About the association

My name is Saïd Hamed.

I am a general practitioner (family doctor) and entrepreneur with Lebanese roots, and I feel deeply connected to both the Netherlands and Lebanon.

Throughout my career as a doctor, I have learned that you have to look beyond the medical issue. For me, it is about seeing the person in front of me, understanding their background and circumstances, and finding solutions that genuinely make a difference. Over the years, I have worked with people from many different cultural backgrounds, including asylum seekers, refugees and I have been involved in developing and organising healthcare services.

The Lebanese community in the Netherlands is very close to my heart. We have a rich culture, strong family values, and so much knowledge, experience, talent, and entrepreneurship within our community. I believe there is great potential when we bring all of this together and support one another.

That is what I would like to contribute to: connecting people and generations, creating opportunities for our youth, bringing professionals and entrepreneurs together, and keeping our connection with Lebanon alive. At the same time, I want our Lebanese community to be visible, engaged, and actively involved in Dutch society.

For me, it is ultimately about unity and action. Not only talking about what we could do, but bringing people together, taking initiative, supporting one another, and turning ideas into action.

Alone we are strong. Together, we are unbreakable.

I am Rafael Al Alam, born in the village of Rmeish in southern Lebanon. I emigrated to the Netherlands in 1991 and have worked as a self-employed entrepreneur ever since. I am married, the father of three daughters, and currently serve as a Duty Manager at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

I love my homeland, Lebanon, and I also deeply appreciate the Netherlands, a country that has provided me with many opportunities. Therefore, I believe in everything that brings people together and support all initiatives that strengthen the ties between the two countries and contribute to their mutual prosperity and well-being.

Ali Hojeij is a finance and risk management professional with more than 18 years of international experience spanning banking, audit, compliance, financial crime prevention, and product management.

Ali currently serves as a Product Manager for Financial Economic Crime at Rabobank, he leads strategic initiatives focused on innovation, automation, and the application of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence within transaction monitoring.

Throughout his career, Ali has held senior leadership roles across Europe and the Middle East, building a strong track record in governance, financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder management.

Holding an MBA from the Lebanese American University and industry-recognized professional Anti Money Laundering certifications, Ali brings a combination of strategic insight, financial discipline, and operational excellence to his role as Treasurer, where he is committed to safeguarding the association’s financial integrity and supporting its long-term growth and sustainability.

I believe a community is what makes a place feel like home. For Lebanese living in the Netherlands, it means having people who understand where we come from, stand by us in difficult moments, share our joys, and keep our culture and traditions alive.

My own experience taught me how important compassion, empathy and human connection are. I spent over 15 years with the Judicial Police of the Internal Security Forces in Lebanon, and I am currently a Forensic DNA Expert with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) in The Hague for human identification and missing persons investigations.

I am happy to bring my experience and energy to help build a Lebanese community where we feel connected, supported and a little closer to home.

I continue to see myself as a student in the journey of life, as itself is the greatest school, offering endless experiences, lessons, and opportunities for growth.

I completed my studies in Journalism and Political Science and have built my professional experience across various media platforms, including print, television, and radio.

I also have extensive experience in social and political engagement. I am currently the President and Founder of Power of Youth, an association based in Lebanon. In the Netherlands, I work with the Municipality of Meierijstad on social integration programmes supporting newcomers as they establish themselves within Dutch society.

I strongly believe that “society is knowledge, and knowledge is power.” Knowledge enables meaningful and positive engagement, while true strength lies in preserving a social, cultural, and human fabric that creates space for connection, cooperation, and solidarity.

To me, a homeland is both a historical identity and a deeply rooted emotional and cultural value that extends far beyond geographical boundaries. Through our shared culture, values, and heritage, I see Lebanon reflected in every Lebanese person living abroad.

I hope that the Lebanese community in the Netherlands can serve as an intellectual, cultural, and social bridge connecting Lebanese people with one another. I envision it as a shared space where we can strengthen our identity, preserve our connection to our land and homeland, and together represent a model of the beautiful Lebanon we aspire to see.

For me, community is about bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging, especially when home is far away. As Lebanese living in the Netherlands, we share more than our roots, we share a culture, memories, traditions, and a natural desire to support one another.

Throughout my professional journey, I have worked with people from different backgrounds and cultures, building connections, bringing people around common goals, and helping organisations grow and work better together. But beyond professional experience, I believe the most valuable thing we can bring to a community is our time, our ideas, and our willingness to be there for one another.

Through the Lebanese Association, I hope to contribute to building an active and welcoming community, one that brings Lebanese people together, celebrates our culture and identity, supports newcomers and families, and creates meaningful connections with the wider Dutch community.

A little piece of Lebanon, here in the Netherlands.

Who am I?

I am a caring and people-oriented person who enjoys listening to others and standing by people when they are going through difficult times. I have been living in the Netherlands for more than 40 years and have always been willing to help others, including on a voluntary basis alongside my professional work.

For many years, I worked as a manager in the metal industry. However, I eventually chose to follow my heart and my true calling. I decided to use my experience and commitment to support people, which led me to my current work as a community-based support worker.

My Lebanese background and my life in the Netherlands have taught me how to connect people and cultures. I believe in humanity, respect, trust, and helping one another.

To me, true connection begins with genuine attention to the person behind the story.