Culture Minister Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada, captain of the Zajal poets in Lebanon, mourned George Abu Antoun, in a statement in which he said, “It is a coincidence that George Abu Antoun leaves us on Christ’s birthday.” ? Coincidentally, exactly one month ago, did George Abu Antoun sign his latest book, “Ghalat Al Mishwar”? I think he wrote his last testament, and he was sure of the gathering of his loved ones and his family around him, and he finished the journey to go from the pulpit of the earth to the pulpit of the heavens, to restore Christ there beside him.
He added: “George Abu Antoun, we knew you as a sober poet who carved sulfur into words. We knew you as a great captain, guardian of the Lebanese sulfur kingdom and eager to preserve the heritage.
He concluded, “I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late great poet George Abu Antoun, his loved ones and friends, and may his resting place be in heaven.”