Al Mazeed, a non-governmental organization (NGO), launched on March 29, 2023, after nearly a year of operation. The NGO’s mission is to provide aid and support to marginalized communities all over Lebanon. Al Mazeed, which stands for Magis in Latin, means “more”. Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus, always said: “More love and action for God which in turn results in more love and action for others. To seek Magis is to seek the greater glory of God.” Inspired by these words, Al Mazeed aims to achieve the Magis through three main missions: strengthening the civic engagement among members of the Lebanese society, building sustainable community projects with the active participation of youth, and helping the elderly who refuse to give up in the face of the daily difficulties involved in the economic crisis and political instability.

In March 2020, USJ students launched the Ketfe Bi Ketfak initiative with an aim to support 150 families that are in dire need as a result of the economic crisis that hit the country in late 2019. After the students collected enough donations to support over a thousand families, Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ) decided to back the students up and launched the USJ en mission project. USJ en mission has two main objectives: to stand by the Lebanese people and to shape citizens who are committed to social unity and the dignity of all. According to Fr. Jad Chebli S.J., Al Mazeed Director and USJ Campus Minister, “one cannot carry out an educational mission without standing by others. That’s the real power of the education and training that one receives at USJ: we shape young men and women to be mindful of the world around them, to be able to identify the needs and opportunities that arise, and to try to respond to them in a creative and unique way.” In May 2022, USJ en mission became an independent NGO, called Al Mazeed.

Al Mazeed, driven by a small team of devoted staff and volunteers, has already made notable strides toward its goals. While carrying out the implementation of projects previously launched by USJ en mission, like the food box drive in support of more than 3,000 beneficiaries, the NGO initiated several social projects, such as the “Sandeh” project in support of USJ retirees by giving them financial autonomy and establishing spaces that promote fulfillment, entertainment, and integration. Al Mazeed also launched various cultural and environmental initiatives, such as the “What School Doesn’t Teach You” project and the Jbeil Eco-Museum.

The launch event consisted of two engaging panel discussions. The first one featured Verena El Amil, founding member of Ketfe Bi Ketfak, Sami Kais, founding member of USJ en mission, and Roy El-Daher, founding member of Al Mazeed, who delved into the past achievements of these student initiatives, offered insights on the NGO’s future plans, and shared their personal and inspiring volunteering experiences with the attendees. El-Daher, Operations Manager of Al Mazeed, said: “This experience provided me with a deeper understanding of Lebanese society, which has helped me in my personal growth. As a volunteer, I have borne witness to the full spectrum of human emotions, from the ecstasy of joy to the pangs of sorrow, the pandemonium of chaos to the serenity of healing. This has deeply transformed me, leading me toward a more spiritual and empathetic way of life. I am driven to serve the world with generosity and excellence, prioritizing not only my material needs, but also my moral and mental well-being. Volunteering has taught me the importance of self-reflection, personal responsibility, and compassionate human connection.”

The second panel featured Fr. Salim Daccache S.J., Rector of the University, and Fr. Jad Chebli S.J., who emphasized the significance of having an NGO like Al Mazeed operating at USJ. They discussed how the NGO’s mission aligns with that of the University in serving the community and the country. They also highlighted how Al Mazeed can support the USJ Community and contribute to positive social change.

Fr. Chebli stressed on the importance of Al Mazeed’s work by discussing the challenges faced by the youth in today’s unstable environment. He said: “We are always called upon in these extremely unstable times to find new solutions, and to creatively address the problems we are facing. The greatest challenge we face today is the mass exodus of our youth. We cannot hold on to them with hollow speeches about our age-old attachment to our land, our Cedar, and our traditions! We owe it to them – and this is our most important duty – to build a promising future, to launch initiatives, and to help them find meaning and purpose in all they do.”

Following the launch, a cocktail reception, prepared by USJ retirees, was held where attendees had the opportunity to network and socialize.

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