Melhem Karam
Melhem Karam (1932–2010) was a Lebanese writer and journalist who owned many publications, including Al Bayrak newspaper and Al Hawadeth magazine. He was also long-term president of the Lebanese Journalists Union for nearly 50 years in the period 1961–2010.
Melhem Karam | |
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Born | 1932 Chouf, Lebanon |
Died | 23 May 2010 (aged 77–78) |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | Journalist |
Years active | 1950s–2010 |
Spouse | Leila Mubarak |
Children | 3 |
Parents |
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Awards |
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Early life and education
Karam was born in Chouf, Deir al Qamar, in 1932.[1] His parents were Karam Melhem Karam, an author,[2][3] and Emilie Asmar.[1] They were Maronites.[3] He had two sisters and a brother, Issam Karam[1] (died March 2020), who was the head of Beirut Bar Association.[4]
Karam graduated from the Sagesse high school and then, studied law at the Saint Joseph University and at the Lebanese University.[1]
Career
During his studies at the university Karam worked for different Lebanese newspapers and magazines.[2] In 1961 Karam was elected as the head of the Lebanese Journalists Union[2] which he held until his death in 2010.[5] He was also the vice president of the Arab Journalists' Federation and of the International Journalists' League.[6]
Karam was the owner of the publishing house, Dar Alf Leila Wa Leila, which produced several publications,[7] including Arabic weekly magazine Al Hawadeth, Al Bayrak daily newspaper, La Revue du Liban magazine and Monday Morning magazine.[1] He also served as the editor-in-chief of these publications.[6] He made many interviews with leading politicians, including Hosni Mubarak, King Fahd and King Hussein.[2]
Personal life and death
Karam married Leila Mubarak with whom he had three children.[1][6] He died from a heart attack on 23 May 2010.[1]
Awards
Karam was the recipient of the following: Legion of Honor (France; 1985), National Order of the Cedar (Officer, 1987) and National Order of Merit (France; Officer, 1988).[6]
References
- "'Pillar of journalism' Melhem Karam dies at age 78". The Daily Star. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "Interview with Melhem Karam". Prestige Magazine. No. 89. October 2000.
- Amaya Martin (October 2010). "Islamic expressions in a Christian text: crossing the linguistic barriers between religions. A case study of Lebanon in the interwar period". Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations. 21 (4): 385–396. doi:10.1080/09596410.2010.527106. S2CID 143656200.
- Omar Jamal (20 March 2020). "Lebanon Mourns Former Head of Beirut Bar Association Issam Karam". 962. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- Sarah El-Richani (2016). The Lebanese Media. Anatomy of a System in Perpetual Crisis. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 72. doi:10.1057/978-1-137-60183-4. ISBN 978-1-137-60183-4.
- Publitec Publications, ed. (2007). Who's Who in Lebanon 2007-2008 (19th ed.). Beirut: Publitec Publications. p. 189. doi:10.1515/9783110945904. ISBN 9783598077340.
- "Melhem Karam passed away at 76". Ya Libnan. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- "Karam, Melhem 1938-". WorldCat. Retrieved 30 October 2022.