Rectorate
Beirut
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Fr. Salim Daccache takes over the direction of Dar el Machreq and USJ Press
Intellectual & Cultural Portal
Fr.
Salim Daccache
Jesuit · Educator · Academic · Author · Publisher · Photographer
Rector of Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
"
« L'université est une mission avant d'être une institution. »
Fr. Salim Daccache S.J. · 2023
30+
Books
500+
Articles
80K
Photographs
14+
Years as Rector
Rector · USJ · 2012–2026
Journey
Biography
Jesuit · Educator · Philosopher · Academic
Born in Lebanon, Fr. Salim Daccache entered Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, where he earned his licence in philosophy in 1973. Drawn to the Jesuit vocation, he joined the Society of Jesus and moved to Paris to deepen his theological and philosophical formation.
His doctoral thesis at the Sorbonne — on the Kalām of Abu Mansur al-Maturidi — reveals a thinker at the crossroads of Islam and Christianity, devoted to the dialogue of civilisations. A second doctorate, in educational sciences at Strasbourg, attests to the breadth of a plural intellectual vocation.
"School is not only a place of learning — it is a social microcosm where pluralism and living together are either forged or broken."
Licence in Philosophy
Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth · 1973
Master's in Theology & Philosophy
Centre Sèvres, Jesuit Faculties of Paris · 1983
Doctorate — Letters & Philosophy
Université Panthéon-Sorbonne I · 1988
The Kalām of Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (10th c.)
Doctorate — Educational Sciences
Université de Strasbourg · 2011
School pluralism in Lebanon
Educational mission & Ignatian spirituality
Having entered the Society of Jesus, Fr. Daccache embodies the Ignatian tradition of service to faith, justice and culture. His priestly life is closely bound to education, research and interreligious dialogue.
His educational vision rests on a Christian humanist ideal: the university as a place of mission, the transmission of knowledge as an act of faith, and intellectual engagement as a form of contemplative prayer.
50+
Years of Jesuit service
1875
Founding of USJ
"
Even in the most critical circumstances, cultural and intellectual resilience is not a luxury — it is the essential instrument for overcoming the challenges of our time.
Fr. Salim Daccache S.J. · 2023
01
Islamic philosophy
10th-century Kalām · Abu Mansur al-Maturidi · Medieval intellectual exchange
02
Syriac spirituality
Eastern Christian heritage · Translations from Syriac · John of Dalyatha
03
Lebanese education
School pluralism · Values & citizenship · Multi-confessional systems
04
Interreligious dialogue
Director of GLADIC · Muslim–Christian relations · Peace and civilisations
1973
Licence in philosophy — USJ Beirut
The beginning of an unbroken bond with Université Saint-Joseph.
1983
Master's in Theology & Philosophy — Centre Sèvres, Paris
1988
Doctorate — Panthéon-Sorbonne I
Thesis on the Kalām of Abu Mansur al-Maturidi.
1989–2009
Rector — Collège Notre-Dame de Jamhour
Twenty years at the head of one of Lebanon's largest Jesuit schools (4,000 pupils).
1990 — present
Editor-in-chief — Al-Machriq Review
The oldest Arabic cultural review of the Society of Jesus.
2008–2012
Dean — Faculty of Religious Sciences, USJ
2010–2012
Director — Institute of Oriental Letters, USJ
2011
Doctorate in Educational Sciences — Université de Strasbourg
2012–2026
Rector — Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth
Leading USJ through the gravest crises in Lebanon's contemporary history.
2016 — present
Board member — International Association of Universities (IAU)
2020 — present
President — Association of Lebanese Universities
2026 — present
Director — Dar el Machreq & USJ Press
Bibliography
Publications
A monumental body of work spanning Islamic philosophy, Muslim–Christian dialogue, Lebanese education and Syriac spirituality.
01
Philosophy · 1988 · French
The Problem of Creation in the Kalām of Abu Mansur al-Maturidi
A doctoral thesis on 10th-century Islamic theological thought — the founding work of his academic career.
Panthéon-SorbonneDetails
02
Education · 2013 · French
Pluralism, Living Together and Citizenship in Lebanon
A comparative study of the aims and values of Lebanon's Christian, Muslim and secular schools.
L'Harmattan · 2013Details
03
Spirituality · Arabic
The Spiritual Retreat for Retreatants — Germanos Farhat
Publication and translation of the retreat guide compiled by Bishop Germanos Farhat.
Arabic heritageDetails
04
Dialogue · Translation
Epistle on the Trinity — Abu Raitah al-Takriti
Publication and critical introduction to this founding text of Muslim–Christian exchange.
Scholarly translationDetails
05
Syriac spirituality
Spiritual Letters & Homilies of John of Dalyatha
A translation from the Syriac of the mystical writings of the 8th-century saint.
Syriac translationDetails
"
« L'université est une mission avant d'être une institution. »
Fr. Salim Daccache S.J. · 2023
Over 1,000 texts
Addresses & Lectures
Archives · Homilies · Interviews · Public interventions
Rectoral Addresses
Official addresses at USJ and Collège de Jamhour — ceremonies, opening days, graduations.
Academic Lectures
Papers given at international colloquia, universities worldwide and scientific congresses.
Homilies & Meditations
Preaching, liturgical homilies and spiritual meditations in various Christian communities.
Public Interventions
Speaking in the Lebanese and international public sphere — media, forums, Council of Europe.
Interviews
Interviews given to print and broadcast media (L'Orient-Le Jour, international outlets…).
1 000+
archived texts
A database searchable by date, place and theme
Intellectual vision
Thought & Major Themes
Each theme gathers texts, lectures and quotations that distil one dimension of Fr. Daccache's thought.
01
Education & University
The university as mission, the school as social microcosm, school pluralism in Lebanon.
Explore02
Muslim–Christian Dialogue
The intellectual history of relations between Islam and Christianity, Kalām thought, GLADIC.
Explore03
Arab Christian Culture
Syriac spirituality, Eastern heritage, the Arabic language and Christian identity in Lebanon.
Explore04
Lebanese Identity
Citizenship, living together, confessional diversity, crisis and resilience in Lebanon.
Explore05
Humanism & Spirituality
Integral human formation, the Ignatian tradition, hope and contemplation.
Explore06
Book & Culture
Publishing as a cultural act — Al-Machriq, Dar el Machreq, a personal library online.
Explore07
Islamic Philosophy
10th-century Kalām, al-Maturidi, medieval intellectual exchange between East and West.
ExploreThrough the lens · 80,000 photographs
Photography
For decades Fr. Daccache has captured the light of Lebanon — its villages, its monasteries and the majesty of its mountain landscapes.
Lights of Lebanon · Main collection
Mountains & Villages
Stones & Memory
Spiritual Paths
Autumn Landscapes
Trees · Flowers · Seasons
Natural light
Churches · Monasteries · Lebanese heritage — gallery to come
Photographs from international travels — gallery to come
University life · USJ · Jamhour — gallery to come
The Photographer
With an archive of more than 80,000 photographs, Fr. Daccache is an accomplished photographer. His eye captures the particular light of Lebanon, the faces of its people, the serenity of its monasteries and the majesty of its mountain landscapes.
80 000
Photographs
6
Collections
30+
Years of practice
Artistic selections
Lights of Lebanon
Mountains and Villages
Stones and Memory
Spiritual Paths
Exhibitions
Exhibition catalogue — to be completed
Roles & Affiliations
Rector, USJ Beirut
Society of Jesus
Director of GLADIC
Editor of Al-Machriq
IAU member
Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie
Council of Europe
Normandy for Peace
Director of Dar el Machreq
USJ Press
President — Lebanese Universities