Day 1: (September 13, 2017) Arrival in Lebanon

On arrival at the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport at 3:05am, we had a little hitch which was immediately resolved before we were allowed to enter the city of Lebanon. I most sincerely commend Dr. Edward J. Alam – Professor of Philosophy & Theology Notre Dame University –  Louaize (NDU), Lebanon and also Program Consultant of the Cedars Institute (CI), Dr. Joseph G. Rahme –Associate Professor of History Notre Dame University – Louaize (NDU), Lebanon and President of the Cedars Institute (CI), and Honoree Claris Eid – Research Assistant, Benedict XVI Chair of Religious, Cultural, and Philosophical Studies, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), Lebanon for their warm welcome. In fact, we really felt at home as soon as we got to the University. The university environment, the infrastructure and the rooms were actually world class. Around 10:00am, Honoree Claris Eid arrived and welcomed the participants, showed us round the important places in the University like “the cafeteria, the laundry, the chapel, the mosque, etc. This first day was a lecture free day.