The "Al-Minhaj" association and the "Um Al-Noor Gathering" have completed the second phase of the "Opportunity" center project for rehabilitating drug addicts, through a charity dinner organized by the center’s team at Al-Faisal restaurant in Qalamoun, attended by representatives from political, security, religious, educational, and social-economic sectors who gathered to support the launch of the center. This follows the completion of the reception center in collaboration with the Civil-Military Cooperation Directorate of the Lebanese Army and funding from the Dutch Embassy, along with the rehabilitation of two buildings in the al-Fayha complex in Abi Samra from the Danish Refugee Council. The next step is to initiate inclusive rehabilitation and awareness programs.
The Mufti of Tripoli and the North, Sheikh Muhammad Imam, affirmed the support of the Dar Al-Fatwa and its cooperation with religious authorities and the army leadership in every project and effort that contributes to protecting society from various social ills, emphasizing the importance of gathering for good, particularly in combating the drug epidemic that is devastating the youth and threatening the future of the nation. He called for supporting the "Opportunity" center project as a necessary step towards collaboration aimed at fortifying and immunizing society in cooperation with the Lebanese Army and other security agencies, along with civil society organizations and all forces seeking to unite against this epidemic.
For his part, the founder of the "Um Al-Noor Gathering," Bishop Ghayth Paul Najim, stated that obstacles have not affected their determination, emphasizing that they, along with the "Al-Minhaj" association, are working closely with the state military institution, which is driven by genuine love and closeness to people and their sometimes complex and difficult problems. He noted that the leadership has recognized drug addiction as one of the most severe afflictions facing the Lebanese community, and it is fortunate and an honor for them that this institution considers them worthy of collaboration, thus deciding to support them by establishing a reception facility for those seeking help with their affliction and providing some treatments.
Mufti of Akkar, Sheikh Zaid Bakar, expressed that some have been slow to recognize the seriousness of the drug epidemic, believing it to be distant from their communities, whereas it has infiltrated towns, villages, schools, and universities. He blessed the "Opportunity" center project as a chance to save families that have been torn apart by this epidemic, urging all capable individuals to provide support for the center, thus gathering the good of both this world and the Hereafter. He also called for complementing rehabilitation and awareness efforts with job opportunities, as unemployment is one of the most dangerous contributing factors to drug addiction.
Finally, a statement was made by Sheikh Faiz Saif, a member of the Higher Islamic Sharia Council, who launched an initiative to adopt the rehabilitation of fifty victims of drug addiction to rescue them and reintegrate them into society, supported by the Lebanese Islamic Association and the Charity Association of the people of Miniyeh and its suburbs in Australia. There was also an initiative from the Tamdeer Association and another from businessman Bilal Hamzeh, who adopted the rehabilitation of several addicts and presented an award of appreciation to the army leadership, which was received by Brigadier General Khalid Abdul Rahman, a representative of the intelligence directorate. Other charitable initiatives were also included during the dinner.
