**A Creative and Great Soul from Egypt**

The melody is sorrowful, the strings are wounded, weeping tears upon their branches.

The king of the cello has departed, having given generously of his gifts.

Egypt mourns, shedding a bountiful tear for one of its own, a towering figure in the realm of music and creativity.

How can a musician, who caressed the strings with his melodies and enchanted angels with his voice, leave this world?

How can such diamond-like fingers be buried beneath the earth?

How can an artist of such immense value, one whose greatness will never be repeated, simply vanish?

Poetry, melody, and music stand bewildered. What can be done? Where has he gone?

Oh, great maestro! Oh, towering figure! Oh, creative genius who ascended to the world of glory.

How could you leave this fleeting world without saying goodbye?

How can we continue this arduous journey without you?

Ah, maestro… how we mourn your passing.

You have left behind a void that can never be filled or compensated.

You were always a model of fatherhood, mentorship, and loyal friendship to me. I am so proud of this strong, sincere, and unwavering bond filled with loyalty.

You were the one who shared my sorrows and pains and the first to proudly celebrate my successes.

I have learned so much from you, and I cherished your invaluable guidance. I also thank you for your precious time and valuable efforts.

What shall we do now, maestro?

We were working together to ensure the success of the tribute concert for the Star of the East, Ms. Umm Kulthum, at the Australian Parliament.

How happy you were about it! You worked and planned passionately for its success, honoring a dignified lady who gave art an unparalleled value.

I promise you, my dear friend, that I will continue this journey as you knew me, and I will work diligently to ensure the success of the concert that was to be adorned by your remarkable presence.

I promise you, maestro, that I will adhere to your precious guidance and follow your noble footsteps to preserve poetry, heritage, and music.

Your spirit in the world of art will always be with me, a loyal friend and a noble guardian of the trust you placed in my hands.

And now! Oh maestro, as your weary body finds rest and your sorrowful spirit is revived in the embrace of your beloved son, Medhat, I ask you for something, fully confident that you will fulfill this request with all sincerity.

Please ask the Almighty God to crush death and bury it forever, for it is filled with treachery, malice, and deceit, stealing our dearest ones without permission and with utter selfishness.

On the other side of this unjust world, beyond the white clouds, where you now dwell without sorrow or tears, I ask you, maestro, to convey my love to my mother, father, and Vanessa, saying to them: I miss you all so much.

Look down on us from the heavens, my noble friend, oh gifted and creative musician, and pray for us.

May God have mercy on you and grant you a place in His vast paradise.

**Christ has risen, truly risen.**

**Dr. Bahia (Betty) Abou-Hamad-OAM – FANZCN**
Founder, Lawyer, Public Notary, Ambassador for Peace – UPF
Ambassador for Culture and Arabic Heritage in Australia – DC ACT

**ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF POETRY AND HERITAGE**