Good evening my dear Charbel Baini,
With great joy I finished reading the books which were like a sea where I was drowning in. I would never be able to find the words to express my thoughts and feelings about each book. I could see clearly how each of the poets have a great respect and admiration for you and it was definitely proven in their  writings, their poems and their letters. I guess there won't be enough words to describe someone like you who is filled with modesty, spirituality, decency, purity, honesty, kindness, compassion, affection and integrity.  Friends of mine tell me that I am blessed to be associated with a person like yourself. I thank God for this.
As for the interviews which you conducted with the winners I can really say that they deserve the award and each one of them has great talents and rich qualities in every aspect which the world is thirsting for. Congratulations to them and may god bless them.
I, on the other hand felt I am still in the very early stage of my musical journey but I thank the Lord for this  wonderful gift  which he bestowed upon me and I ask him constantly to walk by my side because without him we are all powerless.

Certificate of Appreciation for Australian Volunteers Australian Federal Government Volunteer Award 2016
To: The Cedars of Lebanon Folkloric Group
Presented to Elie Akouri
by Ms Julie Owens MP
Federal Member for Parramatta
Friday 10/06/2016 - 10.30am

ARABIC-AUSTRALIAN POETS
The Hon. DAVID CLARKE (10:03): I move:
(1) That this House notes that:
(a) on Thursday 24 March 2016 at Parliament House, the Association for the Development of Arabic Folk Poetry in Australia and the Arab World held a function to honour Australian poets of Arabic descent for their efforts in advancing the Zajale style of Arabic language folk poetry;
(b) those who were honoured at the function comprised:
(i) Issam Melkey, poet, born in Bechmizine, North Lebanon;
(ii) George Mansour, poet, born in Mitrite, North Lebanon;
(iii) Anna Chalouhi, poet, born in Darb Achtar, North Lebanon;
(iv) Romeo Oueis, poet and journalist, born in Rachghine, Zgharta;
(v) Wadih Saadeh, poet and journalist, born in Shabtin, North Lebanon;
(vi) Charbel Baini, poet, writer, critic, scholar and journalist, born in Majdalaya, North Lebanon;
(vii) Fouad Neaaman El-Khoury, poet, journalist and accountant, born in Bouhwaita; North Lebanon;
(viii) Shawki Moslemani, poet and journalist, born in Kawnine, South Lebanon; and
(ix) Dr Emile Chidiac, poet, journalist, social scientist, accountant, researcher; interpreter, translator and linguist, born in Beirut, Lebanon.
(c) those who attended as guests included:
(i) the Consul-General of Lebanon in Sydney, Mr George Bitar Ghanem;
(ii) the Consul of Iraq in Sydney, Miss Rokiya Abd Alkader;
(iii) His Eminence, Archbishop Paul Saliba, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Church, Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Dependencies;
(iv) Sheik Khaled Taleb, representative of Dar Alfatwa of Lebanon in Sydney;
(v) Sheik Iyad Abou Arja, representative of the Mufti of Lebanon;
(vi) Mr Luke Foley, MP, member for Auburn and Leader of the Opposition;
(vii) Mr Jihad Dib, MP, member for Lakemba;
(viii) the Hon. David Clarke, MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Justice; and
(ix) representatives of various Arabic-Australian community organisations.
(d) the Association for the Development of Arabic Folk Poetry in Australia and the Arab World was established on 6 May 2013 by Dr Bahia Abou Hamad, with its objectives including:
(i) developing and promoting Arabic folk poetry in Australia and the Arab world;
(ii) organising seminars, lectures and poetry events relating to Arabic folk poetry in Australia, the Arab world and the Arabic diaspora;
(iii) publishing academic studies and research regarding Arabic language folk poets and poetry; and
(iv) encouraging young poets to enhance their talents.
(2) That this House:
Thursday, 2 June 2016 Legislative Council- PROOF Page 3
(a) congratulates those Australian poets of Arabic heritage who were honoured at the function held at Parliament House on 24 March 2016; and
(b) commends the Association for the Development of Arabic Folk Poetry in Australia and the Arab World, its President, Dr Bahia Abou-Hamad, and its executive for its ongoing work in encouraging Arabic-Australian poets and Arabic folk poetry in Australia.
Motion agreed to.