Bahia Hariri


Bahia Bahaeddine Hariri is a Lebanese politician and sister of late former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Early life and education

Bahia Hariri was born in Sidon, Lebanon in 1952 to a modest Sunni Muslim family. Her two brothers are Shafic and Rafik Hariri.

Career

Hariri worked as a teacher upon graduation in Sidon and southern Lebanon until 1979. She then headed the Hariri Foundation in Sidon, founded by her brother Rafik Hariri in 1979. The foundation is a major educational and charitable institution.
In 1992, Hariri was elected as member of Parliament for the Sunni seat in Saida. She was reelected in 1996 and 2000 for the same seat. From July 2008 to November 2009 she was the minister of education.
She was again elected to Parliament in June 2009. She currently heads the Parliamentary commission for education and culture in the Lebanese Parliament, in addition to being member of the Parliamentary commission for foreign and immigration affairs. in addition to being the vice-president of the commission for women at the inter-parliamentary Arab Union.
She is also a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO, and heads the Islamic Organization for Higher Education. She also serves on the Advisory Council of World Links Arab Region.

Personal life

Bahia Hariri is married to her cousin Mustafa Hariri and has four children: Nader, Ghena, Ahmad and Ola.

Awards and distinctions

Légion d'honneur, awarded by the French President Jacques Chirac, 2003.
The "Agha Khan" Award, in recognition for the reconstruction of The Big Omary Mosque, 1989.
Lebanese Cedar Award, Lieutenant rank, in recognition for services in Social and Cultural fields, 1989.
The "Golden Apple" Award from the World Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers.
Honorary Doctorate from the American University of Science and Technology, 2010.