You can browse our photo gallery by clicking on the small picture to enlarge and use the arrows on the right and left of the film strip to see more photos.  You can also read the WLCU - Edmonton  projects and activities in the event listing below the photo gallery.  Enjoy!

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WLCU – Edmonton Project and activities:

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General Meeting to honor previous board members and volunteers: 

As we all know, the success of any organization depend on community support and by the volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to the delivery of programs.  Many of the programs and activities completed by WLCU – Edmonton would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the various volunteer board of directors and the volunteer members who that managed the activities and programs of this organization.  As a token of appreciation, the WLCU – Edmonton hosted a celebration at the WLCU – Edmonton office to recognize the past three boards of directors and our volunteers.  On behalf of the current board of directors we would like to offer our sincere appreciations to everyone. The following is a list of the individuals recognized:

Board of directors  2001 - 2002:

President: Samir Bleibel
Vice President: Samir Sleiman
Treasurer: Walid Shmeit
Secretary: Nizar ali
Past President: Hassan Seifeddine

Directors: Ali Zahra, Akram Atwi, Hatem Melhem, Hussein Rahal, Jean Menassa, Khaled Deeb, Mohamad Moursel, Mustafa Fayad, Nezar Nsier

Board of directors 2003-2004

President: Samir Sleiman
Vice President 1st: Ziad Abultaif
Vice President 2nd: Ibrahim Rahime
Treasurer: Walid Melhem
Secretary: Waseem Jabre
Past president: Samir Bleibel

Directors: Ahmed Al-Turk, Akram Atwi, Azam Malak, Kaled tarrabein, Kamal El Kadri, Souheil El Homsi, Riad Bleibel, Toni Abinader, Nezar Nsier, Tarek Shibely

Board of directors 2005 - 2006

President: Samir Bleibel
Vice President 1st: Taleb Choucair
Vice President 2nd: Omar Tarshishi
Treasurer: Walid Shmeit
Secretary: Manal Melhem
Past president: Samir Sleiman

Directors: Ahmad Daoud, Akram Atwi, Ali Haymour, Anas Zeineddine, Chafic Homsi, Hatem Hajar, Imad Chehayeb, Iman Kilani, Mahmoud Rahime, Mohammed Rahime, Nabil Fallah, Nicolas Samia, Said Jabre, Waseem Jabre

WLCU Honorary members for 2008:

The following members received lifetime honorary membership as a token for their continiouse support and contribution

Ali Zahra, George Kassis, Hatem Melhem, Jamil Chehayeb, Mahmoud A. Tarrabain

Citizenship Swearing Ceremony at Government house:

Representatives from  WLCU – Edmonton were invited by the office of the Honorable Norman L. Kwong, Lieutenant Governor for Alberta to attend a Canadian Citizenship Swearing Ceremony for 10 new Canadians.  Presiding over the ceremony was the citizenship judge of Lebanese origin: the Honorable Sonia Bitar.  You can not help but feel proud for what Ms. Bitar achieved and the greatness of our adopted country Canada that made such beautiful mix of multiculturalism, freedom, and equality possible.  At the end of the ceremony, Ms. Bitar asked everyone to stand up and reaffirm their citizenship by repeating the Canadian Citizenship oath. 

Town hall meeting with MP Brian Storseth:

Mr. Brian Storseth, M.P. for Westlock - St.Paul, and Mr. Samir Bleibel are on a tour around the country meeting with the Lebanese communities in different cities to learn about the issues of concern of the community. WLCU – Edmonton hosted their stop in Edmonton at the WLCU office.  Attending the event were representatives from many Lebanese organizations, as well as many prominent members of the community.  The meeting was very productive and included a free exchange of ideas and suggestions on issues that are important to Canadians, Lebanese-Canadians and Lebanon.

Lebanese Community in Canada:

The President of the WLCU Canadian National Council, Mr. Michael Abu Michael, the Vice President of the International WLCU Mr. Samir Bleibel, and the President of the WLCU-Edmonton met with HE Massoud Maalouf and the Lebanese Council to Ottawa Mr. Georges Abou Zeid to brief his Excellency about the status of the Lebanese community in Canada and the impact of the current political turmoil in Lebanon on the unity of the community in Canada. 

(L to R) Lbanese Consul Mr. George Abou Zeid, WLCU World VP Mr. Samir Bleibel, H.E. Lebanese Ambassador Mr. Massoud Maalouf, Mr. Abdou Altossi, President of WLCU - Edmonton Mr. Nizar Ali

Ambulance for the Lebanese Civil Defense (LCD):

After the war on Lebanon in the summer of 2006, many groups from the Lebanese community in Edmonton got together and raised funds to be dedicated to the purchase of ambulances for the LCD.  After a lot work and effort we can proudly report that the first ambulance has arrived in Lebanon and was received by the LCD.  Furthermore, we are still working on at least two more ambulances to be shipped shortly.  Please find attached a letter from the Lebanese government accepting the ambulance as a gift from the WLCU-Edmonton.  Attached is an Acceptance letter from the Lebanese Government.

Official Dinner at the Lebanese Embassy

 His Excellency Massoud Maalouf, the Ambassador of Lebanon, hosted a dinner at the Lebanese embassy in Ottawa.  On the Guest list was Nizar Ali representing WLCU–Edmonton and Samir Bleibel VP of WLCU national council, twenty Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators, and prominent Lebanese businessmen and leaders.  In his welcome message, HE Ambassador Maalouf welcomed the guests and talked about the excellent Canada-Lebanon relations and the important role that Canada can play in helping Lebanon.  Furthermore, HE talked about other matters of importance to both countries like strengthening the economic and cultural ties between Canada and Lebanon and the role that the Lebanese community can play on that front.  The event was a great opportunity for the delegates of the WLCU – Edmonton to talk to guests about some of the important issues for the Lebanese community like initiating direct flights between Canada and Beirut, emigration issues and making it easier for skilled workers from Lebanon to emigrate to Canada, assisting Lebanon with the clean-up of the cluster bombs and land mines infestation in South Lebanon, and strengthening the economical and cultural relations between the two countries.

Farewell celebration for Mr. Jamil Haymour

On Saturday November 24, the Arabic Radio Program held a farewell party for Mr. Jamil Haymour who founded and ran the program for the past 25 years. Attending the event were representatives from the community and some of Mr. Haymour’s friends. The WLCU presented Mr. Haymour with a Certificate of Appreciation for his dedication and outstanding service to the Lebanese, Arab and Canadian community at large.

Lebanon Independence Day

On Sunday, November 25, 2007, the WLCU in partnership with the Canadian Druze Association and Maronite Catholic Parish held an Independence Day celebration at the Canadian Druze Centre. The celebration was attended by many members of the community in addition to representatives from the different Lebanese religious and political organizations. Despite of the charged political atmosphere in Lebanon, the event was positive and everyone’s mood was celebratory. Once again our community set an example of how we can put aside our differences and celebrate Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

Author Rawi Hage Visit to Edmonton

October 20th: Rawi Hage, the author of the novel Deniro’s Game, visited the city of Edmonton on the weekend of October 20th – 21st. He conducted readings at the Whitemud Crossing and the Stanly A. Milner Libraries.  Both readings were very well attended with readers who were eager to ask questions about the story, the people and the country that inspired the book.  During Mr. Hage’s stay in Edmonton, the WLCU treated him to a dinner at the Sultan Castle Restaurant where he enjoyed traditional Lebanese cuisine and danced to Arabic music performed by a local band.  It turned out that Mr. Hage is not only a good writer; he is also a very good dancer!

TOWN Hall Meeting about Cluster Bombs

On October 25th the WLCU, Mines Action Canada and Mr. Brian Storseth, M.P. for Westlock - St.Paul, co-sponsored a public forum to bring awareness about the impact of cluster bombs on civilians. The event was attended by a good number of spectators and included some lively discussions about the effect of such weapons and the role that Canadians and the Canadian government can play in accomplishing a total ban on the manufacturing, use and trade of such weapons.  The event included a screening of the documentary Yellow Killers about the impact of cluster munitions in Serbia and Montenegro, an overview about the campaign by Janis Grychowski from Mines Action Canada, a presentation from the president of the WLCU about the humanitarian impact of this weapon on the civilian population in south Lebanon. MP Brian Storseth talked about the activities that the Canadian Government is conducting nationally and internationally on this front.

Screening of the film Between Two Notes

 On September 9, 2007, the WLCU and EPL presented a screening of the film Between Two Notes. The film was followed by a live musical explanation and demonstration by Dr. Michael Frishkopf on the nay (Arabic flute) and Dr. Ashraf Assaly on the oud. This was followed by a dance performance. The event included a display of Lebanese books, clothing, and artifacts. The screening was attended by a good number of Lebanese and non-Lebanese spectators.

Marcel Khalife and Al-Mayadine Ensemble

The WLCU sponsored the Marcel Khalife concert that took place on Friday October 5th. The concert was attended by over 425 people. As usual, Marcel’s performance was amazing. His music, voice, and performance raised the audience to their feet for more than one standing ovation.

Screening of the Lebanese film West Beirut

On July 12^th, 2007 The WLCU sponsored the screening  of  the film West Beirut. A nice film set at start of the Lebanese civil war.

Edmonton Reads Event Launch June 5, 2007

The Edmonton Public Library In partnership with the World Lebanese Cultural Union Launched the Edmonton Reads Activities. From June to October, Edmonton Reads will engage the people of Edmonton in a community dialogue about the exceptional Canadian novel  De Niro's Game by the Lebanese Canadian author Rawi Hage's. The event featured Mayor Stephen Mandel; Dr. Sheila Bertram, Chair of the Edmonton Public Library Board; Mr. Joe Hak, representing the World Lebanese Cultural Union; Laurie Greenwood, CBC book reviewer and owner of Greenwoods Volume II.

Liberation Day Celebration May 27, 2007

On May 27 The WLCU invited the Lebanese community to an Assembly of  National Unity event to celebrate the liberation of South Lebanon from the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with the Lebanese Army. A letter of support for the Lebanese Army and call for unity was produced.

Mother's Day Celebration May 12, 2007

On May 12 The WLCU in partnership with the Edmonton Druze Association held a dinner and dance party for mother's day.  The party included live entertainment provided by the Musician and Singer Faisal El Rayes.  Attended the event about 240 people from the Lebanese community.