20 February 2005

Paris
Basil's condition remains critical and stable. Under the circumstances, this is probably all we can hope for at this stage and we pray that he continues to be as resilient as he has been this past week.

Yasma, auntie Rida and Ramsay have been touched by the number of people who have come to Paris to support them -- so many that the hospital didn't know what hit them. The hospital has now severely restricted the number of visitors allowed in. Many of you have been considering coming to Paris to stand by their side, but given the restrictions at the hospital it is unlikely that you will be granted access.

Beirut
A service was held at the Wardiyeh church in Ras Beirut today in memory of PM Hariri and to pray for Basil's well-being. This is from someone who attended the service:

The church was full to the rafters with additional seats in the passageways and people standing inside and out.The young priest gave an inspiring sermon revolving around Faith, Hope and Love. Both readings, from the epistles (St.Paul to the Romans) and the Gospel, seemed to have been written for us especially today in Lebanon. They convey the peace and trust which we all need as we pray for Basil and his family.

Comments

[Ibrahim Mardam-Bey]

I knew Basil as an aquaintance, yet I knew enough of him to know he is a special person. I pray that he has a full recovery from his injuries. His family freinds and his country needs him today more than ever.

[Marwan]

Dear Dr. Fleihan,

I hope you will feel well very soon.

Marwan (a previous Economics student of yours)

[The Naifeh's from Majreyoun]

We knew Basil when he was with UNDP in the 1990s and then as Minister of Finance and after as Minister of Economy and Trade - He is special person
Basil is in our prayers every second of the day. We are still in shock and cannot believe what happened. Our promise to you is to keep Basil's dream alive and strong. May God be with him and help him return back to his family and friends that will never forget him as long as we are living.

God please help Basil Fuleihan.

[Aida Abdul-Samad]

Dear Rida and Family:

Just to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. May God have mercy on us and touch our beloved Basil with His healing hand.

Aida

[vassily & jenny kokozaki]

Hope that you'll get better very soon.
God bless you.

[Said & Janine Freiha]

We miss you Basil. We miss your humour, wit and optimism.
Lebanon needs your humanity and tolerance.
Fight and prove to us that the human spirit is stronger than traitorous bombs and cowardly plots.
Fight for Yasma, Rayna and Rayan.
We are praying for your recovery.

[rana and diego brasioli]

We pray for the full recovery of Basil.
He is a man of courage and strenght and we hope that he will overcome this difficult moment.
We are very close to his family and all his friend.
Rana and Diego Brasioli (former counsellor at the Italian Embassy in Beirut) - Los Angeles 21.02.2005

[Bassem & Rima Maamari]

Dear Bassil and Yasma,
We know how shocking the event was, but we also believe that Faith in God and in the future can do Miracles.
May God give you strength, courage, and patience.
You are all in our prayers day and night. God Bless You

Jeddah, Feb 22, 2005

[Hana and Nabil Yamout]

I know Bassil since 1994. I was lucky enough to work under his supervision for a long period of time. I know how hard he worked for the country.

He is a person whom I love and respect. It is difficult to express the deep sorrow I feel.

My wife Hana, my kids and I pray to be with us again very soon. May God bless you and your family.

[Mohamad Chreif]

Dearest Dr. Fuleihan,

Although I worked for you for a small period of time at the PAO, yet I learned a lot from you. I learned how to keep smiling despite all worries and problems. I learned how to be modest and professional. I learned to keep faith and hope in the future. May God gives you the power and the blessings and gives your family the patience and courage. We are praying for you. Mohamad Chreif (Support to the Implementation of the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement)

[Michèle Abou-Saad]

Bien que je ne vous ai rencontré que quelque fois, j’ai l’impression de vous connaître depuis toujours. J’ai été marquée comme tant d’autres par votre personnalité, votre intelligence et surtout par votre sourire, votre amabilité, votre intégrité, et votre modestie que les plus hauts postes auxquels vous avez accédé n’ont pu ébranlé. Tenez bon, votre famille et surtout le Liban ont besoin de vous.
Mon Dieu écoutez nos prières et veillez sur le rétablissement de Basil.

[Michèle Abou-Saad]

Bien que je ne vous ai rencontré que quelque fois, j’ai l’impression de vous connaître depuis toujours. J’ai été marquée comme tant d’autres par votre personnalité, votre intelligence et surtout par votre sourire, votre amabilité, votre intégrité, et votre modestie que les plus hauts postes auxquels vous avez accédé n’ont pu ébranlé. Tenez bon, votre famille et surtout le Liban ont besoin de vous.
Mon Dieu écoutez nos prières et veillez sur le rétablissement de Basil.

[Leila Hatoum]

May Allah be with Mr. Bassel Fleihan, protecting and healing him.

[tracy kokozaki]

dear bassil,i don't know you personally ,in fact i don't know you at all because i'm 13 years old and i'm not into politics. but the momemt i heard about your condition ,i started to pray every day because i was so sure that you will be fine and i'm still very sure.you are the best think that happend in my life because from the moment i knew you,i started to believe in god more and more.i hope that you will be fine and i can't wait to hear the good news!i believe in you!
tracy

[Leila N. El-Khatib]

It is difficult to express the deep sorrow I feel, specially that my mom passed by similar situation and I know very well how much you are suffering .
May God be with you and help you return back to your family and friends , gives you the power and the blessings and also gives your family the patience and courage.
Everybody is praying for you. Love and respect

[Intissar Youness Al Khatib]

May God Bless your soul, heal you and brings you back to your normal shape. It was a great experience , but may God be with you and hope to heal you soon.All my prayer to save you and brings you back to your beloved family.
Leaving you with the Guard of Allah and his Blessing.
Intissar Youness Al Khatib

[منى]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
اللهم إني أدعوك بإسمك الكريم وجميع صفاتك العلى وأسمائك الحسنى بأن ترحم شهيدنا الكبير ورفاقه الأبرار وان تدخلهم جناتك جنات الخلد ، كما وإني لا أسألك رد القضاء ولكني أسألك اللطف في باسل فليحان يا مجيب الدعاء ، اللهم نجه يالله يا كريم ، وأن ترجعه إلى أهله وأولاده وبلده سالما معافى إن شالله

[Helen Khadige]

Dear Reda

You are always on my mind. I do pray for Bassel everytime for his recovery. Don't be afraid your son will be OK. May God Bless him and brings him back as soon as possible, we are waiting for him.
May God be with you.

[Lina Fuleihan Abi-Samra]

Dear Basil, Yasma, aunt Rida and Ramzi,

I just want you to know that there isn't one day that goes by without me thinking and praying for you all. I know that Basil is with us because of all the prayers that are going up for him and will continue... The same God who raised Lazarus from the dead is at work in Basil and I know that ultimately you will all have a great testimony to share. Meanwhile may He give you all the strength and courage to persevere as well as His peace through this enormous ordeal.
With all my love, Lina.

PS. My husband Bassam sends you all his best wishes hoping to meet you all soon.

[Mona]

الهنا وربنا يسوع، في هذا الصباح أطلب منك أيها المخلص و الطبيب ليس غيرك من يشفي للتمام، أطلب منك وبحرارة أن تمدّ يدك الشافية لكي يقوم باسل بكامل عافيته وصحته، ساعده يا رب لكي يتحمّل آلامه، دون نعمتك ورحمتك لن يستطيع الصمود. أرجوك ايّها الأله أن تشفق عليه وتعطيه الشفاء الكامل وأن تساعد الأطباء وتعطي العزاء والصبر لعائلته لكي تحتمل معه وأن يكون لها ملء الثقة بشخصك الحبيب، فيا أيها المخّلص استجب صلاة كل الأحباء خاصة في هذا الزمن تذكار آلامك وموتك وقيامتك ،لكي تكون قيامة حقيقية لباسل وعائلته وقيامة للوطن الجريح كما نسألك الراحة لأنفس الشهداء الّذين سقطوا يوم الكارثة ، كلّنا أمل بنعمتك ومحبتك . استجبنا يارب . آمين

[Mirey]

we are all praying for you to come back to Lebanon to ur country and to all the people who care about you and for ur daughter and ur wife. let god be with you

[Rania Naamani]

We are all praying for you. May GOD help you, recover you and bring you back to your country.

ALLAH YEHMEEK.