About us

BDS History

The BDS was first founded at Shawky Makarem’s house in Walton-On–Thames, England on the 3rd of August 1983 during the terrible Lebanese civil war which lasted over 15 years. The founding members were Noura Alameddine Abi- chahine , Dr Shibli Abi-chahine, Eyad Abu-Chakra, Sleiman Bu Hamzi, Nadim Al Halabi, Ghassan Arbid, Muhammad Sultan and Shawky Anis Makarem.

The first ever donation made to the BDS was by the two daughters of one of the founders Shawky Makarem and they were Shereen and Lamene Mkarem who donated their pocket money savings.

The charities that the BDS has contributed to in the past are:

  • The Druze Orphanage (Aabey)
  • Druze Foundation for Social Welfare (DFSW)
  • Druze Welfare Association
  • Makarem Foundation
  • Princess Diana Memorial Fund (1997)
  • St. Jude’s Children’s’ Cancer Center of Lebanon Foundation (2013)
  • Lebanese Red Cross
  • NHS (National Health Service)
Our first members

Founders of BDS

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Mouhamad Al Sultan
Held the first position as Chairman
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Eyad abou shakra
Hold the position of the General Secretary of the BDS between 1993-1996
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Dr Shibleh Abou Shahin
One of the BDS founders in the early 1980s
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Slayman Abou Hamzeh
BDS Member
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Ghassan Arbid
Treasurer
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Shawki Makarem
Relief Officer
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Nadim Al Halabi
President
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Noura Alam Al Din
Information Officer

British Druze Society – since 1983
Charity No. 287598
London, UK

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