Under the patronage of MP Hadi Abou Al Hessen, and in collaboration with the Waqf and Municipality of Btekhnay, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and partners proudly hosted a historic traveling exhibition to mark the launch of Lebanon’s first Hima Waqf—a groundbreaking initiative uniting the endowment (waqf) system with community-based conservation practices.
This project was initiated by the previous municipal council through the Environment Committee, which was chaired by Mrs. Majida Chaya Abou Hassan. Today, it is being continued in cooperation with the Waqf Committee in the town of Btikhni, and this collaboration has led to the launch of the Hima al-Waqf project, which we are celebrating the announcement of today.
Held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Btekhnay Municipality, the event drew national and international environmental stakeholders, municipal leaders, civil society actors, and donors. It served as a vibrant platform for reaffirming Lebanon’s environmental heritage while paving the way for sustainable governance rooted in cultural values.
Voices from the Ceremony
🟩 Local Leadership Committed to Environmental Stewardship
The event opened with a warm welcome from President of Btekhnay Municipality Issam Fouad Aboul Hessen and former president Hamad Salim Aboul Hessen, reaffirming their role as champions of local environmental governance:
“Today, Btekhnay affirms its commitment to heritage, nature, and community-driven conservation by hosting Lebanon’s first Hima Waqf initiative.”
🟩 Reviving the Spirit of Endowment for Nature Protection
The president of Waqf Btekhnay Marwan Aboul Hessen reflected on the spiritual and ethical foundations of the Hima Waqf:
“Through this Waqf, we revive a centuries-old tradition—putting faith, trust, and land at the service of our shared natural future.”
🟩 SPNL: Bridging Past and Future through Hima
Mr. Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL, emphasized the pioneering nature of the initiative:
“The Hima Waqf is a beacon of hope—where tradition, law, and ecology meet to serve people and biodiversity alike.”
🟩 Empowering Youth and Civil Society
Mr. Malek Ghandour of the Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF) highlighted the need for youth engagement:
“Our role is to ensure that younger generations carry the Hima spirit forward—rooted in community values and ecological justice.”
🟩 IUCN: Tradition as a Nature-Based Solution
Mr. Fadi Ghanem, representing IUCN, endorsed the alignment of the Hima Waqf with global sustainability goals:
“This initiative aligns with IUCN’s mission to support locally led conservation that is culturally rooted and ecologically effective.”
🟩 Policy Support for Faith-Based Environmental Innovation
MP Hadi Abou Al Hessen reaffirmed his commitment to integrating religious heritage with sustainability:
“As a public servant and representative of this region, I stand with this vision—where environmental sustainability and religious endowment unite.”
Additional Activities and Outcomes
The event concluded with a discussion and recommendation session, a showcase of best practices, and an interactive exhibition and networking segment that allowed participants to explore the broader BioConnect and MPA initiatives.
On Sunday, June 1st, attendees are invited to a follow-up program featuring a cultural walk, yoga session, and artistic evening at Hima Waqf Btekhnay, reinforcing the link between environmental wellbeing and human connection.
A Model for the Region
This first-of-its-kind Hima Waqf project sets a model for other communities across Lebanon and the region. It revives the Hima system, a time-honored conservation practice, and grounds it in waqf principles, creating a lasting framework for environmental protection, social equity, and intergenerational justice.
