The AUB's alumni includes a list of impressive names, including former prime ministers Selim al-Hoss and Saeb Salam and current prime minister, Fouad Siniora; noted Middle East political leaders such as Hanan Ashrawi, a former Palestinian peace negotiator and George Habash, founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; or yet, Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Druze community in Lebanon, or Antun Saadeh, founder of a pan-Arab political party calling for the unity of the fertile crescent, from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Indeed, the American University of Beirut, sitting at the crossroads between East and West, continues to play a major role in educating the region's youth, that many of whom after graduation have kept up the age-old tradition of Lebanon and its Phoenician heritage by crossing oceans and settling in foreign lands. Many have ended up in Washington, where the university's Washington alumni chapter seeks to foster this unique sense of cultural identity.
Ghada Rihani, the current president of the Washington chapter, sees her organization playing a crucial role in maintaining Lebanese culture alive in Washington.
"I took over the chapter this past June, and we were brainstorming ideas for fundraising ... and at the same time, we wanted to avoid the competition because there's so many of us always tapping into the same community," said Rihani.
After deliberations, the chapter decided on cultural events as a way to keep the Lebanese community in Washington aware and interested in cultural activities that are very much thriving and viable back in Lebanon.
"Cultural events would serve many purposes," said Rihani. "We would benefit everyone – we'd benefit the artists, we'd benefit the community here, and we'd benefit the AUB alumni association.
As an inaugural cultural event, Rihani organized an exhibition titled, "Nostalgia and Hope." The exhibit, held at the residence of Lebanese Ambassador Antoine Chedid, featured two Lebanese artists, George Akl and Choucrallah Fattouh. Both of these internationally recognized artists use the colors and emotions of their homeland as inspiration.
"We wanted to benefit some of the people in Lebanon – painters, theater people, musicians – who are still doing amazing, beautiful work," Rihani told the Middle East Times.
Rihani credits Lebanon's cultural distinctiveness to its unique geographic position at the nexus of Mediterranean and Arab cultures.
"Lebanese society is quite Westernized. In fact, more Westernized than other Middle Eastern cultures because of our geographical situation. Tourism and services are very big industries in Lebanon, which makes the society more open to other cultures and able to assimilate and accept them," said Rihani. However, while Western, especially British and French, influences suffuse Lebanese culture, one cannot deny the distinctively Arab characteristics of Lebanese culture.
Lebanese poets, writers, thinkers, philosophers were the ones who started, back in the 19th century, the Arab Literary Guild in New York City with Kahlil Gibran and Amin Rihani. They were the first Lebanese to immigrate to the United States to write in English and Arabic from New York City. In fact, Lebanon has always been a leader in Arabic literature, poetry, and philosophy.
The Washington alumni chapter is unique, Rihani explains, because its members are spread across the age spectrum. Older established members mix with an influx of newcomers, young people, professionals, who, because of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, continue to leave Lebanon, seeking a more peaceful life abroad. The richness of experience in the alumni chapter – with over 900 members and friends – enhances the vibrancy of the community.
Asked if it was difficult to maintain a strong sense of Lebanese identity in Washington, Rihani replied: "No, not at all, mainly because of the American culture itself. All of us, when we became citizens, were told to maintain our own culture as we integrate into the American cultures."
After a short pause, she added: "In fact, our food – hummus, tabouli, falafel – has become part of the American mainstream culture.