Announcement by Ghanem and Leila Bibi on the passing of Youssef Hajjar
22 July 2026

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our colleague, Youssef Hajar, passed away on 22 July 2026, after several weeks of suffering from the effects of a heart attack followed by a severe stroke.

His funeral service will be held in his beloved mountain village of Fyti, in western Cyprus, on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.

Youssef fell into a coma after emergency treatment at the hospital in the city of Paphos. He was then transferred to Limassol General Hospital in the hope of receiving more advanced care, and later to Nicosia General Hospital for the same reason. What initially appeared to be the slightest sign of improvement soon faded. He was subsequently transferred back to Limassol, where the medical team concluded that it would be best for him to return either to Paphos or to the United Kingdom, where he could receive rehabilitation if he managed to overcome the effects of the stroke. Throughout this period, his condition remained very critical.

He will be laid to rest in the cemetery of his village, which, according to his widow and our friend, Kate Phillips, is where he would have wished to be buried.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to all his friends and loved ones.

May he rest in peace.