NEW YORK CITY — A Lebanese flag raising ceremony was recently hosted by New York City Mayor Eric Adams — the first of its kind in New York — to celebrate Lebanon Independence Day, the Lebanese community, and their contributions to the city.  

John Abi-Habib, New Jersey’s honorary consul of Lebanon, was the master of ceremonies for the hour-long presentation that took place the afternoon of Dec. 6. by the Charging Bull on Broadway, just north of Bowling Green in the Financial District. Abi-Habib also serves on the vestry of the Maronite Cathedral in Brooklyn Heights.

Also in attendance at the event was Edward Mermelstein, New York City commissioner for international affairs; Manuel Castro, New York City commissioner for the mayor’s office (immigrant affairs); and Majdi Ramadan, Charge D’Affairs of Lebanon in New York. 

Adams referred to New York City as “the Beirut of America,” with its large Lebanese community, and said that it “breaks his heart” to see conflict in the region, but noted that, “Whatever plays out on the international stage, plays out on the streets of New York [as well].”