The Ministry of Youth and Sports launched the events of "Beirut, Capital of Arab Youth" in a grand ceremony held under the patronage of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Hilton Habtoor Hotel, which will continue until the end of this year. Alongside the representative of the Prime Minister, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. George Klass, the ceremony was attended by the President of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, and Deputy Presidents, Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Ahmed Al-Mubarak, Jordanian Minister of Youth and Sports Mohammad Salameh Al-Nabulsi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, and a large number of directors and representatives of Arab youth and sports ministries.
The ceremony was presented by young people Shrouq Mohieddine and Yorgo Nissi, starting with the Lebanese national anthem sung by a group of young people with special needs from "Special Olympics," accompanied by Lebanese talent Elio Al-Hashim. A video was shown showcasing the schedule of activities planned until the end of the year.
Following this, the first part of a film titled "The Future of Lebanon" was screened, filmed and produced specifically for the event. It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who dreams troubling dreams (scenes of violence - the port explosion - COVID-19 - economic collapse - youth migration) and wakes up terrified for his future. His grandfather, a former ambassador, and his son and wife try to alleviate his fears by sharing stories about the 21 Arab countries, leaving the ending suspended for the second part.
Mikati expressed his thoughts in a message during the event: "I usually start with the phrase 'Welcome to our esteemed guests,' but I believe you are in your homeland, in your country; you are not guests, you are the family of the house and we are the guests." He added, "Beirut is very happy today to host this important meeting, which brings together more than seven hundred young people from various Arab countries and Lebanese regions; it has many meanings, the most important of which is unity, and this is what we need on all levels. Thank you to the Arab League for helping us hold this meeting, and I would specifically like to thank the brotherly country of Iraq for its assistance in supporting this event."
He concluded, "I apologize for not attending in person, but I am confident that my friend Minister George Klass will perform duties and more by conveying the concept of Lebanon and coexistence in Lebanon, the value of this coexistence, and all of us, God willing, are one hand toward good and prosperity."
Abu Ghazaleh spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, noting that "despite all the hardships and tribulations Lebanon has faced in recent years, it has refused to succumb, choosing resilience and facing challenges. Today, Beirut opens its arms and heart to embrace the participating youth from across the Arab nation in the events of Beirut as the capital of Arab youth."
She added, "I must commend the events program, which has been carefully designed to align with the objectives of the Capital of Youth project, covering various aspects of Arab youth interests, and it also addresses the needs of Arab young women, with dedicated activities for this purpose, such as the Guiding Movement Forum and the virtual world, together to empower the Arab leader."
On behalf of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhi expressed his overwhelming happiness to be part of the event's transition of the Arab Youth Capital and the passing of the baton among brothers. He stated that choosing Beirut as the Arab Youth Capital is a trust from all Arab countries that Beirut will represent a genuine addition and a shining beacon on the path of joint Arab work, delivering outstanding performance in the planning, preparation, and execution of all activities and projects of "Beirut, Capital of Arab Youth."
After Lebanese inventor Ali Auda presented his success story, Klass addressed the audience, saying: "Welcome to Lebanon, which is happy with your participation and proud of your decision to designate Beirut as the Capital of Arab Youth 2023, forming an Arab youth summit that opens up to expectations and relies on realistic principles based on meetings, discussions, exchanges, and training on youth policy culture. Thus, we are faced with an Arab youth parliament."
He further added, "Your presence among us is an act of faith and trust in Lebanon, a gesture of love towards its youth, who look to the future with confidence, aiming to build bridges between Arab generations, fostering recognition, interaction, and promising distinctions that affirm the quality of our youth societies through their diversity and complementarity, forming a mosaic icon, each gem in it having its place, artistry, and beauty, and we are all responsible for the art of design, inlaying, and assembly, to adorn our youthful diamonds, constructing them into a necklace, whose centerpiece is values and its uniqueness is you."
Klass continued, "Lebanon is a land of peace, prosperity, thought, revival, tourism, and civilization, remains deeply rooted in history, active in the present even when harsh, interacting with circumstances even when they become oppressive. We are timeless, eternal in your hearts… Lebanon is a land of life and dignity, and pride in your presence, and may Arab youth interact in reality and action with the youth of Lebanon, getting to know this country and establishing a foundation of love for it, a generation that updates, a generation that remembers, and a generation that imagines being in Lebanon; so visit us, and do not just imagine us."
Before concluding the announcement of Beirut as the Capital of Arab Youth 2023, he mentioned that previous capitals included Manama, Rabat, Kuwait, Cairo, Tunisia, and Baghdad. He noted that this decision reflects the appreciation of the Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports and the Arab League, as well as a significant initiative from the Iraqi state to elevate this celebration, which will not be complete without a moment of glory in tribute to the youth of Palestine and a blessing from the spirituality of Jerusalem. He concluded with a poignant question: "When will Jerusalem or Gaza be the capital of Arab youth?"
During the event, the talented Lebanese Asmaa Serhan showcased her medical inventions, and the audience applauded the second part of the film "The Future of Lebanon," which concluded with the grandfather, father, and mother talking about the 22nd Arab state, singing praises of Lebanon, accompanied by visuals of its beautiful regions along with Lebanese music. The grandfather concluded by telling his grandson, "My son, in your age, never worry and think that we must be united, just as our family has gathered around you; our Arab family is always with Lebanon, and they never abandon you," as he dims the lights and closes the door, leaving the boy to sleep peacefully.
To conclude, Elio Al-Hashim performed a classical musical piece that wrapped up the ceremony, before everyone moved to the official dinner, where the advisor to the Minister of Culture, Rony El-Fa, spoke on behalf of the organizing committee, and the Minister of Youth and Sports presented commemorative shields to senior guests.
