The Minister of Culture, Judge Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada, the head of the Syndicate of Zajal Poets in Lebanon, mourned George Abu Antoun, in a statement in which he said: “It is a coincidence that George Abu Antoun leaves us on the birthday of Christ”?
Is it a coincidence that exactly a month ago, George Abu Antoun signed his latest book, “Ghalat Al Mishwar”?
I think he wrote his last will, and he was assured of the meeting of his loved ones and his family around him, and he finished the journey to move from the pulpit of the earth to the pulpit of the heavens, to celebrate the Lord Christ there near him…
George Abou Antoun, we knew you as a sober poet, carving in words an arrogance, we knew you as a great captain, a guardian of the Lebanese kingdom and keen on preserving the heritage, we got to know you as a kind person who everyone gathers in his love and respect.
O captain of hearts, O Abu Naji… In the joy of this feast there is a lump, and in the ink of the pen there is weeping and lamentation.
He concluded: “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late great poet George Abu Antoun, his loved ones and friends, and may his resting place be in Heaven.”