Khatchig Babikian

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Khatchig Babikian (1924–1999) aka John Babikian, was a philanthropist, attorney, a Lebanese politician of Armenian origin, and a former member of the Lebanese Parliament (1957–1999) and Lebanese government minister on many occasions as minister of Health, Tourism, Information, Planning, Foreign Affairs, and Justice.[1]

Babikian was renowned for his multilingual proficiency, philanthropic efforts, and support for the Armenian community. The Khatchig Babikian Fund, a charitable initiative founded by his family in his honor, aims to support Armenians, particularly in Lebanon.[1]

Biography

Born in

polyglot, he spoke Arabic, Italian, French, Armenian, Turkish, English, and Latin. He was imprisoned in 1940 in a concentration camp in Italy, where he finished his baccalaureate. He later obtained his law degree from the Saint Joseph University of Beirut
.

He became one of the most brilliant lawyers and most eloquent of his generation, always supported by the Tashnag party

]

John Babikian was elected and appointed Armenian orthodox of

Chafic Wazzan
and 1990–1992).

Khatchig Babikian Fund

The Khatchig Babikian Fund was created in January 2007 by the five daughters of the late Khatchig Babikian (1925–1999). The fund honors the memory of Mr. Babikian, a philanthropist, attorney, former member of the Lebanese Parliament (1957–1999), cabinet minister successively of Administrative Reform, Health, Tourism, Information, and Justice in the Lebanon government, and former chairman of the executive council of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia — Antelias, Lebanon.[2]

The fund is to contribute to the welfare of Lebanese Armenians in particular, and Armenians in general. It was the will of Babikian to establish such a charitable fund to benefit Armenians in humanitarian, educational and cultural projects. In addition to the donation to St. Stephen’s, the Babikian Fund has made large donations to Beirut’s St. Joseph University and the American University of Beirut, providing scholarships for needy students.[3]

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ "Lexingtonians help Armenian school". Hürriyet. 2007-08-26. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  3. ^ "Lexingtonians help Armenian school". Wicked Local. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2023.