Marmarita diaspora communities elect honorary presidents in Australia, Venezuela, and Lebanon

02/10/2026

MELBOURNE / CARACAS / BEIRUT — Marmarita’s diaspora communities have elected honorary presidents for 2027 in Australia and Lebanon, while the community in Venezuela has renewed its confidence in its current representative, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain ties with the predominantly Christian town in western Syria.

The Marmarita community in Melbourne announced the election of Fadi Elias Mallouhi as its honorary president for 2027, citing his continued engagement with residents of the town in Syria and abroad.

Mallouhi comes from a Marmarita family and spent his early years in the town before moving to Hmoth (Homs), then Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and eventually settling in Melbourne, Victoria. Throughout these moves, he maintained his connections with Marmarita’s residents and continued participating in community gatherings and social events.

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He remains active in the local diaspora community, keeping in contact with residents both in Syria and abroad. His election reflects the community’s recognition of his continued involvement and commitment to maintaining these connections.

In Venezuela, the Marmarita community renewed its confidence in historian Dr. Atef Suleiman Karam as its honorary president. Karam has contributed to strengthening ties among community members and supporting residents of the town.

His work has included providing assistance to people affected by an earthquake in Venezuela, including support with aid, shelter, and medical care. He has also worked to preserve Marmarita’s history by collecting personal accounts, photographs, and documents to help safeguard the town’s collective memory.

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In Lebanon, the Marmarita community renewed its confidence in Ibtisam Khoury as honorary president of the community in Beirut for 2027, recognizing her professional career, humanitarian work, and contributions to the community.

Khoury holds a degree in English literature from the University of Damascus and has worked in hospital radiology departments in Beirut. She has developed a career in radiography and participated in health-related and professional meetings, including an event affiliated with the World Health Organization.

Marmarita’s History and Heritage

Marmarita lies in Wadi al-Masihiyeen (Valley of the Christians) in Hmoth countryside, connecting Hmoth and Tartous governorates. The town is located approximately 12 kilometers from the Lebanese border and is known for its long history and predominantly Christian population.

Its Christian communities include Greek (Rûm) Orthodox, Melkite Greek (Rûm) Catholic, and Protestant residents. The town’s name is associated with Syriac linguistic traditions, although its precise etymology is disputed.

Marmarita is also known as a tourist destination for its scenic landscape, temperate climate, and views of the surrounding region.

Despite challenges affecting activities inside Syria, members of the Marmarita diaspora continue to organize community initiatives, preserve the town’s history and maintain connections with residents at home. The appointments and renewed mandates for 2027 highlight the role of community representatives in sustaining those links across generations and borders.