After a long and successful Lebanese journey in the diaspora and a significant mark in the field of medicine, the town of Bekifa in the Rashaya district, the Al-Barad'i and Abu Ghanem families, and the family of the late Shakib Al-Barad'i mourned the passing of cardiologist Dr. Nabil Shakib Al-Barad'i, who passed away at his place of residence and work in the United States of America. His body arrived in his hometown of Bekifa on August 29, 2023, in accordance with his will to be buried in his birthplace, the soil of his homeland, and the land of his ancestors and parents.

Al-Barad'i, who held various high-level responsibilities in American hospitals, most recently served as the Director of the Intensive Care Unit and the Cardiac Catheterization Department at Lake Jackson Hospital in Houston.

The late doctor's body arrived in his hometown of Bekifa, and his coffin was carried to the Bekifa Charity Club hall, amidst an atmosphere of sadness and grief over his early passing, especially since the deceased had booked a trip for the end of August to return to Lebanon and reunite with his family scattered across the diaspora before death struck and he returned carried in a coffin.

The funeral was attended by his children, brothers, sisters, his family, the Abu Ghanem family, and a large crowd of residents from Bekifa and the surrounding villages.
During the funeral, Mr. Hafez Badour spoke, describing the deceased as a knight who dismounted the steed of life, returning on the wings of darkness and the saddle of sorrows. He said: "Your presence is immune to absence, and people like you are not defeated by death; you will remain present."

Then, Fares Abu Ghanem, the brother of the deceased's mother, spoke and enumerated the virtues of the successful, outstanding doctor in America—the humanitarian and ethical physician, a man of good repute who served humanity. He noted that he was a professor and a teacher in the largest and most important hospitals in the United States of America, highlighting the family's legacy and contributions in the social and humanitarian fields in his town and across the homeland.

Next, the former director of the Bekifa Public School, Mr. Nizam Daham, spoke on behalf of the townspeople. He reviewed the journey of the doctor who emigrated for the sake of knowledge and harvested excellence and distinction before death harvested him, saying: "How many patients did you save, in your clinic or in the hospital where you were one of the most prominent medical pillars, until destiny came and snatched you away, and science could do nothing." He added, "You came from a hardworking family, outspoken in the truth, loving knowledge and people without discrimination."

The family and friends' tribute was delivered by his friend from his study years in America, Dr. Fares Zaitoun, who said: "I never imagined I would speak about you in front of your coffin. I was always longing to speak to you and with you, looking at your bright face and listening to your habitual laughter and your words and advice that you had been giving me for more than forty years, since we grew up together under one roof in the United States, where you gained a new father, mother, and siblings, resulting in a family relationship that you remained loyal and faithful to throughout your life."
Zaitoun continued: "We accompanied each other in the city of Richmond for ten years, first in one house and then hundreds of meters apart. You were the older brother, the closest to me, and the compassionate friend. I witnessed people's love for you and their trust in you, and the friendships you built were due to your friendly and kind personality. You also earned everyone's respect as a role model in ethics, perseverance, and determination to achieve what you aspired to. Your life story, Dr. Nabil, is a lesson for every ambitious, persistent person with a goal, no matter how difficult the obstacles become. Everyone who hears about you draws determination, perseverance, and the struggle to reach the goal from your self-made story. This is your message and your legacy."
Following the prayers, he was laid to rest in the family cemetery in his hometown.