Youssef Karam - The Karam Family

The Karam family is family located mainly the Zgharta - Ehden region of North Lebanon. The word "Karam" means generosity in Arabic. This name replaced the previous name of the family which was Sahyouni.

The Karam family trace their origins to a French colonel that came from Le Mont, France and settled in Jerusalem in 1098. His surname was Cremoir. He ruled the Sahyoun fortress, and the family was consequently known as Sahyouni family. The name Sehyoun was not replaced till the 17th century.

The name of "Karam" was not adopted till Bechara Sahyouni's earned the name "Abu-Karam" due to his phenomenal generosity. "Abu Karam" means father of generosity in Arabic. This generosity was highlighted when Emir Fakhr-al-Din II was greeted in Ehden by roads lined with soldiers offering a wide selection of food and drink to the armies of Fakhr-al-Din II. Fakhr-al-Din II went on to beat the Ottomans in a historic battle in Tripoli.

The latest leader now of the Karam family is the son of former MP Youssef Bey Karam (1910–1973) and the brother of Assaad Bey Karam, Minister and MP Salim Bey Karam.

Read more about this topic:  Youssef Karam

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