[1] Letter from President Wallace Loh May 3, 2012 Opening Dinner The
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[1] Letter from President Wallace Loh May 3, 2012 Opening Dinner The Second International Conference on Khalil Gibran Dr. Wallace D. Loh President, University of Maryland Dear conference attendees: On behalf of the University of Maryland, I would like to welcome everyone to the Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran. Conference participants are visiting from various regions of the United States and from many other countries around the world. Such diversity is emblematic of the University of Maryland’s commitment to creating and strengthening connections between cultures and peoples. As a man, a poet, and an artist, Kahlil Gibran was dedicated to exploring the theme of achieving unity amid diversity. He did so, in part, by sharing the wisdom of his ancient culture and expressing it in ways that continue to resonate with peoples across the globe. In this way Gibran was, and is, a figure of the East and the West. Writing in two languages—English and Arabic—he emphasized a vision of shared humanity that can serve as a basis of understanding and peace. This Second International Conference on Kahlil Gibran helps advance Gibran’s aspirations for a more peaceful world by bringing together representatives of the East and the West in a shared, cooperative effort. In this spirit, I wish conference participants every success. And in this spirit I would like to recognize a person who embodies the values and the virtues for which Gibran was recognized, appreciated and loved – Professor Suheil Bushrui. An outstanding scholar, an expert on Anglo-Irish literature, and a promoter of intercultural and interreligious understanding, Professor Bushrui has been a powerful advocate for human rights, intercultural understanding, and social justice. With his global vision and his belief in the human family, he is a visionary who has worked actively and tirelessly for world peace by promoting international and interfaith dialogue. Like Gibran, Professor Bushrui has transcended the barriers of East and West. Like Gibran, he is Lebanese and a patriot, but he is also an American and a citizen of the world. Gibran once wrote: “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair; but manifestations of strength and resolution.” Professor Bushrui certainly is tender and kind, but he is also one of the strongest and most resolute people that it has been my privilege to know. I thank him for blessing the University of Maryland with his presence and for his inspiration to our students. In closing, I would also like to thank, in particular, Dean John Townshend and the George and Lisa Zakhem Kahlil Gibran Chair for Values and Peace. I would also like to recognize the presence of Mr. Salim Zakhem, who has honored the University of Maryland by his presence on behalf of his distinguished father, Mr. George Zakhem. Thank you and best wishes for a wonderful dinner and successful conference. * * * [2] Letter from Clovis Maksoud, former Ambassador of the Arab League Dear Professor Bushrui, I want to congratulate you on the kudos that were given to you the other evening. Extremely well deserved and for the opening banquet where we met some of your most distinguished colleagues. Your leadership of the Gibran Chair has become a landmark not only in the academic community but also as an inspirational experience for the young generation as well as others like me. With deep admiration and appreciation, Clovis Maksoud * * * [3] Letter from Professor David Cadman, Senior Advisor to HRH The Prince of Wales My Dear Brother May I first say how much I enjoyed the conference and thought you were masterful in the way in which you gathered together a group of "contributors". Great skill. You said you might be able to find for me a copy of "The Beloved Prophet", which I think is the book of the love letters with Mary Haskell. If that is possible I would be most grateful as I think they are an important insight into Gibran. I have just started, and am enjoying, your biography of Gibran and look forward to learning more and more about him. Now may I also thank you for looking after me with such care and thoughtfulness. The whole trip was beautifully managed as far as I was concerned - and I think your interns are wonderful and a great tribute to you! With love to you and to Mary David David Cadman The Box House Priors Way Aldeburgh IP15 5EW * * * [4] Letter of Thanks from Ms. Rana Kazkaz Dearest Dr. & Ms. Bushrui, The conference was pure joy. I'm so grateful for the experience of it and mourning its end. Thank you so much for allowing me to present and be a part of it. I treasure the new friendships and the gathering of old ones. I promise to continue to work hard and rightly on the film... it will happen! Your support means more than you know. Thank you also for our final Turkish lunch... lovely and inspiring to hear of how you met and continue to have such a beautiful relationship. My Warmest and Fondest Regards to you both. Until next time... My Best Salaam, Rana * * * [5] Letter of Thanks from Ms. Fatma Essassi Dear Professor, Thank you so much for having given me such a wonderful opportunity to participate in such a majestic conference, to know distinguished academicians, and to set new frienship and acquaintances through Gibran's realm. Believe me Professor, thank you would never be enough for your generosity, nobility, purity, depth, modesty, sensitivity, sensibility, thoughtfulness,actually everything in your majestic being defies language itself and is indeed beyond what this world could behold. It is unfortunate that after 11 years we could not have time to speak, I do consider your overwhelming responsibilies, outsdanding program, peculiar implemention of the various targets. Everything indeed was successful and everybody was so happy.Actually love could but harvest love... I brought my thesis in the hope that you could scan it or at least just touch it - yes just touch it I am not exaggerating - I showed it to Professor Malarkey he appreciated my efforts, and doctor Tarek Shediak wants to buy the rights and publish it in Lebanon, of course after the defense. But in fact I do really need your opinion and inshallah I will send it at soon as possible. Concerning Gibran's association, I would like to inform you that before coming I collected all the works on Gibran and his writings in Tunisia. Besides I contacted a number of universities and librareries in Algeria and Marocco and following their reply I would work on a thorough bibliograhy on Gibran in North Africa or "le grand Magreb". Besides, after the exams, I will start working on a meticulous comparative study on Gibran and al-Shebbi: their life, philosophy, vision, language, style, theory of poetry, and their impact at critical moments in the history of their respective country and in the Arab world in general. I promise to do my best to worth every advice, support, help you generously provided and still provide me and to deserve the respect of those who applauded me in the conference and appreciated my work... I would like to express my love and gratitude to Mrs Mary for her appeasing smile, moral support, and soooo noble care and modesty... God bless you and protect you because this world is in great need for your light and enlightened souls... Sincerely Yours Fatma Essassi * * * [6] Letter of Thanks from Dr. Zheng Ma Dear Professor Bushrui, Thank you for your invitation attending this conference.THis conference and UMD give me deep impressions .I will try my best to advocate our association and introduce your distinguished results into china. After my returning into china,I contacted with chinese social science publishing house and they have accepted my advice to translate and publish your Kahlil Gibran:Man and Poet. In our plan, Kahlil Gibran:his life and World and Man and Poet will be regarded as two most important English contemporary biographies on Kahlil Gibran and introduced into chinese intellectuals. Now I would like to ask you or oneworld publishing house about the copyright of Man and Poet, if the royalties are reasonable low,that will guarantee our appilcation for translation and publishing. Another thing is ,I would like to get some detailed informations about this conference,and according to the arrangement in advance, I will publish two articles about this conference in the important newspaper Wen Yibao and peoriodical Foreign Literature in China.Could you give me the papers of conference and the list of the elected committee and officers of international association for the study of the life and works of Kahlil GIbran? Thanks for your surport and guidance again! With Best Regards, Yours truly, Mazheng * * * [7] Letter of Thanks from Mr. Glen Kalem Dr. Bushrui Judy and I have arrived home safe and well and somewhere over the Pacific lost a day. Thank you for your sweet thought and consideration. The conference was a great success and a sweet delight and I thank you for allowing us the stage to express our passion and appreciation. Please pass on our love and thanks to Mary and we relish in the longing to see you both again very soon. Possibly in Lebanon. Blessings and respect. Glen * * * [8] Letter of Thank from Mrs. Hilda de Windt Ayoubi Dear Professor, We just arrived in Curacao a few hours ago. In the first place we would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate to the Conference. In our opinion it was a big success. Furthermore, we have been able to make friends to many.