International Association to Save Tyre | Tyre Foundation

 

Maha El-Khalil Chalabi

Maha El-Khalil Chalabi

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

Over the past four decades, I have had the honor and privilege to dedicate my life to safeguarding the heritage of my hometown Tyre.
The International Association to Save Tyre was established in response to the serious threats to our heritage and to draw the attention of governments, international organizations and public opinion to the considerable importance of safeguarding this cultural identity of humanity.

Lebanon should be proud of its heritage and its global legacy. 
We have created cultural alliances with historical cities in the Mediterranean to promote cooperation and understanding through Dialogue.
Educating and empowering women, granting scholarships, generating employment for a sustainable development.

I am grateful for the continuous support of the world most prominent organizations such as UNESCO, the European Parliament, from leaders, Nobel Prize winners and most importantly from Members of our Association and Foundation.

Our heritage is our responsibility and the best path to build our future with Peace.

Maha

DR MAHA EL-KHALIL CHALABI has led numerous cultural campaigns for her native city Tyre since the beginning of the Lebanese civil war in 1975.

Dr. Chalabi launched the International Festival of Tyre in 1972. In 1980, she founded the International Association to Save Tyre and obtained in 1983 a UNESCO International Campaign for Tyre and its Surroundings to protect and develop the City.

In 1984, she succeeded in adding Tyre, Byblos, Baalbek, and Anjar to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

In 2009 she founded the League of Canaanite, Phoenician and Punic Cities, which includes today 49 member cities.

She obtained a vote from UNESCO’s Executive Board approving the League’s program.

Maha El-Khalil Chalabi is expanding her cultural program to a Virtual Museum on Phoenician Civilization, a Handicraft Village in Tyre dedicated to the revival ancient craft technics and obtaining Green Port Label for the League’s ports network across the Mediterranean.

Dr. Chalabi has also created the Tyre Foundation

She earned a Doctoral Degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris for her Thesis “ East/West, a relationship analyzed through Tyre travelers, from 16th to 19th centuries”.

On 17 February 2016, Maha El-Khalil Chalabi was nominated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of her commitment, and for her dedication to the ideals of UNESCO. 

On July 26, 2023, President Emmanuel Macron appointed her as a Knight in the National Order of the Legion of Honor.

Her Motto “ Get inspired by a glorious past to build a better future”.