In the quiet early hours of Friday 25 April, a solemn ANZAC Day Dawn Service was held at the Commonwealth War Graves in Qasqas, Beirut, commencing precisely at 5:20 am to coincide with the initial landings in Gallipoli over a century ago. Guests were requested to be seated by 5:15 am sharp to ensure the service ran in exact synchrony with the historic moment.

The heartfelt 30-minute service was a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and mateship demonstrated by Australian and New Zealand soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915. Following tradition, the ceremony concluded with a “gunfire breakfast” – a light meal historically served to soldiers before battle, often accompanied by a coffee laced with rum.

The service drew a distinguished crowd, reflecting the enduring significance of ANZAC Day internationally. Among those in attendance were Ahmad al-Hajjar, Lebanon’s Minister of Interior and Municipalities; Ihab Mattar MP, Member for Tripoli; religious leaders such as Father Louis Ferkh; and senior representatives from the Lebanese Army and police forces. Diplomats from allied nations were also present, including the Italian and British ambassadors. The Australian Ambassador to Lebanon was represented by the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires.

Oz Arab Media was proudly represented at the ceremony by Elie Kaltoum, standing among the community figures and dignitaries in solemn remembrance of the fallen.

The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds forged between Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon through shared history, sacrifice, and the pursuit of peace. It also highlighted the spirit of unity that continues to bind nations together across cultures and continents in remembrance of those who served.