Religious Persons

Joining the religious life has been a strong tradition in NIha, which continues today. Theses faithful persons have served our community and kept the Christian Tradition.

Like in all Eastern churches since the birth of Christianity, Catholic or Orthodox, married men are permitted to become priests. This explains the bloodline of descendants from some of the married priests. Those who have had fathers as priests change the family name to hold surnames of Khouri or El Khouri meaning priest (from the house of priest).

Current religious (all in Lebanon)

• Father Charbel Diabes (Lebanese Maronite Order monk). Current Parish Priest. Son of deceased Diabes
• Sister Marie Angelique Salim. Nun at Zouk Mikhael cloistered Convent.Maronite Nuns of The Sisters of the Visitation Former Mother Superior. Daughter of deceased former Maktor (Mayor) Khalil Salim.
• Sister Marie Antienne Francis. Nun of the Lebanese Maronite Order, convent in Jbail.
• Sister  Tannous 1.  Nun at Zouk Mikhael cloistered Convent.Maronite Nuns of The Sisters of the Visitation Daughter of current Maktor (Mayor) Chalita Tannous.
• Sister Tannous 2 .  Nun at Zouk Mikhael cloistered Convent.Maronite Nuns of The Sisters of the Visitation   Daughter of current Maktor (Mayor) Chalita Tannous.
• Charbel Tannous, Seminarian, Lebanon. Son of current Maktor(Mayor) Chalita Tannous

Deceased religious in the last century (all in Lebanon)

Karam Family

• Father Yousef Karam.
• Father  (Gabriel) Karam (brother of Father Yousef Karam). Re built current main Church.
• Father Boutros (Peter) Karam (son of Father Yousef Karam). Father of Karam El Khouri (deceased resided in Sydney),  and Youseff El Khouri  residing in Canada.

Fahd Family

• Father …. Fahd .died age 107(father of Latifi Fahd who married former Maktor Khalil Salim. Also father of ….. Fahd/Khouri. Descendants include grandsons George Salim and Abdullah Khouri who currently reside in Sydney.
• Father Giris (George) Fahd (son of Father Fahd referred to above. Died last century at age 103 years.
• Father …. Fahd (grandfather of Abdullah Khouri who  currently resides in Sydney

Simone Family 

• Father …. Simone.   Descendants include grandson Fahim Khouri who currently resides in Sydney.

“Muhktar” (Mayors) of the Village

• By tradition each village in Lebanon has a locally elected Muhktar “mayor” who keeps village records on behalf of the Government, witnesses land transfers and presides over disputes. The current Muhktar is Shallita “Mutran” Tannous (son of Khazin Tannous deceased).
• Former Mayors now deceased in order of appointment (as far as back as records are held): Khazin “Mutran” Tannous, Jiris Kamel Khouri, Jiris Tannous Fhad, Khalil Salim, Khalil Nohra, Rizk Karam

Profiles of Achievements of Descendants from Niha

Dr Patrick Karam – born in Guadeloupe (Caribbean Islands), living in France.

Studied and Mastered in Law and International Law at Paris. Doctor of Political Science.

founding president of the Union of European youth 1989 to 1994

French Government appointed head of Interdepartmental responsibility for Equality of Opportunity for French citizens from the Overseas Territories, personally appointed by the  President Sarkozy.

Author of various articles and books published in French on post-Soviet and Eastern European political science including the book: “The Return of Islam in the ex-Russian Empire” (1996). published other reports, such as violations of human rights in various countries

Professor Bernard Haykel– born in Lebanon, living in USA.

Educated at Oxford University where he received his doctorate in 1988 in Islamic studies.

Professor of Near Eastern Studies and director of The Institute for the Tran regional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, at Princeton University.

In addition to his academic work, Professor Haykel also advises the British and U.S. governments on Islamic and Middle Eastern affairs.

Has an extensive amount of experience working in areas of the Middle East and Asia. He conducted several years of fieldwork research in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, India, and Lebanon and is a recent recipient of a Carnegie Corporation fellowship. Professor Haykel has native fluency in Arabic, French, and English and research competence in German, Italian, Spanish as well as Farsi and Urdu.

Dr. Albert Haykel – born in Guadeloupe  (Caribbean Islands), living in Lebanon.

Studied medicine & surgery in France and in America, where he then obtained his degrees and then later established Hospital Albert Haykel in the Haykaliyeh Lebanon (named after the family). He was responsible for helping to bring the asphalt road to Niha and has devoted a lot of energy to helping the village and its people, including the construction of its new cemetery grounds, restoring St Georges Church and constructing the steps to Saydit al-Qala.

General Samir Karam – born and living in Lebanon

Retired General of Lebanese Police Force.

Caroline Karam – born in Guadeloupe (Caribbean Islands), living in Lebanon

Lebanese Salsa dancing champion and Lebanese dancing representative  internationally

Dr Antonio Saud– born in Cuba, living in USA

Studied medicine at the University of Havana in 1958. Dr Saud was an outspoken proponent of freedom and democratic values. He was in conflict with the ruling Communist government of Fidel Castro. He was arrested and jailed as a political prisoner for more than a decade. In 1988 he gained his freedom and immigrated to Florida, U.S.A.

Professor Salim Daoud – born in Guadeloupe (Caribbean Islands), living in France.

Studied in Paris, became a pediatric surgeon in 1971 and later a professor at the Medical Academy.

George El Khouri– born and living in Sydney, Australia.

Studied Architecture in Sydney at University and is actively involved with the architectural planning for the Lebanese and Maronite communities of Sydney including the design of churches, schools, halls and cultural centres. He has conceived and established this website.

The Honourable Richard Torbay MP– born and living in Sydney, Australia.

Current member of NSW Parliament Australia. Speaker of the House (2007 – 2011).  Chancellor University of New England Australia.

Charles Tarbey – born and living in Sydney, Australia.

Chairman and Regional owner of the largest Real Estate Network in Australia of the Franchise Century 21 and founder of Australian Franchise System. He lectures and is author of various books on the Real Estate industry.Sporting achievements broke five Australian Weightlifting Records as a Junior  and was declared the best Junior Weightlifter Australia in 1971

James Wakim – born in Lebanon and living in Sydney, Australia.

Beirut Hellenic Bank Australia Managing Director & CEO, has been a respected identity in Australia’s banking and investment community for over twenty years and currently holds positions as Chairman and Director to various community organisations including the Maronite Church,Cancer Research and government organisations. He received Bachelor of Economics and in 2008, the International publication ‘Executive PA Magazine’ awarded James ‘Boss of the Year’.

Profile of typical family Migration from Niha

Immigration to the French West Indies Caribbean island of Guadeloupe from Niha began about 1919. The first were Hanna Francis and his wife Emelin.  After migrating close family ties were kept to Lebanon and relatives in other countries around the world. Arriving with little or no money, like so many that came after them, Hanna and Emelin mostly sold dry goods and clothing and travelled from country town to town selling these items until sufficient savings were made to open their own clothing store.

In 1920 Constantin Kalil, born in Niha – Lebanon, immigrated with his mother Jacob to Guadeloupe and soon after opened a retail shop in the main street of Point-a Pitre. In 1927 Constantin married Alice Karam born in French Guyana in 1912 and lived in English Guyana so she spoke Arabic, English and French Creole. Her parents came from Batroun- Lebanon in the early 1900’s . Constantin and Alice had 10 children and all were born in Guadeloupe. The children became successful business and professional people.

Georgette lives in Guadeloupe becoming a business women.

Jacques lives in France, studied medicine & surgery at University and currently owns two private hospitals.

Georges lives in Paris and owns a chain of 13 supermarkets in Paris.

Antoinette and Jacqueline live in Guadeloupe and worked with their Brother Georges.

Raymonde and Marie live in Guadeloupe and became hairdressers.

Juliette lives in France and studied at university and now teaches English.

Jean lives in Guadeloupe and operates a furniture business.

Philippe lives in Guadeloupe, studied Accountancy and is the vice- president of the Point-a Pitre Chamber of Commerce

Doctors of Medicine

Dr George P.Fahed Inigo – born/living in Puerto Rico pioneering Sleep Physician and great grandson of Jose Fahd.

Dr Carlos J. Ponce de Leon – born/living in Puerto Rico .Dentist

Dr Maxime DAOUD – born in Paris… living in Lausanne (Switzerland).

Dr Antoine Daoud – born in Guadeloupe (Caribbean Islands) (deceased 2010).

Dr Frank Ramya – born in Lebanon practiced in Canada (deceased).

Dr Jacques Khalil – Born in Guadeloupe,living France

Dr Patrick Daoud – born and living in Paris France.

Joseph Salim – born in Lebanon and living in Sydney Australia. Optometrist.

Sid Nicholas – born and living in Sydney. physiotherapist

 Architects and Engineers

Wadih ElKhoury – born Lebanon, living in Canada.

George Fahd – born Lebanon, living in Canada.

Carl Salim – born and living in Sydney.

Lawyers

Peter El Khouri -born and living in Australia.

Yousef Badawi – born and living in Lebanon.

Barry Saoud – born and living in Sydney.

Danny Salim – born and living in Sydney.

David Salim – born and living in Sydney.

Banking, Economics and Finance Graduates

Richard Haykel – born and living in Lebanon.

Philippe Kalil – born and living in Guadeloupe studied Accountancy

Hope Salim – born and living in Sydney.

Julie El Khouri- born and living in Sydney.

George Saoud – born and living in Sydney.

Valerie Daoud–Henderson – born and living in Paris France.

Jacque Zakham – born and living in Sydney.

Ebleen Saoud-Born and living in Sydney

Janelle Tarabay- born and living in Sydney.

Claudine Tarabay – born and living in Sydney.

Science Graduates

Carole DAOUD,born and Living in Paris….Pharmacist & Quality Management

David FAHED, born in Guadeloupe and living in Paris

Romain DAOUD, born and living in Paris…. Engineer in Chemistry

Laurent Daoud- born and living in Paris…Chemical Engineering & Energy Efficiency

Rodney Metlege – born and living in Sydney. Pharmacist.

University graduates

Laure DAOUD, born and living in Paris…. Marketing Manager.

Chamis Badawi/Hanna- born in Lebanon and living in Sydney.

Charlotte Badawi- born and living in Lebanon.

Yvonne Zakham- born and living in Sydney.

Rhonda Nohra – born and living in Sydney.

Yvette ElKhouri – McDonnell, born and living in Sydney

Natalie Tarabay -Born and living in Sydney

Antoinette Nichloas – born and living in Sydney.

Dianne Nichloas -born and living in Sydney.

Cynthia Zakham – born and living in Sydney.

Susie Nichloas -born and living in Sydney.

Helen Nichloas- born and living in Sydney.

Jenifer Nohra- born and living in Sydney.

Charlie Saoud- born and living in Melbourne.

Joesph Salim- born living in Sydney.

Builders and property developers

Karam El Khouri- born Lebanon, living Sydney.

George Salim- born Lebanon living Sydney.

David Salim – born in Lebanon, living in Sydney.

Sid El Khouri – born in Lebanon, living in Sydney.

Samir Hanna- born in Lebanon living in Sydney.

Joe Hanna.- Born In Lebanon living in Sydney.

George Azar-Born in Lebanon living in Sydney.

Carl Nohra -Born and living in Sydney.

Peter Azar -born in Lebanon living in Sydney.

Salim Daoud- born in Lebanon living in Sydney.

George Salim jnr-born and living in Sydney.

Louis Saoud- born and living in Sydney.

David Khouri -born and living in Sydney.

Paul Metlege.- Born and living in Sydney.

Salim Nohra – born in Lebanon and living in Sydney

Danny Tarabay- born Sydney, living Brisbane.

Karam El Khouri jnr.- born and living in Sydney.

Philippe El Khouri – born and living in Sydney.

Professionals

Carlos Nohra – Occupational Therapist, born and living in Sydney

Charlie Saoud – Real estate agent and principal of Ray White Real Estate Bankstown. Born and living in Sydney.

Marlene Saoud Mourad – School Principal, born and living in Lebanon.

George Nohra- School Teacher, born and living in Sydney.

Sporting

Salim Nohra – born in Lebanon living in Sydney. Coached Niha Tigers Indoor U/14 Soccer team to National Championship.

George Nohra- played A grade National Soccer, born and living in Sydney

Charlie Nohra- born and living in Sydney. Played for Lebanese National Rugby League team at International level and founding member.