Bassil at the opening of Ramadan events on Minou Street in Tripoli: Our image is of a united Lebanon, rich in its Christians and Muslims

The president of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, said in a speech he gave during the opening of Ramadan events on Minou Street in Tripoli at the invitation of the “Waves and Horizon” association: "The “Ramadan Brings Us Together” events are not the beginning of our work, but rather the culmination of work we began on Minou Street, which we decided to renovate to show that we are people who love to build and renovate, not destroy, and who think about how to develop our communities. He added, “This region deserves it because it bears the name of a man, Dr. Yaqoub Al-Laban, who contributed and gave, and that is why we have carried out four phases on this street today. The idea behind the “Ramadan Brings Us Together” event is not only that we have restored this street, but that we want to revive it.”
Bassil pointed out that “the restoration process was carried out thanks to many people, and the first three phases saw many contribute by overseeing the work or providing funding. Here, I must say that the main momentum came from Tony and Alfred Doura, who were primarily responsible for the first three phases, organizing everyone else who contributed. Special thanks for the fourth phase go to Mr. Elie Wakim, who made a special contribution. We will not stop there. I want to say to the mayor of the port, Abdullah Kabara, and to everyone that we have a previous commitment in this area, which is to start a fifth phase and finish all the gaps in the first four phases.”
Bassil emphasized that “the port deserves it, as does Tripoli,” saying: “We were happy when our people in Tripoli celebrated Christmas in Batroun, and we were happy to see how the people of Batroun welcomed them with love. That is why we came to Tripoli today to celebrate Ramadan and see how they welcome us with love as well. This is the meaning of our Lebanese identity, and this is the Tripoli we know and love.”
He continued: “This year, the Muslim fast coincides with the Christian fast, and this year, Lebanon and Tripoli embody the true image of Lebanon. We want our true image to be seen, stressing that the image of Tripoli has been distorted at times, but Tripoli is the image of love and peace, and it is our capital in the north and the second capital of all of Lebanon, so we must care for it as we care for other regions, but it is also our true image that has been distorted from reality.”
He pointed out that “our image is that of a united Lebanon, rich in its diversity, with its Christians and Muslims, and that is why we are celebrating this month together. This week, we are attending the ‘Meeting of Brotherhood During the Season of Fasting’ between Christians and Muslims. It will be held in this street, and there will be iftars and all the manifestations that express the month of Ramadan, the month of goodness. That is why Tripoli and the port are decorated for Ramadan, just as they will later be decorated for Easter. During these two holidays, we will witness the resurrection of Lebanon despite all its suffering, and Ramadan will be beautiful for Lebanon despite all its hunger and pain.”
He pointed out that “we cannot forget the pain suffered by our people in Tripoli, not only as a result of the destruction of buildings, but also as a result of the suffering of people who are destroyed every day by poverty and need.”
Bassil affirmed that “we will continue to rebuild and beautify, and I know that just as the families of Doura, Wakiim, and the Petroniat Association helped us rebuild the street, they will continue to contribute to something essential, which is that Tripoli and the port welcome all people and encourage investors.”
He stressed that “we are building with bricks, and today’s march is not a celebration or a workshop, but rather a long march in which we are building with bricks, people, development, and prosperity, which does not come about through hatred of others, but rather through love for one another, and we must say that this street welcomes everyone.”
Kabbara Port President Abdullah Kabbara delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of this activity and the Ramadan celebrations on Port Street.