What a Khazen Means

and How New Generations Perceive it 

10 April 2008 

Already it is known about the enormous contribution which the Khazen family had brought to Lebanon. The name De Khazen is an official name for the tight connection which this family had created with the French authorities. This family was the first and pioneer of such special relationship which is seen and still exists nowadays, in our modern times. Obviously, legend personalities of the Khazen family who achieved this special relationship and support led to Lebanese political parties enjoy its benefits also, mostly nowadays.

It is important to realise a source of luxury as a lesson and reinforcement to carry on with it. Through all history of Lebanon, you come to realise that the Lebanese people are a nation of suffering, survival, and achievements. This nation is clever and stubborn, which relies and lives faith and sector preservation. It will not seemingly, give up any of those, whether for the better or the worse. A person with basic analytic abilities may easily see the main reasons for recent problems in Lebanon and its political infrastructure defects. They still mainly derive from religious basis, and it is unacceptable to say otherwise. Not that much has changed since the Khazen period started and Lebanon still suffers from foreign interference with help of interior powers. While the Khazen period had the Ottoman occupation and the Yamnies’ support to it, today the situation is still the same, principally, but the foreign and interior powers changed to others; much of betrayals and much of fights over leadership. It is pathetic.

According to that, it is crucial for any person who is interested in learning the history of Lebanon and analyse conclusions, learn also the history of the Khazens. You cannot differentiate or separate them.

Cheikh Abi Nader El Khazen’s Role in Returning the Christians of Keserwan Back Home 06 April 2008 In 1598, Emir Fakhr Al Din appointed Cheikh Ibrahim (Abi Sakr) an assistant to his authority and his brother Rabah (Abi Safi), a chief of staff. But in 1600, Cheikh Abi Sakr died so his older son, Cheikh Abi Nader, replaced […]

The Shehab Emirs and the Khazen Lords

03 April 2008

Emir Haidar, grandfather of all Shehab Emirs found on Mount Lebanon, had the Yamnies dismissing him from his position and placing Emir Youssef Elm Al Din instead. Following this, he escaped and disappeared in Hermel caves and sent the rest of his family to the Khazen Cheikhs who  hid them around villages of Kesserwan making sure that they receive all they need; at the same time, they kept in touch with the Emir sending him weapons to defend him self and advices how to act. 

At that time, Emir Youssef Al Yamni sent soldiers towards the Khazen Cheikhs demanding Emir-hood payments. Following this, Cheikh Nader son of Khater son of Abi Nawfal El Khazen turned to Deir El Kammar to settle down the issue leading Emir Youssef exempt them, and promise them special considerations.

A year after, Emir Haidar Shehab and the Khazen Cheikhs were ready for a battle. The Emir arrived in El Metn and the Khazen Cheikhs with their fighters from Keserwan joined him. Their commander was Cheikh Serhan son of Nawfal called Abi Nassif El Khazen. Indeed, the war erupted between the Kaissis and the Yamnies in Jard County which led to the defeat of the Yamnies.

Following this, Emir Haidar was returned back to his previous position and again, he confirmed rule of the Khazen Cheikhs over Kesserwan the county. The Emir’s advisors of course were of the Khazen Cheikhs but virtually, they ruled all areas in the country.

Lebanon in the Period of Cheikh Hossun El Khazen

03 April 2008

After death of Cheikh Abi Nawfal, his sons carried on managing Emir Ahmed Maa’n’s governing. Their skills did not fail their father, grandfather, and relatives from the Khazen family’s skills as they continued working on development and tightening the Catholic faith and its defence. Following this, other Catholic faiths such the Armenian and Assyrian turned to Keserwan to seek protection against oppression of their enemies. The Khazen Cheikhs in return, provided them areas to live in and a source to make a living out of; they followed heritage of their father and grandfather by welcoming Latin missionaries who would make Keserwan their stay.

In year 1693, the country faced a crisis which led to end of Emir Ahmed’s governing. Following that, Emir Musa, the Yamni, took control of seven counties which Emir Ahmed Maa’n controlled. He ordered troops to be sent to Bekaa’, a thing that led Cheikh Hossun son of Cheikh Fayyad or Abi Kanso son of Abi Nawfal El Khazen and other Cheikhs to turn to Darsen Mohammed  Tofotaj Pasha, asking not to permit army to enter Keserwan and pursue an act of steeling and robbing. Pasha Darsen’s reaction was understanding and appointing Cheikh Hossun El Khazen a Treasure Supervisor over tax and payments which people of Jbeil’s counties had to pay; this appointment included welfare of these counties. Cheikh Hossun?s handling of such position was effective because of hard work, and he made sure that protection is provided to any one who is a Emir or of a common people class, having them Kaisses.

The Khazen Cheikhs and Emir Fakhr Al Din Al Maa’n

22 March 2008

Emir Fakhr Al Din Al Ma’an was the biggest Lebanese Emir of all times, taking into consideration his power, good management, and good morals. His power expanded beyond Lebanon, large parts of Syria, and else where. His influence is still seen.

He was known for helping the Christians especially the Catholic and releasing them from the oppression that they were put under. Add to that, most of the Emir’s army was made of the Christians especially the Maronites. He also allowed Christian missionaries to spread around the Mediterranean defending them and their faith. He also treated the Christian mission tolerantly granting Abbeys of Nazareth and Sidon.

A biography of the Emir was written by Father Jean Roger, telling in a book he published in year 1664 in Paris, that he was a Muslim (Druze) in public but Christian in secret. He spoke about the Ottoman Sultan’s order to kill him by being strangled and before that was done, he turned his face towards the East and marked himself a Cross. They also found on his body a small gold Cross he was wearing. His death occurred on 14.March.1635.

Lebanon in the Period of Cheikh Abi Nawfal El Khazen

22 March 2008

After death of Cheikh Abi Nader, Cheikh Abi Nawfal became his successor where his governing was known to be effective and powerful. He continued concentrating on the Catholic faith, and made sure that it spreads around the country and becomes an inspiration for generations to come. Because of this, in 1656, the Pope Alexander the seventh granted him and his sons a Roman-Royal reward which became one of the Khazens’ symbols. On the other hand, King of France rewarded him Beirut’s Council but he also managed the Italian council.

In 1658, Cheikh Abi Nawfal transferred Akkar, and Batroun’s treasure to the government, at time where the state could not trust any one else’s obligation. At the same year, Emir Melhem Maa?n died and Emir Ahmed and Korkomas became his successors, sons of Emir Ali son of Emir Fakhr Al Din maa’n. Again, Cheikh Abi Nawfal had his mission to occupy the management of the country’s matters, as his grand fathers did.  

Developmental Psychology

Aspects of Traumatic Effects Following the

1975 Lebanese Civil War on Christians in Lebanon    

and their Transmission Across Generations

Pierre Khazen 15/01/07

History

Lebanon in the Period of Cheikh Abi Nader El Khazen 

 Written in year 2006

In 1621, Emir Fakhr Al Din appointed Cheikh Abi Nader and his uncle Cheikh Abi Safi el Khazen governors of Bsharri and assigned them the whole country. Following this, Cheikh Abi Nader el Khazen and his relatives, Khazen Cheikhs, started developing Keserwan their county and confirm its status building churches and abbeys; they promoted the Catholic faith in areas they controlled whether in Mount Lebanon or else where; this boosted them fame and glory.

Cheikh Abi Nader had a son called Abi Nawfal; a brilliant mind and excellent discretion led with rich experience in managing authority. Abi Nawfal was a Europeanised man and his father, Cheikh Abi Nader, relied on him majorly and assigned him critical issues whether in his presence or absence as to Emir Fakhr Al Din’s governing and authority. Cheikh Abi Nader would send him to Tripoli on his behalf to manage matters of Emir Hussein, son of Emir Fakhr Al Din, where he had to remain for longer periods; His extraordinary management gained him appreciation which was indicated in history while he made Jbeil Castle in Batroun his residence.

In 1630, an earthquake caused great damage to the castle which led to the death of his son Cheikh Nawfal the first and his wife, a Hobeiche family daughter and mother of Cheikh Nawfal the first. A year after in 1631, Cheikh Abi Nawfal rebuilt the castle.

History

A Quick Note about the Khazen Family (An Introduction)

Written by Late Patriarch Boulos Massad, an Intellectual and Patriotic Man

Having we have seen that the Khazens were a main factor for Christians to be able to go back home in Keserwan, we decided to type this historical fact to keep it proven.

In summer 1922, we were able to trace in Saint Isaiah Abbey’s library (Which belonged to the Anthony fathers) literature written by patriarch Boulos Massad, titled: "Short enlightenment on origins of the honorable family, El Khazen". This literature was part of a book named ‘Al Dor Al Manthoum’. They were 10 pages from 301 – 310 and the manuscript was clearly and beautifully written. The man who was responsible for copying this brief note was Boulos Barhoush, a priest from Sahel Alman. He probably started copying this history before Massad was appointed  a patriarch on 12 November 1854 and finished it on 22 March 1855, three months later as mentioned in last pages of the book.

"Al Dor Al Manthoum" was printed in Tamish Abbey in 1863 but this summary and other summaries written by the patriarch himself were not. We will add to this information, more information which we have discovered about Emir Fakhr Al Din and Cheikhs Abi Nader and Abi Nawfal, two brave heroic men who dominated this history indeed. This will fill the gap.

The crown Khazen family was born by the Maronite Chediak Sarkis El Khazen. This glorified personality lived in a village called Jaj in Mount Lebanon but following unknown circumstances and as time went on, he left his home in 1545 and moved with his family to another village called El Dar near to Keserwan but after some time, he moved again to another village called Ballouna in Ajaltoun, Keserwan. There he settled down with his children Abi Sakr Ibrahim and Abi Safi Rabah.

History

The 1982 Israeli Invasion of Lebanon 

Reasons and Aims

Pierre Khazen 12/3/2006 

Shlomo Argov:

On 3 June 1982 at 11 pm, Shlomo Argov, the Israeli Ambassador to Britain was attacked by 3 members of Abu Nidal’s Organization. The assassins were waiting for the ambassador to leave a Diplomats dinner party which was held in Dorchester hotel in London and critically injured him when one of the bullets fired hit his head; Argov was rushed to the hospital where doctors managed to save his life but he remained paralysed till he died in 2003.   

Ariel Sharon:

Ariel Sharon, Minister of Defence, heard about this attempt to assassinate the ambassador while he was paying Romania a visit according to his duty. He decided to continue with his meetings with senior officials in the Romanian regime. He left to Israel the day after.

The Government:

Menachem Begin held a meeting the next day with the government to discuss the increasing Palestinian terror against Israeli targets without the presence of Ariel Sharon as he still did not arrive in Israel. The government decided that Israel?s reaction would target the PLO in Lebanon which was based and operated from there.