Dear Friends

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart, that we convey to you the death of our colleague, Dr. Alaa El-Husseiny.

Dr. Alaa El-Husseiny passed away on Sunday December 23, 2007 a.m. in Cuba. He had traveled with his wife-to-be and his niece to Cuba on Saturday evening. Upon arrival to the resort, they went swimming but the under-tide dragged him and his niece away. They were both pulled from the sea. His niece survived but, sadly, he did not make it.

I am really sorry and deeply deeply saddened. We have lost an outstanding colleague.
 
Rabab Ward

--------------Commiserations from some of his friends--------------

Alaa left us, family and friend

At a loss, to fathom, to comprehend

What life is, and living to what end

God’s gift of a mind so beautiful

A nature so refined

An angel in life Alaa was

An angel in our hearts he remains

Beyond its end

A friend  

“What sad and terrible news. I did not believe it myself at first; he was such a lively man and looked so healthy and fit.

My heart goes for his family and dear friends. Please convey to them the sincere condolences of everyone who worked with him over the past two years in Qatar. I will pray for his soul and will pray also for his mother and siblings; may God give them all courage.
My sincere condolences to you; the ones among us who knew him most.”

Farouk El-Baz

 “I am really shocked and still cannot believe this very sad news. I had a long and stimulating discussion with Dr. Alaa during his last visit to Doha. Dr. Alaa was a wonderful colleague and friend that I have known for two years now. He has always been very supportive with a wonderful team spirit and attitude and always very considerate and kind with his colleagues.

Sadly, we have lost a very bright and talented scientist and an
extraordinary colleague and friend.”

Abdelali Haoudi

”This is totally shocking. Alaa was such a balanced and happy person, looking forward to his marriage. May God give his loved ones strength to face this tragedy. We too will miss him, his energy and his cheerful demeanor”

Amr Elnashai

”I am shocked and devastated by this heart breaking and sad news! I still can not believe it since Dr Amer conveyed the news this morning before reading Rabab's email; but all what we can say ''We belong to Allah and we return to Him''. May Allah rest his soul in peace.  Alaa was a dear, precious and sincere friend – we will hugely miss him.  We lost a sincere, talented and enthusiastic Arab scientist, who had always wanted to serve and contribute positively to his homeland the Arab World. I am short of words to express my deep sorrow for the lost of Alaa in such circumstances and timing!

Let our thoughts and sorrow for missing Alaa to inspire us to work together tirelessly to achieve what Alaa’ wanted to work with us for and to achieve, and that is to show that the Arab World can and will contribute positively to the wellbeing of humanity and lead by example.  May I suggest that we mark one of the activities of the AES in memory of our dear colleague and friend, Dr Alaa El-Hussaini. May we all recite Surat Al-Fatiha for Alaa's soul.”

 Adel Sherif

“It is with great sadness that I convey to you the death of a dear friend, close colleague, collaborator and a great role model for young Arab scientists, Dr. Alaa El-Husseini. Enna LeAllah Waenna Alleehe Rajaaon. May Allah accept all his good deeds and rest his soul in peace and grant his family and loved ones the patience and health to deal with this difficult event in their life.”

Hilal Lashuel

“What a tragedy to his family, to us AES and to the whole field of brain chemistry. I have known, admired and enjoyed Alaa friendship since November 2005 at the start of Her Highness partnership initiative. I have shared valuable professional and personal times with Alaa. My biggest on going joke with Alaa is teasing him about getting married. After greeting him last December in Qatar he rushed to announce to me about his engagement. He was very happy about this.

I am not sure if you knew, Alaa published a significant book on the brain functioning last year. He was brilliant young scientist with exceptionally high potential. He was a confident, positive, and much respected scientist and a valued colleague. If I regret one thing, I regret not joining him for a swim in Qatar last December when he asked me to. I was busy! “
Like all of you, I will miss Alaa!
Allah taala yerhamuh
With deep sadness

Rabi Mohtar

“I can not get myself to believe this shocking news! I am very saddened and devastated by the news and still can not bring myself to the fact that we lost a dear colleague and a wonderful person.  May Allah bless his soul and give his family strength and comfort  going through this ordeal, what a  great loss to all of us and the scientific community !
"Inna LeAllah Waenna Ellihe Rajoon"”
 
Magid Abou-Gharbia

“This is such tragically sad news.  May God give his mother and his fiancée the capacity to deal with devastating tragedy.  If it is any comfort, I have no doubt in my mind that he has made more people happy in his short life than many of us do in twice as many years.   In the end, one will be remembered for the difference one makes in others' lives.  Surely his research will contribute to saving and improving lives but equally or even more importantly will be his incredible beaming smile that made everyone who crossed his path just a bit happier, every single time.  The moment we all met in Qatar, I was trying to find ways to associate something with every  person so I can remember who is who..  Alaa was so easy to remember as the most cheerful happy unpretentious of all, truly shining with happiness that was simply contagious.  Even when the situation was tense and he was being critical of something it was done in utmost respect and still with a smile on his face.  Few people are capable of bringing happiness to those around them with the ease with which he unfailingly did.  There is no question there will be a tear in the heart of everyone who knew him for a very long time. 
Allah yerhamak ya Ala'a. You always put a smile on my face every time I saw your face.”

Tyseer Aboulnasr

”This is very sad news indeed. The Arab World and AES community in particular, have lost an excellent scientist and good person who wanted to contribute a great deal to his homeland and its scientific development.
Only God is Eternal and everything else with certitude will perish.
God give his family and fiends fortitude to bear this terrible loss.”

Mustafa Abdulla Mustafa

“I have no word to describe my pain, but I will remember Alaa’s smile and motivating words as a source of inspiration, joy, and hope.
I would like to suggest that we work together towards raising funds for an endowed lectureship in biomedical research to honor Alaa’s name and perpetuate the efforts he started.  The lecture could be held during the annual AES meeting in Doha. I would be honored to coordinate this process, if Alaa’s family and friends have no objections to this.”

Hicham Fenniri

“There are no words to express the big loss of the talented great scientist Alaa.  I am devastated.  He was a friend and my Canadian AES journey comrade since November 2005.  He brought best ideas to complete the mission of bringing the AES back to the Arab world and worked hard to achieve the goals of QF in establishing research infrastructure.
AES should owner his memory by naming one of the labs in one of the three suggested research centers “Dr. Alaa Al Husseini Lab”.   AES will never forget how Alaa added  a lot of happiness to our meetings.

After the last day of the QFIRST 2007, Alaa rushed to see his mother in Abu Dhabi and I pray for her to go through that terrible time.
Allah Yarhamuk Alaa and you will never be forgotten.”

Nagwa Abou El-Naga

“My deepest condolences to everyone involved.  This is very sad news that I can’t get over.  I met Alaa very recently at the QFirst conference and interacted with him briefly but can’t help but feel very sad and shocked by his passing.  This is very untimely and unfortunate.
Please let me know if we can be of any assistance to his family in these very difficult times.”

Khaled Machaca

“I am deeply sad about the death of Dr Alaa. My wife and I attached a letter for his family. In fact, my wife is currently in Vancouver visiting her family. We were wondering if you have any information about the memorial as my wife would love to attend on our behalf.”

Samir Hamdan

“I am in the Italian Alpes and I just learned the tragically  sad news. I am very shocked. Alaa was more than a friend and I was expecting him in Paris this summer with his fiancée.
Please convey my heartfelt condolences to his family members. My Allah rest his soul in peace . Enne lilah Wa Enna Elaihi Rajeoon.”

Salem Chouaib

“I extend my heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Dr. Alaa El-Husseini. 
Enna lellah Waenna Ellaihee Rajaoon
We pray to God to help the bereaved family to bear this great loss.”

Aisha Al-Obaidli

“Please forward my condolences to Alaa's family. The shocking news of his sudden death shook me.  
Inna lellah wa inna elaihe raje3oon.
May faith strengthen his family in this trying time.”

Manal A. Swairjo

“I am devastated … what a loss!”

Karem Sakallah

“Please accept my sincere condolences and pass them to the family of Dr. Alaa El-Husseini.  I was saddened by his passing.  Although I only knew him briefly in Qatar a few weeks ago, he made a great impression on me.  He was one of those dynamic, committed individuals who strongly believed in enhancing the life of people in the Arab World.  He will be sorely missed.”

Sherin Abdel-Meguid 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
" يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاَةِ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبيلِ اللّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ بَلْ أَحْيَاء وَلَكِن لاَّ تَشْعُرُونَ وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمَوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ"
حضره أهل الفقيد وأصدقائه الكرام
أعزيكم واعزي نفسي بفقدان الأخ الدكتور علاء الحسيني عالم وإنسان لا ينسى. لقد التقيت الفقيد في مؤتمر العلماء العرب المغتربين في الدوحة وحضوره كان متميزا, ولكن وعد الله حق ولا نقول ما لا يرضي الله.
رحم الله الفقيد والهم أهله وأصدقائه الصبر والسلوان.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Ahmad Yazbak

“Dear Alaa’s Family
I am writing to express my deepest sympathies to you and your extended family. I was shocked to hear the death of my friend, brother, and colleague Alaa. My heart is filled with sympathy on the loss of your beloved son.  Alaa was a wonderful, hospitable, and sensitive man. He was devoted to his Arab scientific community.  
At our last meeting in Doha, I had the pleasure to discuss with Alaa our scientific interest and I will never forget his leadership and I will miss his generous nature. I was very sad to hear about his passing away and I had to say that we lost a great and rising start Arab scientist.
I know how much you will miss your son.  We all will. I pray Allah to help you go through this difficult time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.  May Allah rest his soul in peace in jenna inchaAllah.” 
Enna LeAllah Waenna Alleehe Rajaaon

Mohammed Akaaboune

“I am so sorry that our first correspondence is to offer condolences for such a sad and tragic event. This is shocking and very hard to believe. I pray for him, for his family and friends. In situations like this it is very hard to find the words, peace be on his soul.”
Salam

Abed Hammoud

“I am deeply saddened by the shocking news conveyed by Dr. Hilal  a bout Dr. Alaa, Enaa Lel Allah WaEnna Elayeh Rajo'on. 
My heartfelt sympathy to you and to his family on the great loss. 
I got the chance to meet Dr. Alaa in person twice during the AES conferences in 2006 and 2007. 
I worked with him through the biomedical group, he was very honest, kind and caring person. A young Arab Scientist who we admired and looked highly to him. His kind words and generous offer to help us at Qatar can't be forgotten. He will be remembered for long time in our prayers.
May Allah give him peace and keep him in his mercy.
May Allah reward his family strength patience and peace in their great loss.
My sincere sympathy to you and to his family.
Enaa Lel Allah Wa Enna Elayeh Rajo'on.”

Hamda Al-Naemi

“To Alaa’s Family,
I am a fellow Arab from Iraq living in the US and had the great privilege to meet and befriend Alaa just few days ago in Doha. I am in total shock that I almost cannot believe what happened, but we are believers in God and that on a certain moment in time each one of us will have to leave this world no matter what the circumstances or causes. We are so sad that this moment came early in the life of Alaa. His loss is a loss to all Arabs because he was not just a good scientist but also a caring person with a goal and motive to make a difference and contribute to the advancement of his people and a role model for others. He was one of the leaders of the activities of the Doha meeting and his efforts were appreciated by all those who attended the meeting. In the few days we spent in Doha I got to know Alaa as a gentle and nice person and we all became part of this Arab Expatriate scientists as one whole family and as if we knew each other for decades.
I am still getting over the shock of losing such a dear person whom our paths crossed each other for a few days, sadly they were the few days near the end of his life.
I had lost very dear friends and family members to drowning and the condolences we get from our Prophet Mohamed peace be upon him is that whoever drowns is a shaheed.
May Allah accept him as a shaeed in the Jenna.
I ask you that you be patient and make Dua’a and prayers for him and provide charity for his sake.”

Wael Al-Delaimy

“What a shock it is for me to learn about the untimely death of Alaa. I had first met Alaa 2 years ago as we were preparing for the first Conference of Arab Expatriate Scientists in Qatar.
I loved Alaa and we were collaborating on the processing of his Neuroligin proteins by the convertases. We had discussed the details at Doha in Qatar just two weeks ago and were excited to write up article together.  I will dedicate it to him, as I also lost a dear friend and colleague with whom I spent many hours at UBC during my visit last year and elsewhere.
He was telling me that he is writing a great paper on CD42 and its role in neuronal migration and apoptosis, which together with Michael Hayden he was writing it up for Nature Neuroscience. I am just flabbergasted of how short life is.
What a loss, may God have his soul. He will remain in my heart forever as a generous friend and colleague with whom I enjoyed very much discussing science and life in general.
It is a great loss to us all and to Neuroscience and UBC in particular.

Please convey my sincerest condolences to his family and friends and tell them that he will not be forgotten, such generous and dedicated persons are so rare.”

Nabil G. Seidah

“Enna Lellah Wa Enna Laho Hajeoon
What a sad news.  Although I met him for the first time during the conference, I felt that I known him for a long time.
This is a great loss for all of us and we pray for him and his family.
Is there anything that we can do as a group?”
Salaam

Burhan Ghanayem

“Enna Lillah Wa'Einna Illehe Rajioon
We are struck by sadness upon receiving the news of Alaa passing away. Our grief is immense and we ask Allah to give his family patience. May Allah forgive his sins, accept his deeds and shower Almighty mercy upon him and make his residence paradise.
Alaa was an energizer, consensus builder and a giver. He gave of himself freely in particular to the AES cause. I and the rest of the team will miss him dearly and miss his contributions. I am sorry at this point words are not helping me.
Salam to All,”

Walid Qoronfle

“Deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of our much loved colleague, Dr Alaa El-Husseini, please convey my heartfelt condolences to his dear family members. Alaa's radiant personality and unique scientific abilities will be dearly missed. My ardent prayers are for the progress of his noble soul and for the patient resignation of his bereaved family in these difficult days.”

Ramin Badii

“I was deeply saddened to hear the news about the sudden death of our dear friend and colleague Alaa. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We are all in a state of shock.
I met Alaa for the first time in QFirst07 meeting in Qatar where he was key person in our Biomedical and Health group. He contributed a lot for the success of this group. I enjoyed his company during the meeting. He was such an honest and supportive person and we all are going to miss him.
I know you will miss Alaa greatly. During this difficult time, I know you will draw upon your own strength and the strength of loved ones that hold you in their thoughts.
May Allah rest his soul in peace and grant you and loved ones the patience in this difficult time.
You have my deepest sympathy,”

Maen Abdelrahim

“Enna-Lilah-Wa Enn-Elaihi Rajeoon,
I am still in a state of shock.
I pray to the almighty Allah to accept Alaa's good deeds, and bestow mercy upon his soul, Ameen”

Abdul Karim Nasher

“I am so sorry to hear this news. May Allah accept his good deeds and grant his family and loved ones all the patience and steadfast at this difficult time
Our sorrow is immense and his work in all areas is something we should aspire to ourselves. Eena Lillahi waena Ilayhi Rajioun.”

Tarek Mansour

“I am shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Alaa s death. Please convey to his family my deep sympathy and condolences. We have lost a good man and a most valuable colleague. May his soul rest in God s mercy and peace.”

Hamid Al-Mondhiry 

“Please convey our condolences to the bereaved family of Dr. Alaa. Words cannot alone express how sorry we are to hear this news.  Please accept our most sincere condolences on the loss of Dr. Alaa El-Husseini Enna LeAllah Waenna Alleehe Rajaaon, a great scientist of Arab World.
We pray the Almighty Allah rest his Soul in peace and give patience to family to bear this great loss.”

Rajvir Singh

"I was shocked with the news about Dr. Alaa El-Husseiny. I will appreciate it if you can add to the site, my few words which I 
wrote about him.

I am sincerely shocked with this unpredicted and terrible news. It is hard to digest this news but as believers we have to accept it. I had the chance to meet and discuss with Alaa, for the first time during the QFirst conference. I was impressed by his kindness, lively spirit and special smile which not easy to forget. The whole life was ahead of him and was very promised Arab Scientist, which we should be proud of and remember. Unfortunately, his destination (Qadarho) has reached its end. I pray for his pure soul and pray that Allah will accept him 
in Paradise.

I pray for his mother, family and friends and may Allah will support 
them during their sad time."

Fuad Iraqi