Iqraa Cultural Salon

The Beirut Cultural Salon "Iqraa"

The Beirut Cultural Salon "Iqraa" is one of the cultural and social initiatives of attorney Dr. Zakaria El Ghoul and attorney Dr. Nadine Araji. It reflects a complementarity between legal practice, social engagement and cultural life, rooted in their belief that a lawyer's mission extends beyond the courtroom to serving society and fostering a culture of dialogue. Founded on March 19, 2022, the salon revives a long-standing tradition that made Beirut a meeting place for Arab and international intellectuals, after the civil war left its mark on the city's cultural life. It brings together distinguished members of Lebanese society to discuss Lebanese and Arab affairs at every level, away from political alignments and sectarian affiliations, with the aim of exploring the future of Lebanon and the region. Since its founding, the salon has hosted a wide range of public figures, including ministers, members of parliament, judges, academics, journalists and diplomats, in gatherings built on direct and constructive dialogue as a way to exchange and reconcile viewpoints, at a time when discussions on social media are often clouded by misunderstanding.