News Highlights
Author:
Henry Matthews,
Office of Information and Public Relations,
hm06@aub.edu.lb
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Hala Maksoud Celebrated and Remembered
 | Dr Karam Karam bestows the Order of the Cedars Medal to Maksoud
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Hala Salam Maksoud, AUB alumnus and human rights activist, was remembered at Assembly Hall on October 16, 2003 in a memorial ceremony led by Clovis Maksoud, John Waterbury and Oussama Salam.
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Huda Zurayk spoke first, calling Hala an ideal Arab woman, living in the US, who had promoted the image of the civilized Arab individual. She said Hala proved that there was always room for respect and intelligence.
President Waterbury spoke next, saying that Hala fought all her life to consolidate the principles of freedom and democracy and to reflect the true image of the Arab citizen in the United States.
Butros Harb, MP for Batroun, North Lebanon expressed his optimism that the national independence that Hala dreamed of, will become a reality. He stressed that the current crisis did not respect democracy or human rights, adding that "we join you in your plea to God, asking for the wisdom and courage to restore some freedom and decent democracy." |
 | Takieddine, Hamadeh, Sharabi, Assaly, Zurayk, Waterbury, Hoss, Elainy, Tueni, Sharaf, Harb, Salman
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Professor of Political Science Najla Hamadeh related Hala's American experience and their common struggle. She described her commitment to just causes, objectivity and clear vision.
As-Safir publisher Talal Salman reviewed the events that took place during Hala's lifetime, emphasizing the contradiction between the memorial ceremony in an American university, and the troubled situation in South Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
Dr. Hisham Sharabi reflected on the loss for education and politics that Hala's death represented, and on her physical and moral beauty.
Mrs. Aziza Elainy said that death spared Hala from living under unbearable circumstances. She recalled Hala's powers of persuasion when she coaxed diplomats' wives to participate in protest movements against the will of their governments.
A piano interlude followed with Diana Takieddine, who played a composition by Bach. |
Mrs. Nayla Assaly, from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (AADC), spoke next, relating Hala's activity within the association and her brave attitude in respect to her affliction with cancer. She said she was a superb example of a woman struggling to fight for Arab rights in the international arena and the United States.
Trustee Ghassan Tueni spoke next. Using poetic imagery, he described Hala's illuminated face and her eyes that brimmed with life.
Former Premier Salim Hoss described Hala as an incandescent flame that shone until her last breath. He said she waged war on sectarianism and abuse of human rights, and was living proof that women deserve better treatment from society. He remarked that Hala shone in the West where women are free. Would she have been as successful had she stayed here? He said Hala was the example of bright educated women. |
Trustee Laila Sharaf, former minister in Jordan spoke next . She said Hala was the daughter of two great political dynasties, but she was always away from politics. She said the tragedy of 1967 brought her to political maturity and decided her mission in life. It made her aware that the debacle was the responsibility of every Arab citizen, and made her overcome religious differences when she married Clovis Maksoud. Ms. Sharaf said that both tried to unite Arab-Americans for the good of Arab nations and people.
After another piano performance by Diana Takieddine, Minister Karam Karam bestowed the Order of the Cedar Medal posthumously to Hala, presenting it to Clovis Maksoud on behalf of President Lahoud.
Dr. Maksoud was the last to speak. He thanked the President for the honor and described Hala, the friend, sister, teacher and safe haven. |
Hala Maksoud was born in Lebanon in 1943. She majored in mathematics and later in political science and philosophy, and worked as a professor in Washington and was an active member of the AADC.
She married Clovis Maksoud, former ambassador of the Arab League to Washington and the United Nations, and professor at the American University in Washington.
Hala Maksoud bravely coped with her lengthy affliction with cancer, exhibiting uncommon valor. |
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