Funeral Oration for the Late Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani at Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Al-Ahliyya Amman University held at Arena Cultural Theatre, on Monday 29/02/2016, a funeral oration for the late Dr. Ahmad Mefleh Al-Hourani, which was attended by a number of ministers, senates, a members of the Representatives House, investors, economists, businessmen, and artists, as well as a number of Dr. Al-Hourani's friends, relatives, and loved ones. The funeral oration began by reading verses from the Holy Qur’an followed by a presentation of a documentary film about the life of Dr. Al-Hourani, his career path, and some of his sayings. The funeral oration included a number of influential words delivered by his friends and his family, who expressed their sad and missing feelings of such a great person and friend. Dr. Ayed Mefleh Al-Hourani, the younger brother of the late Dr. Al-Hourani, talked about his brother upbringing, education, and biography including the late brother's work, ambitions, achievements, and investment projects. Dr. Ayed concluded his word by stating his strong relationship with the late Dr. Ahmad, may Allah bless him with mercy, as a father, a brother, a friend, and an inspiration. Dr. Ayed cited some sayings of the late Dr. Ahmad such as “Having money is much easier than managing money,” and “Don’t question your junior staff about minor issues, rather hold them accountable for their outcomes . A speech by His Excellency Mr. Mohammad Saleh Al-Hourani, the Securities Commission President and a close friend for the late Dr. Ahmad, was delivered; he talked about his relationship with the late that was started at the Central Bank and continued afterwards, in addition, he spoke about the unique character and the deceased principles, his ambition, his thinking depth, his abilities to foresee the future and make the right decisions at the right time , such as establishing a pioneering university. Prof. Sadeq Hamed also spoke about of the late Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani as one of the Arab figures who founded this scientific edifice, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, which is a beacon of knowledge, excellence, and giving. Dr. Sadeq also noted that the University staff and students will always miss the deceased who expanded and developed this University. HE. Dr. Ziad Freiz, Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, added “The great man will always be remembered by his friends and loved ones. Many of the late persons were always being alive in our hearts and memories through their deeds.” Moreover, he spoke about the different phases of the deceased life and his struggle to achieve his goals. Mr. Maher Ahmad Al-Hourani, the eldest son of the deceased and Vice Chairman of the Directors’ Board at the University, welcomed the attendees and praised those who paid their speeches and said: “The late Dr. Ahmad was a pioneer figure in the field of science and in other fields. He set an example of love and care...he was our mentor, and we have learned from him that failure in a project does not mean failure in the whole life, and that it is important to achieve success in life as a whole than achieve success in a certain project.” Mr. Maher also quoted the words of the late Dr. Ahmad in a thought he wrote titled “Life between the Near Future and the Distant Past”, where he said: “The more realistic and needed the chosen work is, the more guaranteed success is. My advice to the younger generation is to be realistic and practical and not to pursue illusions resulted in loss and regret. If a person fails at some stage in his life or fails to achieve any of his goals, he should not grieve or lose hope and he must put in his mind that what does not break you makes you stronger.” Mr. Maher also greeted his brother, Dr. Omar Al-Hourani, for his honorable efforts and attitudes, and he announced the launch of two awards: the first was the “International Award of the Late Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani for Entrepreneurship and Scientific Research.” and the second was “The Late Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani’s Award for Scientific Research at Al-Ahliyya Amman University.” Mr. Maher thanked the attendees for their support in this great loss and wished that Allah protects them and blesses them with a life full of dignity, pride, and happiness. HE. Abdul Karim Al-Kabariti (Chairman of the Trustees Board at the University) commiserated the late Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani with influential words, where he said: “He was precious as the soil of Palestine. How can suffering live in the heart of a great man such as Dr. Al-Hourani? How can pain steal the life of a knight such as Al-Hourani, an icon of glory achievement ... schools and university generate education, excellence, and glory. How your dreams can come true? ... What else can anyone ask for. He also added: “Oh, my friend. I lived and experienced your vitality and pride, your symphonic voice, your anger and intimidation... you are like sea, waves, flood... generous when right is and stubborn when falsehood. You believe in love, caring, and goodness for everybody and you cannot tolerate hate, hesitation, cowardice, laziness, lies, or greed. Be determined and a decision maker as hesitation ruin the good thoughts. One thinks that you are heartless like a mountain that is not affected by earthquakes. Once I asked you: Did you cry Dr. Ahmad before? You laughed and said: Maybe I did when I was born, Dr. Ahmad added: there is moment… when you feel that time stops… the moment of the last breath, where secrecy accompanies declaration... and heart accompanies eye and tongue... then truth become crystal clear. At that day, Dr. Ahmad was sitting next to me in a car and we were on our way to a wedding. He always was fearful of my driving and did not trust me in that, then I suddenly barked, he was terrified and revolted his anger and said: “Oh... Man! Who taught you driving? I said: “My father,” he replied: “Then...... I am leaving now.” He left the car and walked. I laughed and told him: Dr. You know what, when my father gets angry, he used to sing a song.... and you are like my father, why don’t you sing for me? He smiled and said: really! How about a drum playing too...! Then, after a moment of silence he said: By the way, what was your father's song? Then I sang my father song, which was a Bedouin song: Oh you Zionist, what do you want from us? Get out of our country or we will kill you.” His eyes were full of tears since I mentioned Palestine because it was always in his heart. Yes, he did not live in Palestine, but it lived in his heart, immortal in his conscience. Dr. Ahmad was moving from the study of Palestine wheat to the study of poverty where he expanded his outlooks. He did read that geniuses and great people were of those who lived in tents and huts and suffer from hunger and poverty…He concluded his addressing, saying: “Sleep well, Dr. Ahmad, under the great throne, Allah Almighty said: Oh, your serene soul, come back to your Lord well-pleased (with Him) and well-pleasing (Him).Oh. Doctor, on you return trip to the higher skies, please pass by the walls of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque ... and say, Allah the Greatest, Allah the Greatest, we are coming back, we are coming back, Allah's promise shall never be broken. We are to Allah and to Him we shall return - those have prayers and mercy from Allah, and those who are the righteous. I give my greetings to Al-Hourani family, my friends, honorable attendees, and my reverence, respect and peace to all of you.Many speeches were addressed to the late Dr. Al-Hourani, including the word of attorney - Andre Huwari - and the word of Dr. Hassan Barmawi - the Jordanian Consul of the Bulgaria Republic - who spoke about the deceased investments in Bulgaria, which formed a great value and served the Bulgarian society. The funeral oration also included commiseration poems from the students Muhannad Abu-Rumman and Mohammed Otoum, in addition to hosting of Jamal Abdul Hamid - the Director of the Emperor Series - who gave a short speech about the late Dr. Ahmad. The funeral oration was attended by a number of famous actors, including the star Baha’ Tharwat, who embodied the life of Dr. Ahmad in a dramatic series of his struggle, achievement, and ambitions. The funeral oration was presented by the Director of Public and International Relations Department at the University, Ms. Enas Al-Hourani - daughter of the late - who made exclusive interviews with friends recalling his honorable life of achievements.