Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) on Thursday, April 20, 2017, unveiled a life-size statue sculpted by renowned Lebanese artist Pierre Karam at its main campus to commemorate Habib Salame, the architect who designed NDU.
A ceremony, held in Issam Fares Hall, preceded the unveiling of the statue. NDU Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Events Dr. Nada Saad Saber in her welcome address greeted the guests, who included Bishop François Eid, representing Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon Archbishop Gabrielle Cassia, and religious, political, social, and military figures.
In his speech, NDU President Fr. Walid Moussa said, “Death is unjust and cruel is the absence, but his art shall not die; though the body is absent, his creations live on. Habib Salame was an artist; many are engineers and architects, but few are artists.”
For his part, Bishop Eid discussed Salame’s wonderful engineering exploits and the gifts of creativity that God had given him to build Churches, Church institutions, and institutions that serve society while adding a flare of beauty to each structure.
Salame’s son, Fadi, was the final speaker. Fadi thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the commemoration, and added, "If you really want to appreciate Habib Salame’s work, it's enough to be here at NDU where you can see first-hand how his vision became a reality."
A documentary produced by Rudy Hachache was screened during the ceremony, and Salame’s daughter, Samar, a soprano, performed Ave Maria.
Shortly thereafter, the statue was unveiled.