We meet today to hold a memorial for a dear brother we have lost, who had his place, his role and his effective presence among us. On this occasion our feeling of sorrow is renewed - the occasion of the fortieth day since this grave affliction struck us with his absence, and since what befell our people through the massacres and killing this enemy committed against the innocent and those safe in their homes.
Brother Nader Yazbek left us along with his noble family, with whom he lived and whom he worked to make his provision for the future of his days, planting in them ethics, faith, help for the needy and service to their society. He was among those who were truthful with God in word and deed, having pledged to Him to be in the place and the position where he would gain His pleasure. He offered a model image in his openness, his modesty, his distinction and his knowledge, and he insisted on remaining in his homeland and serving his society - especially when he decided to be at Al-Mabarrat Association despite all the temptations offered to him.
He mastered his work and was distinguished in it, and was an effective element in every position in which he was present - especially as we came to know him in the difficult days during the coronavirus pandemic, when he was careful to provide teaching to every student through remote learning, knowing the importance of knowledge in raising an educated and aware generation.
On this occasion we feel the loss of a dear person who carried all these headings of faith and mission - modesty, knowledge, ethics, openness and love - and we lost all of this through the savagery of this enemy, which respects neither humanitarian laws nor international covenants.
We wished he would remain with us to carry on his academic and humanitarian path, but it was God's will and decree to choose him for a better place in His presence. His provision will remain an ongoing charity, and it is our responsibility to preserve what he accomplished in developing the technology and informatics programmes at Al-Mabarrat's schools, to build upon it and to carry on until we reach what he aspired to.
Our role in this homeland is to preserve it - to preserve its unity, its independence, its freedom and its security. And though we will not rest as long as this enemy is arrogant and occupying the land, restrained by no values and no laws, it is our duty to keep this homeland proud, free and independent, and for all of us to build the homeland of the human being and of justice - a homeland in which its people are respected, for a homeland is not built by bigotry, closed-mindedness and exclusion…
