Memorial service for Al Mayadeen martyrs on Tuesday: Network CEO

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
23 Nov 2023 23:37

The chairman of the board of directors of Al Mayadeen Media Network, Ghassan Ben Jeddou, announces that the official memorial service for martyrs Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari will be on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the board of directors of Al Mayadeen, Ghassan Ben Jeddou, stands next to Rabih Me'mari's camera damaged by the very Israeli missile that martyred him, Beirut Lebanon, November 23, 2023 (Al Mayadeen)

The official memorial service for the martyred Al Mayadeen journalists, correspondent Farah Omar, and cameraman Rabih Me'mari will take place on Tuesday at the Al Mayadeen headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, at 2:30 pm al-Quds Time.

Ben Jeddou revealed that Al Mayadeen's Studio B was going to be called the Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari Studio after it was slated to be called the Jasmine Studio.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al Mayadeen Media Network, standing beside Me'mari's camera, underlined that the camera would stay on display, "standing tall as the martyr Rabih."

The damaged camera of Al Mayadeen cameraman Rabih Me'mari, who was killed in an Israeli strike, is seen at the Lebanese border village of Tayr Harfa near the border with occupied Palestine on November 21, 2023 (AP)

He went on to highlight that the camera, which still had Al Mayadeen's logo on it despite being set on fire by an Israeli missile, "confirms our slogan: 'Steadfast'," stressing that Al Mayadeen would remain firm and deeply rooted despite the attempts to uproot it and stifle it.

The funeral processions for our martyred colleagues Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari took place on Wednesday at Al Mayadeen's HQ in Beirut.

The remains of photojournalist Rabih Me'mari were laid to rest in the southern suburb of Beirut, while Farah Omar's remains are set to be laid to rest in her hometown of Machghara in West Bekaa.

During the funeral procession, the head of the World Union of Resistance Scholars, Sheikh Maher Hammoud led the funeral prayers before the coffins of Farah Omar and Rabih Me'mari.

He pronounced them "martyrs on the path to Al-Quds" akin to the fallen fighters of the Lebanese Resistance.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon, Farah Omar, alongside photojournalist Rabih Me'mari, were martyred on Tuesday by an Israeli drone that deliberately targeted them.

Our beloved colleagues consistently reported on Israeli atrocities in southern Lebanon despite Israeli threats. These two journalists were united in a bond forged by their dedication, bravery, and, ultimately, their sacrifice.

They have ascended as two new martyrs, true heroes, performing their journalistic duties to expose the Israeli occupation's crimes during the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

Who is Farah Omar?

Farah Hisham Omar, 25, was born on June 18, 1998, and is from Machghara in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon.

She joined Al Mayadeen in 2021 as a news editor and correspondent and was pursuing her Master's degree in journalism and media from the Lebanese University.

Farah participated in several coverages with Al Mayadeen, including the coverage of the Lebanese parliamentary elections in 2022 and the coverage of the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections in May of this year.

Farah also worked as a producer for the "Ala Fekra" segment in Al Mayadeen Online, addressing various issues related to the developments in Lebanon.

Known for her bravery, Farah insisted on covering the unfolding events in southern Lebanon, conveying the truth, and giving the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of her message.

Who is Rabih Me'mari ?

Rabih Me'mari, 44, was born on January 1, 1979, and hails from Tripoli, northern Lebanon.

Rabih was married to Manal Jaafar, who also works at Al Mayadeen Media Network, with whom he has two children, Rami (4) and Maria (2).

Me'mari joined Al Mayadeen shortly after its launch in July 2012 as a photojournalist, with over 20 years of experience in the field.

Known for his professional commitment and mastery of photography, he was part of Al Mayadeen's most important and tense coverages.

He accompanied Al Mayadeen's team from the beginning of the channel's coverage of events in southern Lebanon, returning to Beirut on rotation with his colleagues. However, he insisted on returning to Southern Lebanon to perform his duty on the frontlines until he was martyred today while covering the Israeli aggression in South Lebanon.