Late Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi, CEO of Al Arab Publishing House and a believer in freedom and the genuineness of Arab identity. (The Arab Weekly)
The journalist, the mentor, the guide, the friend and the best human being I have ever known, Dr Haitham El-Zobaidi has passed away. Saturday's news of his passing was not shocking because over the span of the last five years, he had spoken to me about his disease, the fatigue, the pain and the weight loss. Actually, the news was not shocking but rather devastating and shattering to the point of disbelief, though I knew, and he made sure I was prepared.
For me, Dr Haitham or Dr H, like I used to call him at times to gently annoy him, was a superman, a saviour and a knight in shining armour, the kind of hero, who has been here and will always be here, for me and for all those, who loved him and whom he loved, in return. He was generous, a good listener, and always ready to help everyone, literally every single person.
But, "this is life. We need to stay strong as long as it lasts," to borrow his words.
When I began my career, I was in my 20s, a young lady, with no experience, little skill and absolutely no idea about the bigger world, the world of politics, technologies and international affairs. I knocked at almost every door at that time, but alas. I had neither acquaintances nor contacts. Then, an opportunity came for a job interview with Al Arab and when no one offered me a chance, Mr Mohammed Houni courageously stepped in and extended a hand for me to begin my journey with Al Arab Publishing House. My mentor at the time was Mr Ali Kassem, the mentor of mentors, as I have always loved to call him . He taught me the basics of journalism and a whole set of skills: How to write a good article, how to read the news, how to develop an analytical and critical spirit.
Over my first years at Al Arab, Mr Houni and Mr Kassem, through their support and steady encouragement, turned the young lady with no experience at all into someone more confident and surely more independent, when it comes to views and positions. They helped me become who I am today and gave me a voice when few men across our Arab region, even today, do give a woman a voice.
In a few words, Al Arab Publishing House, since the days of the founder the late Haj Ahmed Salhine El Houni, has been not my work place but my home and refuge, a second family, a family that I chose again and again because no place in the world, even better or more prosperous, feels like home.
And if I am speaking extensively about Al Arab today, I do so because I know how much it meant for Dr Haitham. It was his home and his refuge too. It was a dream come true.