The extraordinary Ghassan Tueni

It has been four years since Ghassan Tueni passed away. We remember him whenever we search for passion in life. He was distinguished in everything he did, taught and worked toward. He was passionate throughout his entire life.

Tueni was not an ordinary journalist, as he contributed to the renaissance of Lebanese journalism. History will mark this achievement. His work was not limited to an-Nahar newspaper, as he gave Lebanese journalism glamor, and was one of the few to give it glory.

Tueni was not an ordinary diplomat, as he helped Lebanon attain UN Security Council Resolution 425, which paved the way for Israel’s withdrawal from south Lebanon. He resisted Israeli and international pressures, achieving a great moral victory for Lebanon.

He was not an ordinary politician, as he took to the streets to protest with teachers and students when he was education minister. He never felt he belonged to a category of politicians that is indifferent to people’s concerns, or that makes empty promises during electoral seasons. He felt their worries, wrote about them and defended them.

He was not an ordinary publisher, as most publishers enter the publishing business to make money. Tueni carefully chose his headlines, and presented many of Dar an-Nahar’s works as a gift to his family and fans. He used to brag that he adopted new, unknown talents and published their first works.

Passion

He did not feel it was a burden when Bishop Elias Audi tasked him with the responsibility of the committee for restoring St George’s Cathedral in Beirut. Tueni considered it a responsibility that expressed his faith, which remained strong despite the difficulties he went through. He was passionate about all the cathedral’s details, and was always happy to take his friends there to tell them about the restoration phases and urge them to donate.

Tueni was also an active member of the national museum committee, unlike most of its members. He was involved in all details alongside former first lady Mona Hrawi, head of the committee, as he was passionate about heritage.

He was the first journalist to dedicate a page to the environment and heritage in his daily. The page reported about archaeological discoveries in downtown Beirut, and lobbied against burying them or tampering with them.

This is a little about him, but no matter how much is said, it will not be enough. Although life was often unjust to him, his unwavering faith distinguished him, and his extensive knowledge, diplomacy and morals made him an extraordinary man. May you rest in peace, grandfather.

This article was first published in an-Nahar on Jun. 08, 2016.
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Nayla Tueni is one of the few elected female politicians in Lebanon and of the two youngest. She became a member of parliament in 2009 and following the assassination of her father, Gebran, she is currently a member of the board and Deputy General Manager of Lebanon’s leading daily, Annahar. Prior to her political career, Nayla had trained, written in and managed various sections of Annahar, where she currently has a regular column. She can be followed on Twitter @NaylaTueni