“On April 12th, 60 of Basil’s colleagues and friends gathered in New York at the Riverside Church near Columbia University to pray for strength and courage for Basil. The service was arranged and presided over by Rev. James Fitzgerald, the Riverside Church Minister for Social Peace and Justice. He spoke movingly about how Basil and his work are what stand between ‘the rest of us’ and ‘the forces of evil’.
All of Basil’s contemporaries from the Economics department at Columbia University attended, as did Dean Pinkerton of the Graduate School for Arts and Sciences. Some of the attendees traveled from Hong Kong and Washington, D.C.
Basil’s dissertation adviser at Columbia, Prof. Ronald Findlay, spoke about Basil’s keen intellect and ability to implement policy. He spoke about the positive influence Basil’s policies have had in Lebanon and about how they may serve as a model for the Middle East.
Rabih Khoury, the President of the New York Chapter for AUB Alumni spoke, as did his friend Stacia Hachem. All of those attending were grateful for the shared prayers for Basil and spoke of the need to continue to gather together to pray for him. It was good to have each other’s support and offer more to Yasma and Basil.”
Basil was one of the most brilliant students of his generation at Columbia. He is a perfect example of an academic who did not use his knowledge merely for self-aggrandizement but rather put all his intellectual capabilities in the service of his war-torn country.
May he recover soon. Men like Basil are badly needed in Lebanon.
Posted by: Karim Emile Bitar | April 17, 2005 at 10:41 PM
Oh God, I am so very very sorry......... May Basil rest in peace and give you Yasma, and you Rida and you Ramzi and all his family and friends strength and courage.
With all my love,
Lina Mikdadi Hamade
Posted by: Lina Mikdadi Hamade | April 18, 2005 at 04:56 PM
May Dr. Fuleihan rest in peace.
I extend my deepest condolences to the Fuleihan family.
His memory will live on, and he will continue to inspire generations of Lebanese economists.
Fadi Kanaan
MIT Sloan School of Management
Posted by: Fadi Kanaan | April 18, 2005 at 05:24 PM
May his soul rest in peace and may his eyes watch us from above... with pride and with anticipation.
Loai Naamani
President, Lebanese Club at MIT
Posted by: Loai Naamani | April 18, 2005 at 08:14 PM
Di3anak Basil,
ALLAH yer7amak,
From New York to Beirut, one heart, same pain, same hope...always in mind.
May your soul rest in peace.
Antoine Faisal,
New York.
Posted by: Antoine Faisal | April 19, 2005 at 10:51 PM