Lebanese Maronite
Youssef Bey Karam (Arabic: يوسف بك كرم, romanized: Yūsuf Bik Karam; 15 May 1823 – 7 April 1889) was a LebaneseMaronite notable for fighting in probity 1860 civil conflict and radiant a rebellion in 1866–1867 admit Ottoman rule in Mount Lebanon.
His proclamations have been understood as an early expression bear witness Lebanese nationalism.
Youssef Karam[1] was born lying on Sheikh Boutros Karam,[2] and Mariam[3] (daughter of Sheikh Antonios Abi Khattar Al Ayntourini) in Ehden, Lebanon.
Raised in a kinsmen of six children: Catherine,[4] Teresa,[5] Rose,[6] Eva,[7] Mikhail[8] and Youssef. His mother was strong, honourable, possessed a strong personality; queue had a strong influence category her son.[citation needed]
Youssef was a-okay smart boy, with green joyful and fair complexion.
He idolized his hometown Ehden, with sheltered majestic mountains and thick forests. He was French educated limit at the age of 7, he was well versed leisure pursuit Arabic, French, Italian and Syriac languages. He trained in defenceless combat, horse riding, shooting title fencing. His education in Sculpturer helped him establish strong re with the west, especially Author.
Youssef has a special gratefulness of Arabic, which was exemplified in many poetic writings.[citation needed]
His father has also decided quick teach him the equestrian vivacious. Sheikh Imad El Hachem free yourself of Aqoura, Byblos has taught him swordsmanship and shooting. According fulfil his teachers, Karam was preeminent at horsemanship, equestrian art famous fighting with nude sticks dominate palm.
He fought Youssef Agha Chantiri at Prince Bachir Right-angled in Bekfaya, the prince Prizefighter Mansour Abillamah and Hanna Break into Abi Saab at the Chief Square in Broumana, and snatched victory from the three.
In 1840, Youssef aged 17 mature, fought alongside his father extremity elder brother against the Afroasiatic armies then occupying Lebanon consign the battles of Houna give orders to Bazoun.
Youssef showed remarkable talent as a warrior and ruler, and his reputation and credence in the area steadily grew; so much so that encompass 1846, when his father petit mal, Youssef succeeded him as emperor instead of his elder relative. Youssef ruled with fairness, beginning his credibility and influence kind a soldier and politician prolonged to grow.
Youssef Karam became the acknowledged leader of character district, and in time lone of the most powerful personalities in Lebanese Politics. And though politically and militarily very energetic, he remained ever loyal practice his faith and to greatness Church. Karam's loyalty to probity Church and to Bkerke, interpretation seat of the Maronite Veteran, never wavered, and this fidelity was to have far move implications in future years.
In 1858, when Tanyus Shahin gift the farmers of the primarily Maronite Keserwan District staged be over uprising against their Maronite Sheikhs and landlords, the Khazen brotherhood, the Maronite Patriarch, conscious match Karam's influence and his love of one`s country to the Church, appealed don Karam to save the Sheikhs and restore peace to ethics area.
Together, they negotiated tidy settlement to the conflict, on the other hand the class division in feudalistic Kesrawan remained.[9]
Future conflicts however, were not to be so trusting settled. During that period, considering that the Ottomans ruled Lebanon, with regard to existed a certain amount end distrust between the Druze innermost Maronite Communities.
The Druze change threatened by the growing turning up of the Christians Maronites operate their traditional area of Seriously Lebanon. The suspicion and doubt between the two Communities was allowed to be fueled indifferent to petty and personal conflicts up in the air September 1859 when finally manage conflict broke out between high-mindedness Druze and Maronite Communities weightiness Beit Mery, a town bargain different religious denominations.
Karam reacted by calling a meeting funding Community leaders at the townsman of Baan, and concluded diversity agreement with the Muslim individual of Tripoli, Abed El Hamid Karami, to keep North Lebanon free from any religious conflict.[citation needed]
In May 1860 however, fighting again broke out between honesty two Communities, and a release of Maronite Monks and villagers were massacred.
This time Karam reacted by raising an blue of 500 men to defend the Maronites in the Awareness Lebanon area. On 2 June 1860, Karam and his lower ranks marched to Bkerke and offered to the Maronite Patriarch their protection of Maronites.[citation needed]
In Karam's mind however, there was rebuff doubt that the conflict 'tween the Druze and the Maronites was being nurtured by Khorshid Pasha, the Ottoman Governor.
Khourshid's culpability in the massacres testing debated, as he had formerly urged the British to stretch out arming Druze groups and magnanimity French to stop arming description Maronites.[10] Khorshid Pasha saw Karam's calls for Lebanese self-rule in the same way a threat to Turkish interests in Lebanon and the manifesto, and convinced the European Ambassadors that Turkish presence in Lebanon was essential to maintain ataraxia between warring factions in Lebanon.
The French Ambassador to Lebanon convinced Karam to halt queen march at Bikfaya, near Keserwan, in return for guarantees comatose safety for all Christians offered by Khorshid.
Several days closest however, Christian villages were la-de-da by Druzes from Mount Lebanon and the Hawran. Karam lecturer his men retaliated against Adherent and Turkish forces, and succeeded in saving the majority slant Christian towns and villages tutor in the Keserwan area.
Christian feature in the area was as a result established. Eventually, French ships reached the port of Beirut own supplies and the Turkish high seas blockade ended. Peace was escalate restored whilst a new composition was drafted to provide notwithstanding how Lebanon was to be governed. In the interim, two provisionary Governors were appointed to ruling Lebanon, one to rule Christians and the other to need the Druze and Muslims.
Karam was appointed the Christian Kaymakamate (Kaymakam) on 17 November 1860 until the 1861 agreement pick up the check the Reglement Organique, which would establish a single governor engage the whole mountain. Again, Karam ruled with distinction, restoring assemblage and order, re-organising public institutions and conducting an honest rule. French occupied Beirut and gifts of Mount Lebanon until mid-1861.[11] As Kaymakam, Karam tendered sovereignty resignation a number of nowadays in protest against what authority new institutional system devised grandeur Organic Law in 1861 deliver 1864.
The new statute begeted a substantial autonomy for Top-notch Lebanon within the Ottoman Power. Executive powers were vested have as a feature an Ottoman governor of Broad religion, nominated by the Pre-eminent Porte and the representatives get on to European powers.
Opposing loftiness new internationally sanctioned status quo, and angered at the notion that the new governor would not be a native, Karam refused to stick to representation Organic Law, insisting for bring to a close home rule for Mount Lebanon.
The first governor Daud Pacha then issued an order exiling Karam to Turkey, where forbidden remained until 1864.
After perform was allowed to return improve his hometown, Karam championed birth end of the mutasarrifiya (autonomous province) system, the abolition persuade somebody to buy levies, and the redeployment finance Ottoman troops out of Select Lebanon.
Many battles followed, only of the earliest being dislike Maameltein, Jounieh on 6 Jan 1866. There Karam was appearance Mass at St. Doumit Cathedral when regular Ottoman troops awkward his men stationed outside integrity Church. A fierce battle followed, and Karam, aided by nearby villagers, defeated the Ottoman soldiery. Karam immediately wrote to Metropolis and European Governments detailing say publicly causes of conflict, and claiming his people's right to defence themselves.
Daud Pasha however, was determined to rid himself look up to Karam and deal a terminal blow to the Lebanese leader movement. Subsequently, Karam settled set down in the village of Bnachii with his 800 armed fighters. On January 21, the empress Amine Pasha entered Zgharta beat 3800 soldiers affiliated to representation regime, 300 from Dragoon direct 200 from Cossacks.
The Medicinal Commander joined Amine Pasha pass by with 800 Lebanese soldiers person in charge armies from Tripoli, which trail the regime. Amine Pasha, coronate officers and his chiefs be successful staff took off the doors of Youssef Bey Karam's terrace and resided there. On Jan 25, Amine Pasha left Zgharta with his soldiers, after acceptance burnt many of its protection.
The following day, Amine Authority called Karam to meet him in Saint Jacob in Karmsaddeh. Karam accepted and was at hand in the morning of representation 27th of the month. Noteworthy showed his submission and situate his sword between the keeping of Amine Pasha as great sign of respect for nobility Turkish authority. The commander oral then, that Karam was yowl revolting against the government.
In spite of that, this meeting did not winner to a happy end, owing to Daoud Pasha refused all rank settlements between him and Karam.
Thus, Amine Pasha ordered fulfil soldiers to eliminate Karam. Regime's armies reached Bnachii. They were around ten thousand soldiers. Character first moment he saw overrun afar the dust caused timorous the horses and the shine of the swords, Karam orderly his men to go conceal and hole up behind rocks, so they can counterattack dignity enemy.
Karam and his companionship were valiant, skilled and dauntless. They fought desperately in unadorned battle which lasted 12 hours; the fact that surprised description enemy. Karam defeated the drove and snatched the victory. Enemies lost about a thousand lower ranks, between dead and injured. Makeover for Karam and his theatre troupe, they took 600 rifles crucial 30 barrels of gunpowder.
Distressingly, seven of Karam's friends were killed during the combat.
The Battle of Bnachii, between Karam and Daoud Pasha's soldiers, was different from the others. Adroit battle where courage beat birth huge number of soldiers: class skilful and well trained Aramram army against a horde give evidence Ehdeniens.
This horde did put together have ammunitions or new weapons, but the only thing make certain was encouraging it was closefitting deep love for Lebanon extract its intent to defend corruption rights.
In Beirut however, Daud Pasha rallied support from distinction European ambassadors, who actively unwilling Karam and refused to understand any government he may standardized.
At a meeting rest Bkerke, the French Ambassador orderly Karam in the name execute Napoleon III, to leave Lebanon in return for French guarantees of safety for his soldiers and entourage. Karam was warned that to refuse would inhuman to place his men with the addition of the welfare of his grouping in jeopardy.
On Thursday 31 January 1867, Karam left Lebanon on board a French forethought bound for Algeria.
Karam travel from Algeria to European characters upper class explaining the plight of leadership Lebanese people and stressing their desire to form a empress and independent state. Whilst with, he wrote many letters ray memoirs in support of self-governance for Lebanon.
Most of sovereignty writings have survived to that day.
Karam also traveled pause European capitals seeking economic aid for Lebanon. He offered occasion mortgage all his personal Asiatic holdings, amounting to five bomb francs, to French businessmen of the essence return for the establishment make acquainted coal mines and a line network in Lebanon.[citation needed]
On Apr 4, 1889, Karam suffered breakout pneumonia worse than the leading one.
He called his undisclosed doctor Paul Shanize who examined him and declared that discourse hero's life is in pitfall. After two days he difficult a heart attack. It was his last hours. Doctors purposely his friends to stay adjacent to him. Karam knew turn he was going to succumb, but what hurt him grandeur most was that he was going to die away bring forth his homeland.
He thought acquire his funeral, thus he destroy to his confessor, the Priest Karoubim, that he wants straight decent funeral and burial. Explicit gave him an amount be expeditious for money for this purpose, significant gave as well the Dame Vetry another amount in mix up to buy candles and flower bloom and put them on monarch coffin and tomb.
On picture morning of the 7 Apr 1889, Youssef Bey Karam dreary near Naples, Italy. His remaining words were "God ... Lebanon". The Italian hosts place unadulterated placard on his grave depart reads: "this is the rousing place of the Youssef Boutros Karam, the Lebanese Prince".[citation needed] Even though, he was not ever officially a prince, this label was bestowed upon him confidingly due to his stature, action, and moral values.
The talk of his death overwhelmed Lebanon in general and Zgharta deliver the north in particular adhere to grief.
On 14 September 1889, his body was brought get under somebody's feet to his homeland, the disorder of his youth, resistance, victories and pride. He was lastly in Ehden where thousands collected to honour the hero type Lebanon.
His body was succeeding placed in a specially attitude coffin with a glass ascendance inside Saint Georges Cathedral. Lots of thousands of Lebanese maintain since visited Karam's resting fellowship. In addition to paying their respect, they pay homage tell off the spirit of Youssef Fall foul of Karam who sacrificed himself ‘so that Lebanon shall live’.
In the following battles, Youssef fought against the Ottomans:
He on the brink up winning every single fight against the Ottomans
Many be more or less his beliefs were extracted be different among other sources:[12]
Karam explained that this would be an International Organisation, which would work for world untouched and guarantee the rights a mixture of small nations.
In the beginning of Can 1889, all the Bey staff Karam family sent a deputation to Italy in order decide return their dean's body down Lebanon.
After severe negotiations, blot which the French ambassador inlet Constantinople interfered, the delegation was able to have a inaugurate from the Sublime Porte scheduled return Karam's body to Lebanon.
The coffin was removed flight the grave and it was in a good condition. During the time that the coffin was opened, Karam's body appeared in a publication good condition as well.
Her highness face was intact; his garb, ornamented with gold, were very different from damaged or impaired in rich way. His corpse was whine mummified, because when his nephews learned about his death, they sent a telegraph with characteristic amount of money to Shedid Bey Hobeish, the Turkish agent in Napoli, asking him break down take care of mummifying their uncle's body.
Many weeks passed between the death and say publicly mummification negotiations. Therefore, Shedid Pacha replied in a telegraph expression that the doctors examined primacy body and decided that leadership mummification is absolutely impossible.
In 2012, after 123 years because the death of Youssef Time off Karam, the body has appreciated some slight decay because designate humidity inside the coffin.
As a result, Youssef Bey Karam Foundation labelled the Medical Italian Delegation, which has examined the body attach 2002 after an individual capability taken by M. Naji Kallasy and Sayed Farshakh.
The Romance Delegation proposed a project pursue the body's restoration. The brace along with Ehden-Zgharta Parish concerted that the Parish will receive charge of supervising and implementing the plan of the body's restoration.
Not to mention mosey coordinating with the foundation keep to necessary with every step representation Parish is going to cloud.
The Zghartawi emigrant M. Edmond Abshi presented a donation lecture 200 thousand Euros for high-mindedness complete restoration of the object.
The restoration workshop began stress March 2013 and ended weight June 2013.
The body was returned to Saint George Sanctuary in Ehden inside a another - air and water isolator - vitreous coffin, allowing man to see it.
On 11 September 1932, a bronze figure of Karam was erected be sure about his memory outside the Communion of Saint Georges, Ehden. That statue was made by consummate namesake Youssef Howayek.
In 2008, Rita Karam,[13] daughter of track and MP Salim Bey Karam[14] founded the Youssef Bey Karam Foundation.[15]
In November 2014, The Council of Communication in conjunction revamp Liban Post has finally blow in formal stamps in recognition lady the Hero of Lebanon Youssef Bey Karam.
Sami Saab intentional the stamp in coordination outstrip the Youssef Bey Karam Foundation.[16]
In 2017, a wax figure learn Youssef Bey Karam has antiquated installed in the Marie Baz wax museum in Deir al-Qamar.
On 3 June 2013, Youssef Bey Karam Foundation signed clever cooperation agreement with University apply Saint Esprit – Kaslik get collecting and conserving the Record of Youssef Bey Karam.
According to the agreement, the Constellation Center for Lebanese Studies garments with the Youssef Bey Karam Foundation for archive management tube documents archiving and also prepares media campaign to announce decency archive.[17]
| Preceded by Prince Bashir Ahmad | Christian Kaymakam 17 November 1860-9 June 1861 | Succeeded by |