A ceremony was held to celebrate the school's 132nd anniversary entitled 'Collège des Frères - Deddeh: 132 years of History in Tripoli' at the Safadi Cultural Center in Tripoli, the capital of North Lebanon, to revive the memory of a school that has changed the face of Tripoli since 1886.
The reunion was attended by former Prime Minister Najib Mikati represented by Minister Nicolas Nahas, Minister Mohammed Kabbara represented by Sami Reda, Minister Ashraf Rifi represented by SuleimaRifi, Minister Faisal Karami represented by Abdallah Dennawi, MP Fadi Karam, former MP Misbah Al Ahdab, the Governor of Baalbeck and Hermel Bachir Khodr, Mufti of Tripoli and North Lebanon Sheikh Dr. Malek Al Chaar, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Tripoli, Al Koura and Dependencies Ephraim Kyriakos, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Edouard Daher, Maronite General Patriarchal Vicar on Jebbehand Zgharta Bishop Joseph Naffah, Regional President of all 'Collèges des Frères' in the Middle East Brother Fadi Sfeir, university presidents, presidents of professional orders, managers of banks and educational institutions in Tripoli and the North, in addition to the Head of the educational area in the North and Tripoli Nahla Hamati, and others.
Al Chaar
After the national anthem, the La Salle anthem, and a documentary about the school were played, Sheikh Dr. Al Chaar made a speech revolving around the idea that pluralism and diversity representing terms of nations, states, and societies a sign of civilization and advancement; whereas, in terms of individuals, they represent a feeling of pride and personal identity. He stated that "similarity is not a condition for us to coexist and embrace one another." Thus, the relationship among individuals must be one of integration, away from elimination or marginalization.
After having mentioned the importance of education in the Islamic religion and the necessity to seek it to build life, he emphasized that Tripoli is rich with its men, schools, and institutions. Moreover, Tripoli treasures, and is extremely proud of, these educational institutions which have contributed and continue to contribute to the city's cultural and social climate. He also stressed that at a time when 'Collège des Frères' existed in Tripoli, "a harmony of social values, respect, as well as communication among Christian and Muslim students and their families equally existed, in addition to conviviality, exchange of visits, and the respect of the rights of others, regardless of majority or minority considerations."
He invited the audience to avoid "all that is related to instincts, reactions, sectarianism, confessionalism, and the darkness of mind and thoughts."He also emphasized that "we are people who do not fear anyone nor let anyone frighten us, because we are unselfish people with values; we are a nation that bases its reason for existence on all Heavenly messages."
Al Hallal
Mr. Gilbert Al Hallal, school principal of 'Collège des Frères'Deddeh addressed the public saying, "you are the townspeople and our partners. You hold the school in your hearts and minds, a school established more than thirteen decades ago by founders who aimed to make it an instrument of education, culture and national commitment for generations of professionals and specialists in various fields, and who have become elites on which the country relied on before and after its independence." He confirmed that Tripoli "means a lot to the Christian Brothers Order and to us" especially that the school is deeply rooted through its heritage, whereas our association has watered it with a lot of culture and has harvested in return a lot of national heritage. He also considered Tripoli a cradle of Eastern civilization, a source of pluralism and diversity excellently embodied by 'Collège des Frères'.
In his speech about this educational institution, Hallal said that it is "a message of academic upbringing that intertwines with cultural upbringing and broadens the human horizon at a philosophical, scientific, literary and national level. The school graduate becomes an active member working towards social transformation", adding that "the school is a message that has chosen the course of partnership and openness to others and to the human and spiritual dimension as a daily orientation."
Finally, he stressed that the school is deeply rooted in old, traditional practices; while at the same time, it is looking forward to a modern and developed future.
Sfeir
The speech of Brother Fadi Sfeir, patron of the event, stemmed from his memories and personal experience, particularly that he spent five years in the North, one year in Kfaryachit-Zgharta, and four years in Tripoli, Deddeh.
He said that after having wondered for a while about the reasonseveralof his brothers spent fifty and sixty years without requesting to be relocated to other schools in need of their academic experience, he finally realized that the answer lies in "the sense of loyalty of the people of Tripoli which you reciprocate for better or worse." He also shared that one of his fellow friars told him that "I am sure that my old students will remember and visit my grave more often than my own nieces and nephews."
During the most difficult days of the last war, brothers and teachers have witnessed how city leaders sent armed men to protect the school "whenever thugs tried to push through its gates."
Finally, he indicated that this educational institution's goal is to grant everyone access to proper education and ethics, allowing the poor and those with limited income to gain access to educational and social development, without excluding children of the affluent if they wished to blend with other segments of the community.
Naffah
Naffah is a member of the last graduating class from 'Collège des Frères' when it still used to be in Tripoli. He said, "today we recall an inerasable era of Tripoli's history, an era that must go on with all its splendor". He added that"'Collège des Frères' in Tripoli is not just a school, not just a part of the city, but the city itself where all its parts are gathered. This school is Tripoli's symbol back in the beautiful days."
He also believed that "it cannot be denied that this school has given birth to a flow of outstanding graduates who have occupied high positions in all four parts of the world". He continued his speech about Tripoli that "poured all its richness in the upbringing of its children in their work, culture and uniqueness, while their parents have worked day and night to provide them with this prestigious education."
As for true education, Naffah have considered it as "a way of seeing life in general and taking a stance", mentioning that "ethics in this school wasn't only a subject taught for one hour but a lifestylefor the whole academic family of administrators, teachers, students and parents." He also stated that "today, even though the number of degree holders has increased, ethics have declined. Therefore, we must work with 'Collège des Frères' to consolidate the values that have characterized our upbringing as well as the members of the Collège's family."
He further pointed out that the school never spared any hard work to develop its students' cultural sensitivity, and concluded by saying that "what you see today in the daily conduct of developed schools, we have already witnessed inside the walls of this Collège. Indeed, this Collègein Tripoli wasn't just a school, but a community in every sense of the word."
Khodr
The last word was left to Governor Bachir Khodr, who expressed his belief that 'Collège des Frères' has shaped his personality, especially that discipline is one of the most important characteristics that have marked every student. "Discipline is what also distinguishes my work. Each time I get complimented for it, I tell them I got it from 'Collège des Frères'."
Khodr concluded that at 'Collège des Frères', Muslim students would recite Al-Fatiha while Christian students would pray 'Our Father', which has taught the students about one another, emphasizing that there never existed any discrimination among students of this school.
These interventions were followed by music and a discussion moderated by Mr. George El Assad, as well as the participation of Former Minister Nicolas Nahhas, Dr. Engineer Bachir Zaouk, Mr. Robert Bell, Dr. Mohammad Salhab, and Dr. Antoine Korban. The discussion highlighted the values of this institution, particularly regarding commitment to rigor, leaving a positive impact on students, knowing that education consists of three elements: the school, home, and the student. Participants praised the system which is considered as a main part of the school's success and methodology which teaches students how to think to be able to adapt to any field. Last but not least, it was important in the school's educational system not to forget the country, which is at the base of the citizens' conviviality and their sense of civic duty.
About Collège des Frères Tripoli/Deddeh:Collège des Frères de la Sainte Famille Tripoli- Lebanon was established in 1886 with the objective of bringing to Tripoli and its surrounding Northern districts the high standards of education known to the Order founded by St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle. Its system relied, as it still does, on fostering intellectual curiosity, deep and multi-faceted knowledge, rigorous educational standards, human and civic education, state-of-the art labs and technologies, and on building character, discipline of both behavior and thinking, self-confidence and self-esteem, with emphasis on the respect for others. It always had a multi-confessional composition of attending pupils, whom the Collège equipped with the essential traits of becoming the elite public and private careerists that they continue to be, class after class (close to 8,000 final graduates through 132 years).
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