Lebanese cedar tree planting ceremony In the name of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in Sydney Central Park Garden Australian

"The tree represents the spirit of a great man who planted in us the seeds of hope, moderation, love, peace and humbleness" Ahmad Hariri

23/2/2015

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Sydney - M. E. TIMES Int'l: In the framework of the visit of Mr Ahmed al-Hariri, the Secretary-General, of the"Future Movement", to Australia, a ceremony was held in the Central Garden in Merrylands NSW, on the occasion of planting the Cedar of Lebanon, in memory of the martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The ceremony was attended by MPs, including Laurie Ferguson MP, diplomatic, religious and political figures in addition to figures from the Lebanese community and officials from the Future Movement, as well as the Sydney Coordinator Omar Shehadeh.

The ceremony was organized by Holroyd Municipality represented by its Mayer Clr. Greg Cummings and the "Future Movement" in Parramatta, represented by its president Issam Gebara, known for his openness to various rivals.

Gebara

I would like to thank Holroyd Municipality and everyone who answered our call for this symbolic celebration to plant the Lebanese Cedar in memory of the tenth anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who carried high the banner of the country of Cedar in all international forums and dedicated himself to the issues of Lebanon and its citizens.

As cedar is immortal and old as history, the memory of the martyred leader will remain in us and in this cedar that bears his name and which we will nurture day by day as we cherish hope to achieve the dream of Rafik Hariri ... Congratulations to us for planting the Cedar of Lebanon on Australian land and congratulations to us for the righteous and the truth that will not die because there is always a seeker who is Saad Hariri represented today by the Secretary-General Ahmad Hariri whose presence is a great honor and support for us. 

Excerpts of the speech delivered by the Mayor of Holroyd Clr. Cummings

Welcome to Holroyd!

The reason for us being here today, to recognise the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Rafic Hariri and why so many Lebanese have chosen Australia because of its peaceful place, its democratic beliefs and I believe Lebanon is working to achieve that goal too.  So I hope and I pray that our political stability will be matched by the Lebanese leaders today and into the future and with the planting of the Lebanese Cedar tree I hope that the friendship we have will grow even stronger in the future with the people of Lebanon and Australia and especially in Holroyd.

I know the Lebanese history and how many from early on.  Holroyd is 140 years old and we were fortunate enough to a former Governor of NSW and a former Sydney Lord Mayor call Holroyd their home, that was Marie Bashir and Nick Shehadie and their home was just over near Pendle Hill and while Marie Bashir was a doctor, she serviced many of our local community and brought into the world many babies.

The greatest influx of Lebanese in the late 70s after the conflict in Lebanon many chose to migrate to Australia and many chose to make Holroyd home especially in the Merrylands area.  I am very pleased and thankful that the Lebanese has called Holroyd home.

I know that the Sec General like myself is a Councillor in his own Municipality, Sidon  and I admire his work in playing a major part in the removal of the dumpsite and the establishment of a public park, under the slogan – “Dream Become Reality, the dumpsite became a garden.” 

Full speech of Mr Ahmad Hariri

Your Excellencies….

Holroyd City Mayor Greg Cummings…

Ladies and Gentlemen…

I am very pleased and honoured to be with you today, here at the Holroyd Central Park, to participate in this important activity of tree planting, to pay a very special tribute to President Rafic Hariri… someone whom we admired so very greatly and whose loss we continue to mourn, and whose remarkable legacy we will always cherish and celebrate….

Although Rafic Hariri was assassinated 10 years ago and is no longer among us – and far too soon – it can never be said that he died in vain.  His tragic murder galvanized millions to action worldwide.  And today is a living example; we commemorate this legacy by planting a tree in his honor – a tree that will become his living memorial, here at the heart of Australia, among his people and beloved ones. This is not the first tree bearing the name of Rafic Hariri here in Australia, there is a deep rooted cedar tree planted in Bankstown in 2007 in his loving memory.

Dear friends,

This tree that we are planting in New South Wales today to mark the 10th anniversary of the martyrdom of Rafic Hariri will certainly grow and under the earth here the roots will intermingle and ultimately bind. … This tree will inspire energy, faith, devotion and courage and carry forward the name of Rafic Hariri, but above all it will remind everyone of what it stands for.

It represents the spirit of a great man who planted in us the seeds of hope, moderation, love, peace and humbleness… a statesman who had always been a great champion for human dignity and freedom.

Like the work it symbolizes and the cause it represents, this tree will outlast us.  Like our ongoing efforts, it will honor the enduring legacy of a Lebanese statesman who raised the name of his country high.  And it will ensure that Rafic Hariri legacy, and life will be preserved forever – on these grounds now made hallow, but also in the memories of all who knew him and those who didn’t have the chance to, in the work of those who carry on his fight, and in the hearts and minds of generations yet to come.  In remembering Rafic Hariri in the way we do today, we ennoble our Australian - Lebanese community and make our union stronger and more perfect.

The symbolism of today would not have happened without the contribution of Holroyd City Council, and here I take the opportunity to thank each and every one who assisted in making this project come true.

May the memory of martyr Rafic Hariri stays alive in the glorious future of generations!