When you survey the work of Gibran, do you find there are elements of his thought that have changed or developed over the span of his life?
expresses, a poet is under no obligation whatsoever to do the same. Gibran was not a saint, nor did he ever claim to be one. He was a man of genius and a great poet, but also a human being who aims at
Gibran started as a revolutionary, challenging a feudal system and questioning the tyranny of both church and state. During his lifetime, he was transformed to become a great unifier of the hearts of men, an inspiration to millions of people. He restored faith when the West lost its faith in two major world wars, and he continues to inspire generation after generation of the young and idealistic.
perfection, but is not perfect.
What lessons do you think we can draw from the work of Gibran for today’s world?
In a world where anger, disintegration, corruption, disorientation and anarchy are the order of the day, Kahlil Gibran stands on his own, as one of those rare writers who actually transcends the barrier between East and West, emphasizing the importance of reconciling reason and passion, of balancing the physical with the spiritual, and of finding practical and moral solutions to the major global issues that humanity faces. In the 1980’s you were appointed a cultural adviser to the President of Lebanon, Amine Gemayel, who was one of your former students. What were your duties in this position?
Are there any common misconceptions about Gibran that you would like to address?
Between 1982 and 1988, I served as the senior advisor on cultural matters, and official interpreter for the President of the Republic of Lebanon; in
The misconception that some people have about Gibran after reading The Prophet is that here is a man who is holy in every sense of the word, and a true Prophet. Gibran was the first to refute this idea, and always explained that he was a poet, but not a Prophet. He even suggested that while a Prophet should live by all the moral values he
that capacity, I actively planned and participated in many cultural activities designed to promote national reconciliation and amity. As a presidential advisor, I also participated in activities related to Lebanon and many other Arab countries, as well as the United Nations. In 1983, I chaired a presidential committee in Lebanon which