Abou Youssef

The one, the only Abou Youssef from the Lebanese University- third branch. If wikileaks were on the trend back then, he would definitely be nominated as the most important figure of the Lebanese University not only between the years 99  & 2003 but for many years that passed and others to come…

You can’t be enrolled in the faculty of letters and not know him. That thin tall man with a thick silver beard that compensated his hair shortage. Everybody thought he lived in the campus because no matter how early you show up or how late you leave the university, he’s always around. Anything you want to know about registration or uni events, he has it all. He’d give you all the information you need and he would at times spare you a very long queue. I don’t think anybody knows his job title, he’s like the joker in a card game, able to fit anywhere.

I never saw Abou Youssef after graduation except for once in Rachid Karameh’s international fair as usual busy going back and forth with organizers and there was no possible chance for me to say hello.

A few days ago I saw him in the most unexpected place. Well, maybe it’s not really unexpected but I was surprised I saw him. I was with Farah, Nour & Hiba having some “Ash-Esh” lemonade icecream and I saw him order some, too. When I saw him I stood up and shouted: “Allah ma3ak Abou Youssef”. He turned to the direction of the voice, flashed me a wide smile, nodded a shy hello and left. I guess I embarrassed him 🙂

I love you Abou Youssef and I wish you all the best, you might not know it but you are probably the only sweet memory I have from the Lebanese University & I’m so happy I saw you the other day.