18 May 2026 

A short while ago, we lost one of our pillars at the Arab Resource Collective (ARC). Majed Men’em was more than just a colleague who accompanied everyone who stepped foot at ARC over the past thirty years. He was a cornerstone of this “house” in every sense of the word, a watchful eye over the offices and everyone inside them. Majed, at the age of seventy-five, embraced each of us and every corner of ARC “house” and then drew his last breath in its fold.

Majed joined ARC “family” from the moment of its official establishment in Beirut, the Lebanese capital. At that time, ARC faced numerous challenges, and Majed was a pillar of support for it. He accompanied ARC through its moments of joy and sorrow. He witnessed the birth of every new project or emerging partnership, supporting his colleagues in his own unique way: a kind word here, a small gift there, and in between, brief or lengthy conversations in which he distilled his life experience into heartfelt advice. Moreover, just as Beirut endured pain at every crisis and war, Majed shared its suffering and never left. Ironically, Majed leaves ARC today while Lebanon is experiencing an ongoing Israeli war that is devastating its people including its children.

Majed’s absence leaves a painful void behind. We share our condolences with Majed’s family, all his current and former colleagues at ARC, and all his friends throughout the years.

May his memory remain with us…