Lebanese singer Fayrouz’s second son dies just months after his brother
Lebanese singer Fayrouz’s second son dies just months after his brother/node/2628682/lifestyle
Lebanese singer Fayrouz’s second son dies just months after his brother
Lebanese veteran singer Fayrouz receives condolences during the funeral of her son, musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, at Mhaidseh’s Greek Orthodox Church of Dormition in Bikfaya in Mount Lebanon, north east of Beirut, July 28, 2025. (File / AFP)
Lebanese singer Fayrouz’s second son dies just months after his brother
Hali Rahbani’s passing described as ‘painful loss’ to family
Elder brother, composer Ziad, died in July last year
Updated 08 January 2026
Arab News
LONDON: Hali Rahbani, the son of renowned Lebanese singer Fayrouz and her late husband, composer Assi Rahbani, has died at the age of 68.
Lebanon’s Minister of Information Paul Morcos announced the news on X. He described it as a “painful loss for a family that has given Lebanon and the world an invaluable artistic and humanitarian legacy.”
Rahbani’s death comes less than six months after his brother, Ziad, the acclaimed composer and playwright, died at the age of 69.
Hali, who had physical and intellectual disabilities, was confined to a wheelchair and was cared for by his mother. He was last seen in public in July at his brother’s funeral in Beirut, which was attended by thousands of mourners.
Fayrouz, 91, had four children with Rahbani. The elder of her two daughters, Layal, died in 1988 at the age of 29. Her second daughter, Rima, born in 1965, is an artist and singer.
The Rahbani family were key figures in Lebanon’s golden era of musical theater from the late 1950s to 1975.
Fady Jameel awarded Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters
Updated 50 min ago
Arab News
DUBAI: Fady Jameel, chair of Saudi Arabia’s Art Jameel and vice chairman, international, at Abdul Latif Jameel, has been awarded the title of Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Ministry of Culture.
The Order of Arts and Letters is one of France’s highest cultural honors and is awarded to individuals whose work has contributed to the enrichment of arts and culture in France and internationally.
The ceremony took place in Paris last week and was led by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, with cultural figures from the arts and cinema sectors in attendance.
Jameel said the honor reflected the collective efforts of his family and partners in advancing cultural initiatives, building on a philanthropic legacy that began in Jeddah eight decades ago. (Supplied)
Jameel’s recognition comes in acknowledgment of the Jameel family’s long-standing philanthropic engagement, including more than 80 years of charitable work and over two decades of arts-focused initiatives led by Art Jameel across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and internationally.
Art Jameel, founded by the Jameel family, supports artists, institutions and creative communities through exhibitions, grants, research, education and public programs. Its work has included projects that encourage cultural exchange and collaboration between the Middle East and Europe, including France.
In remarks following the ceremony, Jameel said the honor reflected the collective efforts of his family and partners in advancing cultural initiatives, building on a philanthropic legacy that began in Jeddah eight decades ago.
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture of France and our colleagues at the French Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia and wish to express my appreciation to colleagues and partners, in both the private and government sectors, for their continued support and encouragement of the cultural sector,” he said in a released statement.
“From Islamic art, craft and artisanship through to the most contemporary and innovative of practices, at Art Jameel we really believe in the role of the arts in transforming lives — a value we place at the heart of what we do daily,” Jameel continued. “Looking ahead, Art Jameel remains committed to strengthening a robust art ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond, through piloting new initiatives that support students, creatives and wider public engagement with the arts, alongside nurturing international exchange.”
