22 Comments
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Willis-Owen's avatar

His great grandmother is sure older than Israel!

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Eric Lindner's avatar

!

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Hanna Joe's avatar

Even his father is!

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Matt Fisher's avatar

They claimed it's a land without a people for people without a land. Here are the people!!! With struggle, hardship and occupation carving their strength like perfect sculptors.

This is a fantastic tale; I can picture Ruth holding Nabil and human kindness warming both of their hearts. I could picture the tormented face of a 13-year-old boy over a flag that proved there were people in that land. Truth is a stubborn thing.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Wow!

So wonderfully put!

Thank you!

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Rick Huff's avatar

Wow! I was left with the feeling I need more, tell us more!!!

May this do justice to what our media strives to portray as demonic.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Thank you!

More is in the works....!

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Joshua Hornick's avatar

People are so kind and so wise.

Thank you for this beautiful reminder.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Coach Hornick -

You certainly are so kind and so wise!

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Amanda Johnstone's avatar

Nabil has an energy when he walks into any room. He’s always smiling, positive, kind, innovative and has an aura and energy like no other. Human sunshine. His family are the same.

Nabil is powerful beyond measure, but never boastful, never intimidating and never rude. He has no ego. None. I’ve witnessed him bring joy to waitstaff and valet time and time again, by offering a heartfelt smile, a joke and his best wishes.

He makes people feel seen and empowered. He genuinely makes the world around him a better place.

Thank you Eric for shining a light on this valiant gentleman.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Amanda- so beautifully and perfectly put! Thank you for helping me better understand Nabil’s role in YOUR wonderful and vital work!

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Bernard Fernando's avatar

Great story. We need his full story. Need more. May GOD bless you.

Bernard

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Thank you!

The full story is in the works and is even more remarkable and inspiring!

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Patrick Morrison's avatar

Great read, thanks Eric.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Thank you!

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Tony Tedeschi's avatar

I'm sharing this with my children and friends. So much wisdom in one article. Thank you, Eric.

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Dana Khalili's avatar

I’ve had the pleasure of working for Nabil Barakat for six years now.

Prior to working for him, I owned my own business, and I was apprehensive about having to report to a superior. But any reservations I had were swiftly cast away when I realized the kind of individual he is. Being around a man who possesses strong values, leadership skills, and courage to the extent that Nabil does is extremely rare, and those fortunate enough to have such an experience are always enriched as a result; he constantly sparked my desire to learn more, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be his eternal student.

While your interview does an excellent job of outlining the story of Nabil, through no fault of your own, it barely scratches the surface. I have come to admire, regard, and idolize people whose lives exemplify altruism, forgiveness, and compassion, and that's Nabil Barakat.

Thank you, Eric, for sharing the story of an individual I consider a real-life superhero, and I’d love to see a more in-depth sequel to this piece someday.

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Mo Freihat's avatar

Uncle Nabil has been and will always be the most remarkable and kindest person I’ve ever met. I am so lucky to have you in my life.

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Student and Teacher's avatar

Wow, Nabil, the way you feel and study life with all your senses, you are a part of the teachings, an inspirer, a friend, and above all, someone about whom one can only say, "Wow. What a lovely human. What a wise human." (adapted quote about your father).

Thank you for sharing your deeply personal reflection with us and for inspiring me personally to see life through your eyes from now on ...

@Eric: Thanks to arrange and combine the words as you did!

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Thank you!

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Firas Abu Saleh's avatar

What an inspiration! One of the greatest people that I was blessed to meet.

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Eric Lindner's avatar

Thank you, Sir!

I am also blessed to know him...

And "Barakat" means "blessing"!

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