Dr. Dahesh

Born on June 1 st, 1909 in Jerusalem.
He traveled extensively throughout the world. He was much talked about in the intellectual, literary and official circles as well as in the media.
His doctrine, known as Daheshism, which emphasizes the unity of religions, was proclaimed on March 23, 1942. A vast number of intellectual gathered around him.
Though totally self-educated, he was granted a honoris causa doctorate from the `Sage Institute’ in Paris in 1930.
Because of his doctrine he was violently persecuted during the rule of the despot Bechara El-Khoury then President of the Republic of Lebanon. He was unjustly and arbitrarily denuded of his Lebanese citizenship on September 8, 1944 and was accordingly exiled the vert’ next day, on September 9. After nine years’ struggle, he regained his rights and his citizenship in 1953.
He founded the Dahesh Museum, whose quality rivais that of other national museums.
He formed the Daheshism Library, the largest private library in the Arab world, known for its literary, scientific, artistic holdings, and especially for its distinguished periodical collections.
His more than 150 literary works have been translated into many languages. His works include: The Repose of Death, Memoirs of a Dinar, An Innocent in Chains or the Diary of the Prisoner of Treachery & Treason, The Song of Songs.
Dr. Dahesh’s literature is famous for its wide ranging thoughts and subjects and for its lofty aims.