Amel Association International – Primary Health Care Center in Shmastar held a special ceremony to honor the memory of the late prominent journalist Talal Salman, founder and owner of As-Safir newspaper, by naming the center after him.
The event was attended by Dr. Kamel Mohanna President of Amel Association International and Coordinator of the National NGO Network in Lebanon, along with the Mayor of Shmastar, the President of the Union of Western Baalbek Municipalities, members of Salman’s family, as well as social, medical, and municipal figures.
Remarks by Dr. Kamel Mohanna
Dr. Kamel Mohanna, emphasized that Talal Salman was not merely a personal friend but that “a unity of purpose bound us together without ever being broken.” He stated:
“He was not only a supporter of Amel Association International but one of those who fully embraced its humanitarian and social mission. Just as As-Safir newspaper adopted a national cause, we at Amel embraced the mission of serving our homeland and our people. Today we stand in this very center, which exists thanks to Talal Salman’s efforts in establishing, supporting, and sustaining it. He was known for his generosity, his human touch, and his commitment to giving all he could in service of his community and his country.”
Dr. Mohanna added:
“It was no surprise that our beloved Abu Ahmad ensured the success of this center, constantly following up on its progress, asking about its needs, and supporting health and development services for both the residents of this area and Syrian refugees. This region has long thirsted for voices demanding that the state fulfill its duties, make up for neglect, build people’s capacities, and pave the way for the progress of its children.
The doors of Amel’s center in Shmastar remain open to the people—for it belongs to them and serves them.”
He continued:
“Even before this center began its work, Talal Salman was already the golden pen who dedicated his words to the struggles of the people—their hardships, needs, and rights. He fought courageously against those who attacked their freedoms, violated their dignity, and usurped their decisions. He was bold in his national and Arab stances, unafraid to confront dangers and adversaries. Beyond his journalism, his humanitarian acts were discreet—he quietly supported his kin, his friends, and all those in need. Today, with pride, on the second anniversary of his passing, we seek the blessing of his generous spirit as we name this center the ‘Talal Salman Health, Social and Development Center’, a lasting tribute to a man who was loyal to his people and his country, and who left behind countless good deeds to keep his memory alive.”
Dr. Mohanna concluded with a personal message:
“My brother, my friend—you never left us. Neither I nor your many friends ever felt your absence. You remain with us, present in every word you spoke and every moment we shared—in Shmastar, in Khiam, in the newsroom, and in every event of this association. Your name will remain on our lips and in our hearts. With your cherished family—Um Ahmad and your beloved children—we will continue walking the path you loved, strengthening this center to make it one of Amel’s leading institutions, expanding primary health care, psychosocial support, elderly care, and all the development projects that Shmastar and its surroundings so urgently need.”
Remarks by the Municipality of Shmastar
Mayor Suhail Al-Hajj Hassan emphasized that Salman’s name would remain alive in the hearts of Lebanese and Arabs, adding:
“He was the voice of the voiceless, the voice of Arabism, nationalism, and the homeland, at a time when journalism had become a tool serving suspicious agendas.”
Remarks by the Family
Speaking on behalf of the family, Hanadi Salman, daughter of the late journalist, delivered an emotional tribute:
“I see you everywhere, in the faces and dreams of people. I carry your name with pride, though afraid I may never do it justice. Here, in the place you loved and with the people you cherished, your love remains the strongest.”
“We are here now, in the place you loved and among those you loved. Kamel Mohanna did what so many others should have done, and gave your name to this center—so that love remains the strongest, just as you always said. Two years ago, we laid your body to rest in the earth, but your spirit, your thought, and your heart are still fully present here.”
Hanadi Salman
Remarks by Dr. Ahmad Abboud
Dr. Ahmad Abboud, Director General of Amel, recalled Salman’s support since the association’s founding in 1979, noting that As-Safir consistently amplified Amel’s humanitarian mission without charge. He said:
“Naming the Shmastar center after Talal Salman is an act of loyalty to his memory. Amel will continue to develop this center with high-quality programs in partnership with ministries, international organizations, and local actors.”
Closing the Ceremony
The ceremony concluded with a tour of the center’s facilities, followed by the inauguration of a public garden in the town and the planting of a tree in Salman’s name, commemorating his national, humanitarian, and media legacy.
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