By Arnaldo Ricciulli Chapter 13 of 33 "The Dream Maker Volume 4 of 4"

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• published: 28 May 2015
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Chapter 13 By Arnaldo Ricciulli Ibrahim Al-Malouf’s law The family went across the plains of Damascus, over the Anti-Lebanon mountain range and settled in the Bekaa Valley in the town of Zahle. Seemingly unhappy with his surroundings, Ibrahim Al-Malouf picked up stakes again and went to live with his family in the high mountains of northern Lebanon. The route to Bsharri was a hard one. They rebuilt the village that had been abandoned before their arrival and named the new settlement Douma in memory of Malouf’s village in Houran. Since then a church that revered Saint Sarkis, was also built in the new village. However, trouble was looming for the family. Soon after the murder of a ruler in Tripoli – he was denied the hand of one of Al-Malouf’s daughters – the family was forced to leave the region and seek refuge with an emir who had developed friendly relation with Al-Malouf in the Keserwan District. The village of Kfarakab established by the Malouf family c. 1560 A.D. The first four sons settled in the village of Mhaydse in 1550 A.D. One could see the entire valley from their homestead. Their observation led to part of the family moving to Kfarakab in 1560 A.D. where they established their homes. Dan, Gustavo and Damianos were now walking in the direction of a residence in ruins. “Is that one of Malouf’s houses?” Dan asked. “Yes, Dan. Fourteen generations separate the souls who lived in this house and the men and women who have contributed to the economical and political growth of Lebanon. The family was highly educated. Whether we are talking about professional careers such as law or engineering, or the arts such as poetry and historical research, everyone – men or women – prided themselves in being educated.” “I guess Abi-Rajih was ‘true’ to his name, wasn’t he?” Gustavo noted. Damianos nodded. But Dan frowned. “How did he or his descendants contribute to the ruling of the Ottoman Empire then?” “Very good question, Dan, and one that we should discuss presently. From Algiers to the west, Budapest to the north, Zella in Africa to the south, to Baku on the Caspian Sea, the Ottoman Empire succeeded in acquiring many of the territories surrounding the Mediterranean, over nearly four centuries. Nevertheless, and as I said, they could not restore the Roman Empire and, most importantly, Italy was never part of their territories.” They stopped walking. “Any reason for this?” “Yes, Gustavo. Italy was not only difficult to access but the land was dedicated to God and his church by the twelfth century when the Ottomans were trying to invade the territories surrounding Italy. Besides, there were huge powers in Europe to the north and east that wouldn’t have allowed further incursions.” “So, what role did Al-Malouf play during the Ottoman reign to be recognized as a ruler?” “It is not so much what he did but how he did it, Dan. The valley you see in front of you”—Damianos’s arm traveled across the panorama—“is perhaps a very good representation of what was happening in the sixteenth and seventeenth century around the Mediterranean states. Damascus, as powerful as it was at the time, was located in the depth of the valley of Syria. It was easy prey for the Emperor Selim I. But located in the Mountains of northern Lebanon, the new ruling government could not oversee the remote villages of the region. So, Al-Malouf, the highly respected Ghassanid, devised a system of jurisprudence which saw to the rightful balance between central and local authorities. It was designed to allow the integration of culturally and religiously diverse groups. The empire designed a three-court system: one for Muslims, one for non-Muslims, involving Jews and Christians ruling over their respective communities, and the third was overseeing the trade courts. The system was not based on any of the religions but on a system dating back to the pre-Islamic era, called the Yassa, which had been the system used by the Ghassanids before the advent of Christianity.” “That’s amazing,” Dan said. “Truly amazing.” Dan looked over the valley again. “He was really a man of God wasn’t he? I wonder why his name is not mentioned in the Royal Appointment though.” “In a way it is comprised in the mention of the Hashemite Royal House in Akoura,” Damianos reminded him. “When we get to the hotel tonight, perhaps you could read a little more about the Ottoman Empire.” “Sure will,” Dan agreed, “And isn’t a fact that the empire was the longest lasting government in power in history?” “Yes it was. It was dissolved at the issue of World War I in 1920.” “Wow!” Gustavo exclaimed. “You mean these guys ruled for seven centuries?” “Precisely. And I believe the main reason for their reign being so long and prosperous in many regards was due to the fact that they