São Paulo – The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce promoted on Thursday (23) a luncheon in honour of the consul general of Syria in São Paulo, Ibrahim Issa, who is leaving office and should return to his country. Issa, who remained in the post for a year and a half, thanked all the Brazilian associations established by Syrians and their descendants.
"I can say that I tried, with all my might, to achieve my goals and mission, serving my country with a sense of patriotism and happiness and also, as mentioned in the invitation [by the Arab Brazilian Chamber], with brilliance and dedication, and I am very proud of being described as a man of these qualities," said the diplomat in an address at the Arab Brazilian Chamber offices.
The organisation’s president, Salim Taufic Schahin, pointed out the cordial manner in which the consul dealt with the community of Arab origin in São Paulo. "He (Issa) showed extraordinary preparation at the time of the trip of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, bringing together the entire Arab community," said Schahin, who added that the Consul may consider the Arab Brazilian Chamber his home in São Paulo.
Issa made a point of mentioning all the Syrian organisations and religious leaders originally from Syrian and of Syrian descent and thanking them for their work and cooperation with the consulate. The Consul also said that the Arab Brazilian Chamber worked in partnership with all seriousness and sincerity to boost trade and economic relations between both countries.
Issa thanked the board of Club Homs, the Syrian Sports Club, the Arab-Syrian Cultural Centre and the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, among other institutions. In his address, the consul recalled the cooperation between the Syrian-Lebanese hospital and Syrian institutions, "bringing many benefits to the motherland".
Also present at the luncheon were the Marketing Vice president at the Chamber, Rubens Hannun, the secretary general, Michel Alaby, directors Sami Roumieh and Mustapha Abdouni and councillors Walid Yazigi and Orlando Sarhan, both former presidents at the organisation.
*Translated by Mark Ament
