Rafik Hariri Foundation was founded in Lebanon as a nonprofit institution to realize the dream of his Excellency P.M. Rafik Hariri and in response to the national need that resulted from the civil war. The primary mission of the foundation was to provide education as a means for the development of the Lebanese youth regardless of their religious or geographical belonging. The Foundation first started in Sidon 1979 under the name of ?The Islamic Institute for Culture and Higher Education?. In 1984, the Foundation carried its current name and the main offices were moved to Beirut. In order to facilitate loans, the foundation extended its services to cover different Lebanese regions in Tripoli, Bekaa, in addition to Sidon. In an attempt to remain in close contact with its student prot?g?s who joined universities in Western Europe, North Africa, Canada and USA, Rafik Hariri Foundation opened offices in Paris, London and Washington.