Culture Minister from Rashaya Castle declares November 24 “National Cultural Day”

The Rashaya Municipality inaugurated today the "Independence Staircase" and the rehabilited "Castle of Rashaya" during a ceremony held in its amphitheater under the patronage of Alwaleed Bin Talal Humanitarian Foundation Vice President, Mrs. Laila Al-Solh Hamadeh, and Caretaker Minister of Culture, Judge Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada, and in presence of 'Democratic Gathering' bloc member, MP Wael Abu Faour, Mrs. Nora Jumblatt and Mrs. Dalia Jumblatt and several prominent dignitaries and senior officials from the region. During the inaugural ceremony, a documentary film was shown about the history of Rashaya and its citadel. In his word on the occasion, Minister Al-Murtada said: "The measure of our humanity, Arabism, and patriotism is summed up by the victory over the oppression of Palestine, and the measure of our morals can be summed up by loyalty to the martyrs and to the struggling leaders, including Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash and dozens of his brave companions, who sacrificed what was precious and valuable for the sake of the homeland and the nation in the face of the occupation, so they laid the foundation on the 24th of November 1925 for our independence in the year 1943..." Al-Murtada continued to state that the Ministry of Culture, being the custodian of our cultural heritage, national memory and historical awareness, will mark this national day each year from the citadel He said: "From the Castle of Rashaya, I declare November 24 of every year a day of culture and awareness, which we celebrate together in this citadel, to mark the memory of those prominent leaders, to be inspired by their method and guided by their example...perhaps then we will stand firm in tribute to their words and actions." Al-Murtada stressed that following in the footsteps of our martyr leaders and ancestors our hearts and homes are open to the guest, but in the face of the usurper, there is no choice but resistance and the sword. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon