For Information Contact:
Dane LaJoye
Melitta J. Cutright
Melitta.cutright@lionsclubs.org
(630) 571-5466, ext. 359/327

For Immediate Release

First Lions Club Chartered in Iraq

OAK BROOK, IL (USA) April 12, 2007—The Iraq Host Lions Club was chartered by Lions Clubs International President Jimmy Ross on April 5, 2007 in a solemn ceremony in Amman, Jordan. According to Ross, “This is a historic event for Lions clubs, but, more importantly, it is a sign of hope for the people of Iraq. I commend the 20 charter members of this new club for their personal courage in stepping forward at a time of great insecurity in the homeland and for their desire to work to improve the lives of people in their war-torn country.”

Most of the new club members are young professionals. Charter President Akeel is a contractor. Other members include a poet, civil engineer, jewelry merchant and other business leaders.

"We feel a deep responsibility as citizens of Iraq and as Lions to work with Lions around the world to attempt to meet some of the challenges that face our country,” said Lion Akeel. “Our members, who come from Najaf and Baghdad, have already begun to work with our municipal officials to

Dignitaries at chartering include PID Moussan (2nd from left), Charter President Akeel (3rd from left), President Ross (center) and LCI Executive Administrator Peter Lynch (2nd from right).

assess the needs of our communities.   Our long-term goal is to help restore cancer treatment in our communities. The needs are so great--we have trained medical staff but we lack much of the equipment  and medicine needed to treat cancer patients.”

In the future, the new club plans to learn more about vision screenings and hopes to apply for a SightFirst grant to improve vision services.

Lions Clubs International has been in discussions with people in Iraq who were interested in forming a Lions club for nearly a year. The efforts were led by Salim Moussan, a past international director from Lebanon, who has many contacts in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, with support from other Lions in District 351 in Lebanon and Jordan.

Before a club could be organized, Lions had to secure the support and approval of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Baghdad. For safety reasons, organizing meetings were held in Dubai and the chartering ceremony was held in Jordan.

“The first purpose of Lions Clubs International is to create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world,” said Ross. “We hope that this is a first step to create such a spirit of understanding within Iraq and with countries around the world.”

President Ross places a pin on the lapel of a charter member.

In coming months more information will be made available about how Lions can help the members of the new Iraq Host Lions Club meet the challenges they face.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.3 million members in 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.