Girges bin Francis bin Youhanna bin Francis bin Shukri bin Luis bin Ibrahim, known as Abu Manash, was a Maronite bishop, writer, researcher and scholar. Born in Aleppo, Syria, Manash was elected member of the Arab Academy in Damascus. He undertook scientific field trips in search for ancient books and manuscripts, and was even a guardian of the Maronite library in Aleppo. He published a number of religious, historical and literature articles in several magazines including Al-Mathriq (The Orient), Risalat Al-Salam (A Message of Peace) in Beirut and Al-Mojamma’ Al-‘ilmi Al-Arabi (Arab Academy) in Damascus. Among his notable works include The Calendar of the Maronite Printing House , The Piece of Art in 3 Maronite Academies , The Book of Traditions , A Letter to Maximus the Wise , and many others.

Jirasemos, or Georgy, bin Ispirideon bin Nicola bin Masarrah was a Greek bishop, writer and journalist. Born in Lattakia, Masarrah received a PhD in theology. In the field of journalism, Masarrah helped found Al-Hadiya (The Gift) newspaper for the Christian Teaching Organization in 1922 and contributed to Al-Mahabba (Love) newspaper. He was appointed Archbishop of Beirut and Archbishop of the Syrian Orthodox in Alexandria, Egypt, and later went on to found The Orthodox Charity in Cairo, which still exists today. Among his notable charitable projects include the restoration of Saint George Orthodox Cathedral in Beirut, as well as the establishment of church market and hospital. Among his notable works include The Lights in Secrets and The History of Split , as well as translations including Leaflet of the Synod of Constantinople , which he translated from Greek to Arabic, and Ishaaq Al-Kanadi (Isaac, the Canadian), which he translated from Arabic to Greek.

Jbour As’ad Abdel Nour was a writer and researcher born in Bhamdoun, Lebanon. After graduating from Saint Joseph’s University in Beirut, Nour went on to receive his PhD from Sorbonne University in Paris. He later returned to Lebanon and worked as a lecturer at Saint Joseph’s University before becoming a Dean of the College of Education, and later the Dean to Faculties of Arts in several Lebanese universities. He shined in the fields of academic literature studies and was especially known for his work in writing dictionaries. Among his notable works include Arabic-French dictionary Al-Manhal , Al-Jawari (The Maids), Sufism in the Arab World , The Literature Dictionary , Blinks into the Philosophy of Arabs , and Arabic-French dictionary Abdel Nour’s Dictionary.

Gibran bin Khalil bin Michael bin Saed Gibran, known simply as Khalil Gibran, was a Lebanese writer, poet, novelist and painter. Born in Damascus, Gibran is considered one of the genius contemporary writers in the United States. After completing his studies in Beirut, Lebanon, Gibran immigrated to the United States with relatives in 1895 and settled in Boston. He later returned to Beirut and studied at Al-Hikmah (Wisdom) School, after which he traveled to Paris to receive the artist prize in photography in 1908. Gibran returned to the states in 1920 and lived in New York, where he contributed to the establishment of the New York Pen League. His paintings were accepted by the Official International Exhibitions in France and he was later elected as a member of the English Association of Photographers. In the Arab world, Gibran’s writings — which became best sellers after Shakespeare and Laozi — earned him the reputation of being a literary and political rebel. Gibran’s writings appeared in magazines including Al-Mohajir (The Immigrant) and Mir’at Al-Gharb (Mirror of the West), and he also worked with Nasib Arida to publish Al-Fonoun (The Arts) magazine. Among his notable literary works include T ears and Laughter , Nymphs of the Valley , Spirits Rebellious , Broken Wings and The Storm , all of which were translated from Arabic to English. Among his famous English writings include The Prophet , The Madman , Sand and Foam , Jesus, The Son of Man , and The Garden of the Prophet . All of Gibran’s Arabic Literature can be found in a collection entitled The Complete Works of Gibran Khalil Gibran , collected by Mikha'il Na'ima.

Tomas Habib was a stage actor born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1918. In 1940, he founded a theatre group called Anwar Al-Fan (The Lights of Art) and went on to perform in many other theater groups, including Firqet Ansar Al-Tamtheel Al-Faniya (Supporters of Artistic Representation), Al-Firqa Al-Arabiya Al-Faniya (The Arab Artistic Group) and Firqit Babil Al-Faniya (The Babylon Artistic Group). In addition to theatre, Habib also worked in radio and television, through which he presented several Iraqi and foreign plays. Habib is considered one of the first to introduce a realistic folk form to theatre performances.

Tuma Jibrael Hindu was a doctor and researcher from the city of Zakho in Dahuk, Iraq. He received his elementary education in Mosul, graduated from Dar al-Mualimeen and became a teacher. He later joined the faculty of medicine and served as a doctor in several hospitals throughout Iraq. After his retirement, Hindu worked as an expert at the World Health Organization in Cairo to fight Malaria. He was a member of several local and international medical institutions, including the head of the Sayedat al-Najat (Salvation Lady) organization in Baghdad. Hindu laid down the scientific principles of the fight against endemic diseases and was an important medical teacher in his field.

Jabra Nicola was a Palestinian journalist, trade unionist and translator. Born in Jaffa, Nicola is considered one of the first Palestinian Marxists and the first to write about the labor and trade movement in Palestine. Among his notable works include Professional or Trade Union Organization , I n the Jewish World , a translation of Lenin , Abul ʿAla Al-Maʿarri , a translation of The Arab Orient , a translation of The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy and a translation of Arabs and the Historical Development in the Middle East . He died in Lebanon in 1974.

Jack bin Philip Tajir was a Syrian-Egyptian historian, translator and writer from Cairo, Egypt. Fluent in both Arabic and French, he received his elementary education at the College des Freres and later went on to work as a librarian of a private library in Qasr Abdeen (Abdeen Palace). After publishing his renowned book A qbat wa Musilmoon (Copts and Muslims) in 1952, Tajir was mysteriously murdered. Among his notable works include Harakit Al-Tarjama bi Masr khilal Al-Karn Al-Tasi’ Ashar (The Translation Movement in Egypt throughout the 19 th Century), Isma’il Kama Tosaweroho Al-Watha’iq Al-Rasmiya (Isma’il Portrayal in Official Documents) and Maktabat Al-Kahira (Cairo’s Libraries), the latter of which he wrote in French.

Jubra’il bin Bishara bin Khalil Tikla was a Lebanese author, journalist and one of the owners of Al-Ahram Newspaper. Born in Cairo, Jubra’il received his education at Al-Yasu’iya School. His father, one of the founders of Al-Ahram , died when Jubra’il was young and his mother took care of the newspaper until he was able to take over in 1912. He dedicated his time to managing and expanding the business, as well as perfecting the printing process. Tikla travelled to Paris, where he studied economic and political science before receiving a degree in law. In addition to Arabic, he attained fluency in French, English and Italian. He was a member of several contribution companies, clubs, as well as a member of the Egyptian Parliament. Jubra’il was later elected as a syndicate of the Egyptian journalists. He died in Cairo in 1943.

FAQs Archive - Page 4 of 11 - Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation

Q: Jubra’il Abu Sa’da

Jubra’il Abu Sa’da was a Catholic Archbishop, researcher, narrator and reviewer from Palestine. Born in the city of Beit Sahour near Bethlehem, Jibra’il studied philosophy at St. Hannah Seminary (later called Al-Salahiya College). He joined the priesthood for four years and was later awarded a degree in philosophy and theology before officially becaming a priest himself. He became a teacher at Al-Salahiya College in Jerusalem, where he taught Arabic and Greek literature, and was then appointed Assistant to the General Patriarchal Vicar in the Jerusalemite Chair in Jerusalem by General Patriarch and then Archimandrite. During that time, Abu Sa’da established places of worship, schools and dispensaries. In 1948, Abu Sa’da was appointed Archbishop of Jerusalem. He was known as an eloquent orator and published many articles in both Al-Masarra and Risalat Al-Mokhalasiya magazine. Among his notable works include Qumbis fil Mizan , Hafith Ibrahim: The Great Egyptian Poet , Khalil Mutran: Shair Al-Quṭrayn , The Literary Renaissance in Lebanon and a ministerial novel entitled Why not you?