NNA - The Baabda Presidential Palace ceremony this morning, which hosted the palace's media professional and correspondent for more than thirty years, journalist Hoda Chedid, was filled with emotional moments and touching words, in a celebration honoring Shedid patronized and attended by President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun and Lebanese First Lady Nehmat Aoun.
The tribute to Chedid, who never knew the meaning of surrender, whether in her work or in facing life’s challenges amidst her struggle with illness and defying pain with faith, came in recognition of her professional dedication and her insistence on continuing to give and sacrifice, as in every step she took there was an unbeatable sense of hope and an unwavering determination.
At the beginning of the honoring reception, Head of the Media Office at the Presidency of the Republic, Rafic Chalala, delivered a speech in which he said: “Our meeting today is not just a tribute to a successful, beloved and solid media figure, who has earned the respect and love of the Lebanese. Rather, it is a gesture from the President of the Republic and the First Lady, confirming the embrace of those who excelled, stood out, innovated, and reaped accomplishments among the country's sons and daughters...It is an appreciation for Hoda Chedid’s journey, which is full of lessons, morals, and inspiration. Hoda, who faced various difficulties since early childhood, did not back down before these challenges but chose sacrifice, patience, and optimism. She is committed to devotion and goodness until the end..."
Chalala went on, "For those who do not know about her past, I can only point out that she chose to marry the one she loved despite her prior knowledge that he had cancer. Fate only granted her a few weeks to live with her husband before he passed away.”
Addressing Shedid, Chalala said, “My words about you, Hoda, will be insufficient because my deep knowledge of you extending over a quarter of a century, makes my feelings turbulent at this moment. You are the loyal, capable one who has always made me feel proud of our friendship and appreciative of what you have added to the media in Lebanon with your presence and beautiful personality...How happy I was when I convinced you to write your memoirs about cancer in your first confrontation with it years ago because your story was a source of inspiration and strength for many."
Chalala concluded by thanking the President and the First Lady for their "noble initiative that left a deep impact on all."
For his part, President Aoun honored Chedid with sincere, heartfelt words, saying: "Dear Hoda, I address you with words from the heart, as you face your illness with a pure heart and a spirit united in faith and determination. I accompanied your journey through the ordeal, and I drew inspiration and hope from your smile. I learned from your silence how to go through life in peace and hope and from your words how patience and love overcome the spirit of surrender. Trust, Hoda, that love surrounds you from all sides and that you have high esteem in my heart and in the hearts of many Lebanese. If I speak about your media career and writings, I would not do you justice. You are well aware that you have entered homes and hearts with your high professionalism and your radiant presence on screen and in the media. Most importantly, you have maintained your objectivity and steadfast patriotism in practicing your media message. I say this message and believe in it with all my strength, for the media is a sacred profession dedicated to conveying the truth and embracing people’s reality and hopes."
The President assured Chedid that his message comes as a "call for hope" and a "prayer for healing and recovery", considering that today, she embodies the "ultimate example of human inner strength even amid one's weakness and downfalls.”
"My appreciation for you is limitless, and I ask the Son of God Almighty, your intercessor and mine, to accompany you in this difficult stage, and to hold your hand with His boundless love," the President concluded his word to Chedid.
In a touching word of gratitude and indebtedness, Chedid thanked his Excellency, the President of the Republic, the First Lady, Mr. Chalala her life-time mentor, and all colleagues who accompanied her in her journey and helped her in her long career, especially at Baabda Palace where she worked as a correspondent for five terms, and also paid a word of thankfulness to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI), director and family, being the institution in which her career was crowned and from which she drew her strength.
Addressing the President of the Republic and the First Lady, Chedid reiterated her great joy at this kind gesture and the sincere affection that she felt toward her, noting that life does not stop whenever there is support and love, conveying her great satisfaction at crowning her professional career in this place that she loves.
Afterwards, with permission from the President and First Lady, Chedid presented LBCI Board of Directors Head Pierre El-Daher with an appreciation shield for his long-time support and encouragement while taking a commemorative photo for the occasion.
For his part, El-Daher thanked Chedid for her thoughtful gesture and her touching words, saying, "Hoda, thank you because we learn from you, and thank you to Mr. President and the First Lady of Lebanon for honoring Hoda because in this honor we are honoring a rare symbol in journalism whose name is Hoda," expressing all respect, devotion, admiration and pride in Chedid's long career acheivements and valuable contributions in the media domain and within the LBC institution and famiily.
Attending the event besides Chedid's father and family members was former Health Minister Dr. Mohammad Khalifeh and the medical team supervising her treatment; Director General of the Presidency of the Republic Antoine Choucair; Media Advisor Najat Charafeddine; Editor-in-Chief of Al-Liwaa Newspaper Salah Salam; Chairperson of the Annahar Group Nayla Tueni; Member of the Board of Directors of L'Orient Le Jour Michel Helou and Editor-in-Chief Elie Fayyad; the Reuters Agency family, as well as many media professionals in these institutions, a crowd of Hoda's friends and colleagues, employees of the Media Office at the Presidency of the Republic, accredited media correspindents at Baabda Palace, and members of the President's family.
=============R.Sh.
