrian foreign minister and current vice president Farouk Al-Sharaa who had an open heart surgery at AUBMC a few years ago (October 1999).

• The Middle East Online and the Middle East Times of March 5 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the recent aid pledged by the international community to assist in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He observed that such aid serves to divert people's attention away from the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Khouri said, Throwing large amounts of money into Palestinian reconstruction while reinforcing a political context that only perpetuates Israel's regular destruction of Palestinian institutions is wasteful folly at best, and complicity in criminality at worst.

• Al-Rai (Kuwait) of March 3 and 14 March of March 4 published an editorial assessing the current relationship between the Syrian and the Lebanese governments. The paper cited the example of the former Syrian foreign minister and current vice president Farouk Al-Sharaa who had an open heart surgery at AUBMC a few years ago (October 1999).

• Al-Liwa' of March 4 and Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of March 5 carried the announcement by AUB that its Director of the Information and Public Relations Ibrahim Khoury will retire as of October 1, 2009. The papers said that Khoury has served the University in this post for 16 years during which he worked on promoting the image and mission of AUB to the local, regional, and international press. The papers also said that prior to assuming directorship of the office in 1991, Khoury had worked in journalism for 22 years.

• Ahram Weekly Newspaper of March 5 reported on the formation of the international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and fears that the proceedings of the trial may be politicized. Shakif Masri, a professor of international law at the American University of Beirut, said that the court cannot be politically manipulated because it includes Lebanese and foreign judges, noting that past international trials have not witnessed political meddling.

• AME Info (UAE) of March 6 reported on the gala dinner and press conference led by Nasib Nasr, the regional director of AUBMC's Children's Cancer Center in Lebanon, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Doha, Qatar in which he presented the recent accomplishments of the Center.

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of March 6 published an article discussing the reverse migration of Lebanese employed in the Gulf countries and who have lost their jobs due to the recent world financial crisis. The paper quoted AUB professor of economics Sabah El-Hajj as saying "the number of Lebanese employees who have returned to Lebanon after being fired from their jobs in the gulf exceed 4000."

• AME Info of March 7 reported on the conclusion of an intensive financial management program at the American University of Beirut that was sponsored by Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC). For 16 weeks you have persevered through advanced classes in finances that taught you themes that have always been important but never as important as now, with the financial crisis we are going through, said George Najjar, Dean of the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, during the graduation ceremony that was held on March 5.

• Al-Akhbar of March 7 and Arab 48 (Palestine) of March 8 published an article featuring Christopher Hitchens, author, literary critic and journalist, who was lectured last month at AUB.

• As-Safir, The Daily Star, and Al-Anwar of March 7, the Kuwait News Agency (Kuwait) of March 8, and Al-Moheet (Egypt) and Al-Rai (Jordan) of March 9 reported that 23 students from Gulf Cooperation Council countries graduated from a special 16-week advanced financial management program held at AUB. The papers said that the program was designed and delivered by the Olayan School of Business at AUB, under the umbrella of the Regional External Programs at the University and with the full support of the Gulf Investment Corporation.

• Arab Times of March 9 and Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Maktoob Business, Middle East Events, and redtram of March 8 reported on a comprehensive training program in Financial Management at the American University of Beirut sponsored by Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) that was held at the University from October 30, 2008 until March 6, 2009. Mr. Hisham Al-Razzuqi, the CEO of GIC, said at the graduation ceremony that the Corporation entrusted the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business to prepare this program, as it is considered amongst the best research centers for education and training in the region.

• Iranian Quran News Agency of March 9 and Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) of March 8 reported on the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) urging Muslim countries to improve the conditions of women and make better use of them in social and economic fields. The ISESCO issued its call in light of the International Women's Day. The article noted that among the six ISESCO's science prize laureates in 2008 are two women, Dr. Hala Ghali Muhatasib from the American University in Beirut and Dr. Shershiali Zarel of Kyrgyzstan.

• Middle East Events and AME Info of March 9 reported Lebanese former Prime Minister and former professor of economics at the American University of Beirut, Salim al-Hoss as saying that the world economic crisis is set to last years, rather than several months. Hoss is scheduled to participate as a keynote speaker in the Arab Investment Forum (AIF) to be held in March 24-25 in Dubai.

• The Peninsula Qatar of March 9 reported that 24 fresh graduates from the GCC have completed a training in the Advanced Financial Management Program sponsored by the Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) at the American University of Beirut.

• The Middle East Online of March 9 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the recent visit of two American diplomats to Syria in what he observed was an acknowledgement of the new American administration that the United States past policies in the region have failed.

• Al-Arabia (UAE), Al-Ghad (Jordan), and Al-Rai (Jordan) of March 9 reported on the recent resignation of Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad in preparation and hopes for a national unity government. The paper said that Fayyad graduated from AUB with a bachelor's degree in engineering.

• Al-Jareeda (Kuwait) of March 9 reported on an exhibition of works of four Lebanese contemporary artists held in the Kuwaiti Dar Al-Funun. The paper said that one of the displaying artists, Hugette Khoury, studied fine arts at AUB.

• Al-Rai (Jordan) of March 9 reported on a lecture given by Naef Abu 'Ubayd on the Jordanian literary movement which started a little after the first group of Jordanian students studied at AUB in 1932.

• Ar-Rouiah (Kuwait) of March 10 published a profile of world-renowned Palestinian physicist Munir Nayfeh. The paper said that Nayfeh, who is a specialist in nanotechnology, graduated with a BS in physics from AUB in 1968.

• Al-Waqt (Bahrain), the Peninsula (Qatar), and the Arab Times (Kuwait) of March 10 reported that 23 students from Gulf Cooperation Council countries graduated from a special 16-week advanced financial management program held at AUB. The papers said that the program was designed and delivered by the Olayan School of Business at AUB, under the umbrella of the Regional External Programs at the university and with the full support of the Gulf Investment Corporation.

• Al-Wassat (Bahrain) of March 10 published an article by Abd Al-Nabi Al-Akari in which he describes the echoes of the 1965 Bahraini revolution in Beirut while he was still a student at AUB as an important event in the history of the country.

• Gulf News of March 11 reported on Anbara Khalidi, a Lebanese woman who led the way towards the modernization of the country, and especially in the field of women's rights. Born in 1897, her openness towards the ways of the West is credited to her parents who sought for her the best education available before enrolling her in Anglican Syrian College in Beirut, which later became the American University of Beirut.

• The Middle East Online of March 11 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, on how the United States is attempting to hold talks with various nations in the Middle East in a step that marks a change in U.S. foreign policy. He observed, Grand bargain peacemaking in the greater Middle East region requires the sort of complex analysis leading to agreements that satisfy the needs of all sides, and Americans are very good at it.

• Al-Rai (Kuwait) of March 14 reported that 6 Kuwaiti students were among 23 students from Gulf Cooperation Council countries who took a special 16-week advanced financial management program at AUB. The papers said that the program was designed and delivered by the Olayan School of Business at AUB, under the umbrella of the Regional External Programs at the university and with the full support of the Gulf Investment Corporation.

• Ad-Dustur (Jordan) of March 14 published the profile of pioneer Jordanian politician Abd Al-Mun'im Al-Rifa'i who graduated from AUB in 1938.

• Al-Awan (Jordan) of March 14 published a profile carried the announcement by AUB and its Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Department of Arabic Language and Literature that Muhammad Yusuf Najm, Professor Emeritus of Arabic at AUB, has passed away. The papers said that Dr. Najm was a professor for over 50 years, teaching Arabic literature to students at AUB for over 25 years, as well to students at Harvard University in 1972 and at Kuwait University in 1969.

• Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation of March 14 reported the death of Palestinian writer Mohammad Yusuf Najm. Born in Palestine in 1925, he earned a BA in Arabic language at the American University of Beirut in 1946 and a Masters degree from the Fouad I University in Cairo in 1951. His literary works include, The Collection of Poems of Abdullah bin Qais Al Ruqaiyat.

• Al-Ghad (Jordan) of March 16 published a profile of Bassam Khalil Al-Sakit, a Jordanian politician and businessman, whose wife is an AUB graduate.

• Ad-Dustur (Jordan) of March 17 published an article debating the fairness of the recent decision to try the president of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir in The Hague for crimes that he had allegedly committed against humanity in Darfur. The paper quoted AUB professor of political studies Kareem Madisi as saying that being selective in choosing whom to try has political connotations and serves the ulterior motives of some nations.

• Kurdistan Observer of March 17 reported on the debate over the naming of the American University of Slemani in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. The debate centers over whether it should be named The American University of Slemania or The American University of Slemania Kurdistan similar to other American universities in the region that are named according to the city they are located such as the American University of Beirut.

• The Middle East Online of March 18 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, in which he condemned the West's lenient approach towards Israel's settlements into Palestinian territory. He observed, ... a giant step backwards towards inaction is the American and European tendency to describe Israel's aggressive and illegal actions in the occupied Palestinian territories in increasingly soft and imprecise terms."

• The Middle East Online of March 18 reported on dwindling interest in the French language in Lebanon as English seems to be taking precedence in the country. For several years now, Anglophone universities have become more attractive and even students from French schools look toward institutions such as the American University of Beirut or Lebanese American University, said Georges Dorlian, a professor of French literature at Balamand University in Lebanon.

• The Daily News Egypt of March 22 published an article by Karim Makdisi, a professor at the Political Science Department at the American University of Beirut, about newly elected U.S. President Barack Obama's performance so far in office. He noted that until this point, Obama has made promises of change in the Middle East but these pledges are yet to materialize.

• The Middle East Online and The Middle East Times of March 23 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the United States attempts at changing its policy towards Iran in light of U.S. President Barack Obama's recent videotaped address to the Iranian people. Khouri noted that Obama made this gesture despite the fact that the American administration had recently extended its sanctions on Iran earlier this month. He said, The American gestures to Iran seem sincere and serious, but from the Iranian perspective they still suffer from the persistent structural weakness of dictating the rules of the game to Iran and others in the Arab-Asian region.

• The Muslim Brotherhood Website of March 24 and The Daily News Egypt of March 22 published an article by Karim Makdisi, a professor at the Political Science Department at the American University of Beirut, about newly elected U.S. President Barack Obama's performance so far in office. He noted that until this point, Obama has made promises of change in the Middle East but these pledges are yet to materialize.

• Saudi on Focus of March 24 and The Middle East Online and The Middle East Times of March 23 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the United States attempts at changing its policy towards Iran in light of U.S. President Barack Obama's recent videotaped address to the Iranian people. Khouri noted that Obama made this gesture despite the fact that the American administration had recently extended its sanctions on Iran earlier this month. He said, The American gestures to Iran seem sincere and serious, but from the Iranian perspective they still suffer from the persistent structural weakness of dictating the rules of the game to Iran and others in the Arab-Asian region.

• Today's Zaman, Kuwait Times, IslamOnline.net, and the Saudi Gazette of March 24 reported on Turkey's role in the Middle East and the importance of the United States in maintaining good ties with it seeing as it holds good ties with a number of disputed countries in the nation. Karim Makdisi, professor at the American University of Beirut, said, If you are going down this route of cooperation and dialogue, countries that have open channels like Turkey are the ones you want to talk to.

• Eye of Dubai, Breitbart.com, and Emirates News Agency of March 25 reported on the Arab Investment Forum (AIF) 2009. Present at the forum was Lebanese former Prime Minister and professor of economy at the American University of Beirut, Salim al-Hoss who noted, It seems that Lebanon is taking some advantage of the global crisis, because of influx of Arab funds which lost deployment opportunities elsewhere in the global markets due to the crisis and were consequently transferred to Lebanon.

• Al-Masrawy (Egypt) of March 25 published a photograph of Saudi Minister of Information Abdul Aziz Khoja during an honorary degree ceremony at the American University of Beirut in July 2007.

• Al-Arabeya (Palestine), Ad-Dustur (Jordan), The Jordan Times (Jordan), The Kuwait Times (Kuwait), and The Oman Observer (Oman) of March 25 published a political piece analyzing the circumstances surrounding the recent assassination of PLO's second leader in south Lebanon Kamal Medhat. The papers quoted AUB professor of political studies Ahmad Moussalli as saying that the assassination must have been executed by a fundamentalist group of some kind.

• The Saudi Gazette (KSA), The Kuwait Times (Kuwait), and The Oman Observer (Oman) of March 25 published a political editorial discussing how the United States's views Turkey's role in the Middle East. The papers quoted AUB professor of political studies Karim Makdissi as saying that "Turkey plays a pivotal role in this region."

• Gulf Times of March 27 reported that Qatar University faculty member Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim had participated in the launch of a special series of papers on Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory commissioned by the prestigious British medical journal, The Lancet. She said, The paper is the result of a collaboration of health professionals, academics and researchers from Birzeit University, the United Nations Population Fund, the American University of Beirut, the Council on Middle East Studies at Yale University, and the University of Glasgow.

• Ar-Rouiah (Kuwait) of March 27 reported that director of AUB's Institute of Financial Economics Professor Samir Makdisi participated in and attended the last day of a three-day conference by the Arab Institute for Planning entitled "The Private Sector in Development: Assessment and Outlook," held at Radisson Hotel, Beirut.

• Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat (KSA) of March 27 published a feature article on a group of AUB students who, upon attending a photography course at the University, decided to pursue their passion for the field by starting a photography student group on Facebook called "Picture the Moment."

• The Gulf Times (Qatar) of March 28 reported that assistant professor at Qatar University's International Affairs Program Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim has participated in the launch of a special series of papers on "Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" commissioned by the British medical journal, The Lancet. The paper said that health professionals, academics, and researchers from Birzeit University, the United Nations Population Fund, AUB, the Council on Middle East Studies at Yale University, and the University of Glasgow are collaborating on this project.

• Emirates News Agency and Breitbart.com of March 29 reported on the University of Sharjah's 26^th meeting of its Board of Trustees of the varsity headed by Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme President of the university Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. Among the attendees at the meeting was American University of Beirut Provost George Najjar.

• The Middle East Online and Middle East Times of March 30 published an article by Rami G. Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute at the American University of Beirut, about the misconceptions in the world about Islam. He stressed the need to differentiate between Islam as a religion, Muslims as individuals, Islamism as a widespread phenomenon of political mobilization and expression, nationalist Islamists, social and community Islamism, and Salafist militants. Khouri said, There is no such thing as a single Islam that can be diagnosed, analyzed or engaged as a monolithic whole.

• University of Sharjah of March 30 reported that Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and the Supreme President of University of Sharjah approved the launch of three PhD programs, two Master programs and four Bachelor programs of various academic specializations during the 26^th Meeting of Board of Trustees of the University of Sharjah. Among the attendees at the meeting was American University of Beirut Provost George Najjar.

• Uruknet.info of April 1 and Scoop and the Palestine Chronicle of March 31 reported on the United States interest in Lebanon's upcoming parliamentary elections on June 7. It quoted former U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman as saying, The US cannot and should not interfere in the election, but neither should we be impassive, which a student at the American University of Beirut deemed as blatant intervention in Lebanese affairs.