In Memoriam: Dr. Hassan Hathout - A Man of God, A Man of Love (1924-2009)
Posted Apr 26, 2009

IN MEMORY OF DR. HASSAN HATHOUT - A Man of God, A Man of Love


(Los Angeles - 4/26/09)—On Saturday, April 25, the world lost a pioneer in American Muslim movement, a medical ethicist, a poet and a powerful voice for reform. Throughout his life, Dr. Hassan Hathout (1924-2009) was always known for carrying a message of love.

 

“The passing of Dr. Hassan Hathout is a profound loss to our community,” said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. “He promoted love as a key element of faith—loving everyone, friend and foe, while working for justice. We are committed to expressing our gratitude for his lifetime of work in the cause of Islam by continuing to work for the Islamic values of mercy, justice, dignity and equality for all.”

 

Dr. Hathout was a multi-cultural physician, ethicist, and poet. He grew up in surroundings where love of God and country, and call of duty, were pivotal. With much talent, learning, discipline, and meditation, he was able to combine a highly successful career in academic medicine, ethics, and theology.

In his most recent appearance at MPAC’s annual convention, Dr. Hathout embodied this message during a speech entitled “Love and Relationship” (click here to watch the video).

 

Dr. Hathout was a man of God, and a scholar of monotheism including Christianity and Judaism. For him, the concept of religion was summarized in one word, and that is: LOVE. He was the keynote speaker at the first Christian-Muslim celebration at the White House in 1999. Additionally, he is the co-founder of the Interfaith Council of Southern California. Dr. Hathout was the recipient of many awards from interfaith and humanitarian communities, including the Jewish Christian Muslim Olive Branch award for his efforts in making peace and harmony between people of different faiths, and the Initiatives of Change Life Changer award.

 

SEE: Dr. Hassan Hathout: A Survivor of the 1948 Nakba and the Siege of Ramle

Dr. Hathout received his extensive postgraduate training in Britain at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. There, he earned the triple degrees of: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Doctorate of Philosophy in the field of Reproductive Genetics. He was also co-founder of the International Organization of Medical Sciences, designed with the primary goal of dissemination of God-guided medical ethics.

 

He authored numerous medical, ethical, and religious manuscripts, chapters, and books including: “The Spirit of the Red Cross in the Teachings of Islam,” “The Humane Physician,” “Islamic Perspectives on Obstetrics and Gynecology,” “Reading the Muslim Mind,” “Thus Shall I Stand before God,” and “Audible Silence.”

He is survived by his wife of more than fifty-six years, Salonas, a retired pathologist, his daughter, Eba, and his grandchildren Sarrah and Hassaan Shahawy.


 

The MPAC Family asks for prayers for the Hathout family in this difficult time.
Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon. To God we belong and to Him we will return.

 

Funeral Prayers:
Sunday, April 26 at 1:15 p.m.
Islamic Center of Southern California

Burial:
Monday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m.
Rose Hills Memorial Park (Gate 9)
3888 Workman Mill Rd
Whittier, CA 90601

Condolences to the Hathout Family:
Monday, April 27 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Islamic Center of Southern California
434 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020
Contact the Islamic Center at (213) 382-9200 for additional information


Founded in 1988, the Muslim Public Affairs Council is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim of Muslim American. MPAC offices are located in Washington, DC, New York City and Los Angeles.

SEE ALSO:
The reconciliation of oppositions, Mazen Hashem http://www.altmuslim.com/a/a/a/3049/