Maria Maalouf, Senior Media Fellow

Maria Maalouf was born in Zahle, Lebanon and belongs to a family that has effectively collaborated in the intellectual and literary life in Lebanon and the Arab World. She has been intensely affected by the cultural and intellectual product of various familial authors, literary writers, and politicians at home and overseas.

Maria finished her secondary studies at the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. She then joined the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Lebanese University. She completed her MA thesis entitled “The Political History of the Hrawis in Recognition of the Late President Elias Hrawi”, and received her diploma under the title of “The Abolition of Political Sectarianism between Supporters and Opponents”.

Her written works include: “A Woman Looking for a Home”, “The Political History of the Hrawis and her book “The Tunisian Woman: The Age of Challenges”.

She prepared and presented the political program “Bila Rakib” on New TV, which hosted more than 1,400 Arab and Western presidents, ministers, and prime ministers for over 150 episodes. She also presented this program on Libya Mediterranean Channel. Another program she presented was “With Maria Maalouf” on the Lebanese television network NBN. In addition, she presented an Arab political program on the Egyptian El Mehwar TV Network. And now she present pioneers from USA show also program vision on Saudi 24 tv channel.

Maria is the owner of Dar Al Khaleej Printing and Publishing that issues The Gulf Mirror (Meraat Al Khalij), an economic, social, and cultural magazine, as well as Banko, a magazine concerned with banks and other media and advertising activities. She is also the owner of another daily, Lebanese, political newspaper called The Pioneers (Al Rouwad), which was first issued in 1932 and has been issued weekly since 2011. Arrouwad newspaper has also been issued electronically since 2007, delivering breaking news about the latest updates in both regional and international arenas.

She was the first Lebanese journalist to have met with President Obama after his election, as well as with other business men and women from different parts of the world.

She is an advocate for women’s, family, and human rights, and has participated in seminars and forums on these issues.

Maria Maalouf holds numerous shields and medals, some of which are: - shield of Oman’s council – Sultanate of Oman - medal of the state of Maryland – United States - medal of Lebanon for press and media - honorary shield from the Youth of Rashmaya - shield of the Arab-European Center of Human Rights in recognition for her efforts in defending Austria’s liberty - honorary and appreciative shield from the Cedar National Movement of Lebanon