Special to AG-IP-News Agency 

BEIRUT - HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global), and Lebanese Minister of Culture, Judge Mohammad Al-Mortada, (deputizing for Prime Minister of Lebanon, HE Mr. Najib Mikati), has inaugurated the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society Hall at the Lebanese National Library in Beirut, in the presence of Information Minister, Eng. Ziad Al Makari and Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, HE Waleed Al-Hadid, along with a host of political, social, cultural, economic and media representatives.

TAG.Global equipped the Hall with technological devices including laptops, manufactured by its member firm, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh for Technology, in addition to many publications, such as books, dictionaries and other valuable releases, to become an ICT center for innovation-based studies and research.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Seminar

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a cultural seminar entitled ‘Talal Abu-Ghazaleh: A Life Journey’ that was held at the Library’s Auditorium. In the seminar, writer and columnist, Mr. Roni Alpha, delivered a keynote address, expressing gratitude to Minister Al-Mortada for his extensive efforts and determination to mobilizing cultural movement, mainly at the National Library, which regained its shine and role thanks to him.

Mr. Alpha also underlined the pioneering and the widely recognized role of Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, pointing to a pledge Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh took while on a ship that sailed from Palestine to Lebanon, following the Israeli occupation to his hometown, Yafa, and other Palestinian villages, that he will take vengeance for his father’s tragic loss of homeland, and he kept his promise.

Mr. Al-Mortada

Minister Al-Mortada delivered a speech in which he conveyed the greetings of President Mikati, appreciation and respect for Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, as well as his apology for not attending the gathering due to prior arrangements. 
“I am Inspired by Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh, from Yafa he started his journey with determination and steadfastness, to reach out to every city in the world, while maintaining special feelings of love to Beirut,” Mr. Al-Mortada said, adding: “Beirut is a name that is equivalent to steadfastness, pride and dignity, where Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh keeps reiterating that ‘Palestine will be liberated and occupation will end.”

He, further, stated that Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh is a shining proof that the Arab nation will always be the birthplace of innovators and achievers whose accomplishments will always be remembered, noting that Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh revealed the true history of Arabs. 

Mr. Al-Mortada concluded by extended a very warm welcome to Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for attending this event saying: “Your presence is an honor for all of us in this country.”

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh

For his part, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh affirmed that Lebanon deserves a great deal of credit, saying that he happily endured suffering attributed to the fact that the challenge is a food for the soul and a motivation to confront obstacles and triumph over difficulties.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh talked about his career journey, suffering and the many Arab and international positions he held, pointing to the problems he faced as a “Palestinian, Muslim and Arab man” who relentlessly struggled to achieve his desired goals in all fields of science, literature and culture.

He further noted his success in establishing Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global all over the world, and the universities such as Talal Abu-Ghazaleh University College for Innovation which mainly focuses on graduating students with inventions and not based on traditional examinations. That is in addition to issuing publications on the digital transformation in the world.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh also shed light on the concept of culture, the different standards of democracy and its backgrounds. He pointed out that the next phase will witness a new world order, especially in the era of Knowledge and the Internet. 

In the same context, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh warned of the conflict between the two superpowers; the US and China, on climate change, referring to the studies that alerted the world to the risks of cities located on the coastlines if global warming was not addressed.

He sounded the alarm on the global scourge of pollution that threatens humanity, if political forces continued to control decision-making according to their own interests. Therefore, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh underlined the need for a global leader who will be able to enforce politicians to target their humanitarian responsibilities, rather than their electoral concerns.