Lebanon bid farewell on Monday to Ziad Rahbani, one of its most revered and influential artists, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere during a public funeral held at the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in Mhaidse, Bikfaya. The farewell drew thousands of grieving fans, officials, artists and loved ones, united in mourning the loss of a cultural giant whose words and music left an indelible mark on Lebanese identity.
Ziad Rahbani’s admirers turned out in large numbers to pay tribute to the celebrated playwright, author, composer and singer, whose fearless voice shaped political satire and musical resistance for decades. A large crowd gathered around his mother, the legendary Fairuz, his sister Rima and members of the Rahbani family.
On behalf of President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam attended the service and posthumously awarded Rahbani the National Order of the Cedar, Commander rank, one of the country’s highest honors. In a deeply emotional address, Salam said, “Words fail me. My heart is heavy as I stand before a grieving mother, a family, friends and an entire country gathered in mourning. Ziad, rebellious genius, you raised the voice of our generation with courage and truth. You said what many dared not say, ‘Belnesbe la bokra shou?’”
Also in attendance were Vice President of Parliament Elias Bou Saab, representing Speaker Nabih Berri, First Lady Nehmat Aoun, former presidents Amin Gemayel and Michel Sleiman, Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh, Minister of Information Paul Morcos, several members of parliament and prominent figures from Lebanon’s artistic and musical scenes.
The funeral mass was presided over by Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Mount Lebanon Selouane Moussa, accompanied by numerous clergy. In his homily, Bishop Moussa honored Rahbani as “a committed creator, deeply moved by the suffering of his people.” He continued, “Ziad saw the suffering of the people. He carried it like a cross and, in his own way, transformed it into resistance and light. He fought with his words and his music, in the service of the truth as he perceived it. The evil that gnawed at him internally had become a source of creation, light and awakening.”
Turning to Fairuz, the bishop added, “The Rahbani family has become the family of an entire country. Thanks to you, we are one big family called Lebanon.”
Following the mass, the Rahbani family received condolences in the church hall before Ziad was laid to rest in the family vault, alongside his father Assi and his sister Layal.
The farewell had begun at dawn in front of Khoury Hospital in Beirut, where Rahbani passed away. Crowds gathered early to pay their final respects. At 8 AM, the funeral procession departed from Hamra, an iconic Beirut neighborhood closely tied to Ziad’s creative life. The hearse moved slowly through the streets to the sound of applause, ululations and songs by Fairuz. Mourners lining the sidewalks of Hamra, Sanayeh, Spears, Burj el-Murr and Achrafieh tossed flowers toward the coffin in a moving expression of love and loss.
The procession concluded in Bikfaya for the final goodbye.
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