In commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Institute of Lebanese Thought (ILT) at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), in cooperation with the U.S. Library of Congress (LOC), organized a screening event on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Library of Congress to premiere the documentary: “Charles Malik: A Universal Person.” Select items from the Charles Malik collection at the Library of Congress were also on display.
The 50-minute documentary produced by NDU, written by Mr. Tony Nasrallah and directed by Ms. Maguy Sawma included clips of Charles Malik and international personalities who wrote and spoke of Malik. To name a few, former US President, George W. Bush, former Lebanese President Amine Gemayel, the late poet Said Akl, the late journalist Ghassan Tueni, Reverend Abbot Pierre Najem, Superior General for the Maronite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary (OMM), Dr. Fadlo Khoury, President of the American University of Beirut (AUB), Professor Majed Fakhry, Professor Sadiq Jalal Al-Azm, have important appearances among others. This project was sponsored by the U.S. Library of Congress, NDU, The Philos Project, and In Defense of Christians (IDC).
It is worthy to mention that there are three archives of Charles Malik in the world: the first and principal archive is currently in the U.S. Library of Congress, the second is found in the NDU Library, and it comprises two hundred boxes provided by Malik’s family in Lebanon and by the Library of Congress, and the third and last archive are Malik's diaries and other personal papers, which are safeguarded by his son, Dr. Habib Malik who was also present at the screening event.
Dr. Beverly Questad, a former student of Charles Malik and an advisory member of the ILT was the Master of Ceremony while Dr. Ryan Ramsey, LOC Chief of Staff, opened the event with his welcoming note. He highlighted in his speech how he was first contacted by the then Congressman Robert Pittinger three years ago asking him to make an event for Charles Malik which eventually materialized into this event in 2021.
NDU President, Fr. Bechara Khoury, stated in his word, “NDU, being first and foremost a Maronite Catholic University, accredited by U.S. NECHE, was not coincidentally chosen to be here today, it is a top-ranked institution on an international scale, it is Eastern, Christian and ecumenical, much like Charles Malik." He added, “NDU is honored to house Charles Malik’s archive. Our history is fundamental in paving the way for a better future, for both, the University and our country.”
Speakers also included Ms. Tonia Khoury, President of IDC, Giulia Nembrini, representing the Philos Project, and Dr. Margaret McClear, an archivist at the Library of Congress.
Professor Mark Whitters read the word on behalf of Mr. Tony Nasrallah on the abiding relevance of the Charles Malik legacy in today’s world.
Several international guests from around the world were present for the screening followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Habib Charles Malik.