It has been more than 6 years since I left FPI, but memories are almost like yesterday, I could still remember the time I was not happy and facing some issues at my department , planning to resign from GEI and it was a surprise to know that first action taken is to transfer me to the president office were Rami ( may his soul RIP) and Mr. Fouad’s, I was so happy but at the same afraid as I knew from many colleagues that working for the CEO and the president is not going to be easy!…So I moved , and every moment I used to expect an issue or a problem to happen due to the new responsibilities ….Well….this moment never came!
I often used to talk to myself and say ..” he is so quite..so polite … I could notice his presence only from the smell of his cigar as he used to enter from the back side door…..and whenever he enter from the main door..I could never forget turning his face to my window with a smile and continue walking to his office……. so different he is!!” ….Rather than calling me to his office when ever is needed… Rami simply used to pass by my door and ask for it with great respect!!…. even when he had a broken foot …having difficulties to walk….he still walk in to talk and discuss business related issues! However, this did not stop me from going to his office , greet and ask him how he is for the day !! … never felt him as a boss more than a young brother whom I really care of
From my small window facing Rami’s office , I could see a him passing with his folded trouser ..wearing the flipflop…preparing himself for the prayers…I was impressed !! busy life did not take this young man from his relationship with god!!life did not take him away from his responsibilities as a father , who used to stop anything could affect his beautiful girls’ life…. I remember the moments he used to be very upset when his wife requested a baby sitter for the newborn baby Yasmina ..believing in the fact that this baby should be taken care with only her mom….I remember the moments when he used to be pleased to receive candies from me to the little girls or when I used to take them to play with my daughter some times during the travel of their mother or even his travels…… I remember the time he reject as he was upset when I receive a request for a cook to his home…due to the strong believes of the duty of the mother or a father at home..regardless of wealth or available means or even luxurious life a person can have!! I remember his understanding and compassion when I asked him for a help to one of the employees at GEI who used to face cancer and needed financial support …Rami did not hesitate to take action ..he was very open and happy to support …I remember the moments I saw him playing football with his employees in the afternoon..I remember the time and stories under the rain about his trip to Mekka for Pilgrimage with a group of employees … I always wondered …what does he think about ..with his cigar and quite hours at his office…..most probably a lot…business..family ..life..future…and many more ….The last time I saw Mr. Fouad and Rami during my farewell and goodbye moments ..he wished me all the best and said “Norma our door is always open for you whenever you wish to come back” this meant a lot for me and will always do!!
…..There is a lot about Rami and those might only give a flash back of what I used to see in Rami every day I come to work…I think I should not say” I remember” because I never forgotten!!
May his soul rest in heaven and his beautiful image always stay in our hearts
RIP Rami, I will miss you and think of you always…
It hurts so much, I can’t believe Ur gone—I love u Rami… I didn’t lose JUST a brother, I lost more than EVERY THING. I miss u Rami, I think of you every second , every day…….. I love you
I still remember the day I first met Rami at his office, it was my interview to join his creative team. Never expected a person in his position to be that friendly and jovial, and that too with someone he’s meeting for the first time. I was straight out of the university and didn’t have much industry experience, still he made me present my ideas, concepts and portfolio. He didn’t even ask a single question in between and let me do all the talking. I’ve always admired Rami for his ability to listen; he was a perfect example of how a leader should be. After my presentation, he came up to me and told me that I am the perfect fit for that position and gave me a whole lot of confidence From that point till now, if I’ve achieved anything in life as a human being or as a creative person, it’s only because of him. He was my mentor, my friend and more over my inspiration. If I can be at least 10% of what Rami was as a human being, I’ll consider myself successful in life. He always tells me that a good leader should be a good human being first. I was fortunate enough to meet Rami two days before his demise and had a very friendly conversation about his future projects and things he specifically wanted me to work on. I am not accepting the fact that he’s left us all alone. He is still with us, looking at us from a better place, leading us like never before and wanting us to do our best.
My heart goes out to his three little angels, who he loved the most in his life and keep asking me to design different stuffs for them. May God give his parents and family with full strength and support to help them achieve his vision. May Allah bless his soul to rest in peace and let us all include him in our prayers.
I clearly remember when I first met Rami. It was for my job interview in his office in Dubai, a meeting I will never forget. Driving home that same afternoon I was excited and inspired and hopeful of being able to join his team.
As the ‘Supreme Poet’ (Il Sommo Poeta), the Italian Dante Alighieri, said: “A great flame follows a tiny spark.” This quote to me symbolizes Rami in every way.
Rami led through others, his sparks of excitement, joy and passion ignited everyone around him. After a meeting with Rami I would come away feeling invigorated by his spark; ready to take one whatever task or project, however large or complex. From small ideas, discussions and conversations came big visions, projects and results.
That’s what Rami was all about and what in my view makes a great leader.
Not just a great boss but a wonderful human being, Rami touched many people in his short life with his kindheartedness, generosity and ambition. I will never forget his analogy of ‘paying it forward’ as a concept in business and in life. If we all give our spark, great flames will follow and he proved this in so many ways.
Rami said: “My approach to Leadership is fundamentally centered on the core principles of Listening, Selfishness for Selflessness, and Clarity of Goals” and this is exactly how I experienced working with him.
He was a great listener, one of the best I have ever met, and he taught us the importance of taking notes. I have not used as many notebooks as I have during the time I worked with Rami and I now know why: “He listens well who takes notes”, Dante Alighieri.
I miss Rami. Coming to work doesn’t feel the same and I don’t think it ever will, but I am grateful for the time I did get to work with him and his spark will live on in all of us. I will continue to apply what I have learned from him and will make sure to pay this forward in any way I can. I know Rami is watching over us and his spark will continue to kindle us to do what he would have wanted us to.
I really admired him. For his intellect, hilarious sense of humour and for his big heart which he wore eternally fixed to his sleeve. And for his generosity. Rami was always looking for ways he could help people, he helped me in so many ways. He always did all he could to make life better for those around him, for the friends and family he loved and adored. I will miss him deeply.
To me and to all of us at FPi, Rami was our inspirational leader, wise mentor and above all our great friend. He was our beacon and in his presence we knew exactly were to go and what to do as he gave us energy and hope and assurance that the future will be bright. He selflessly touched our hearts and minds with his kindness and wisdom and forever we will work to instil his vision and what he believed in.
I came to know Rami as a charming, considerate and generous individual, dedicated to his family and close friends and committed to doing right by people. Rami was very much one-of-a kind and the world will certainly be a much less brighter place without him. May he rest in peace.
It is impossible to capture the qualities that made Rami such a special person in just a few words, however his drive to have a positive impact on all, his principal of humble servitude and his unwavering faith, i believe, stand out as the pillars of a life spent in commitment to the betterment of this world and all those in it.
A mentor, friend and a brother are just some of the roles Rami played in my life, but he was so much more to me than this. One of the amazing things about Rami was that he gave so much of himself to elevate those around him, devoting much of his precious time to others. To all his close friends, in both his personal and business life, Rami set the shining example we all aspired to follow. He brought joy to the lives of those around him with his charm, generosity and his infectious sense of humour, and had a positive impact on the wider world through his visionary entrepreneurial spirit and his altruistic nature. Rami’s ability to see the good in others and focus his many facets on encouraging its growth was his gift to those who came across his path. Blessed with humility, empathy and patience in abundance, Rami was a beacon of pure light in this world igniting a glow in everyone and everything he touched.
His humble servitude to his family, friends and those he worked with as well as to the “greater good” was inspiring. This is what i understood to be the underlying principle that guided Rami’s each and every interaction. He was constantly and quietly pondering on how he could deliver healing, joy and growth to peoples’ lives and extract these same qualities from all situations he was presented with.
Rami’s unwavering faith was something to behold and was the foundation for the prolific energy he generated in his life. I feel truly blessed to have shared in the life of such a gifted, pious and loving human being, and i will forever hold his spirit in my heart and strive to propagate the many lessons he left me with.
Your legacy shall forever live on. You are a role model and an inspiration to everyone you meet. Your wisdom and generosity are unmatched and almost holy. You are grander than life; a bright light that shall forever shine in our hearts. Rami, you wanted to change the world to a better place and you had the foresight to do it. We shall continue to honour your legacy. You remain in our prayers.
Rami Makhzoumi was an inspiration both personally and professionally for so many, he was a great friend and business leader. A man of tremendous vision, conviction and dedication, he lived life to the fullest and exhibited his trademark and seemingly limitless passion and energy in all his endeavours. Rami will be sorely missed and always remembered.
Allah Yerhamak…..my brother & best friend…….what is there to say?
How do you forget someone you can ALWAYS count on & someone ALWAYS there for you?
How do you forget someone who had a LOVING heart and an AFFECTIONATE soul?
How do you forget a genuinely GOOD person?
How do you forget someone who was so DEAR to his family and friends?
How do you forget someone who made so much MEANING out of his life?
How do you forget someone who is so EXTRAORDINARY and GIFTED?
How do you forget someone who was destined for GREATNESS?
We were hit hard with your loss. You were a rare breed, a class act…. someone like you is just UNFORGETTABLE and IRREPLACEABLE.
You passed the test of life with flying colors. No doubt.
I will ALWAYS remember the good times & great memories.…..so many of them….that now take on even a more profound importance and meaning.
May God keep your loving family strong.
Rest in peace.
