Hajj Kamel Ahmad Jawad, a Dearborn, Michigan, resident, was killed in Lebanon on Tuesday, according to a statement from his family.
Jawad had been in Nabatieh, a town in southern Lebanon, situated north of the Litani River. His family attributed his death to an Israeli airstrike.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who represents the Dearborn area, shared the family’s statement on Instagram. She also posted on X (formerly Twitter) about Americans trying to evacuate Lebanon, noting that one of her constituents had “already been killed in an Israeli airstrike.”
In the statement, Jawad’s daughter, Nadine Kamel Jawad, expressed gratitude for the support her family has received and reflected on her father’s legacy. “People from all over the world have reached out to me and my family, sharing stories of what a remarkable person he was,” she said. “We’ve also been approached by many media outlets and public figures. My father’s story isn’t just about him; it’s about a man who dedicated his life to standing with the oppressed and uplifting others. As we mourn, we kindly ask for privacy.”
Nadine also recounted her father’s final moments: “Even as missiles struck around him, my father stayed calm. He emphasized our collective responsibility to help the oppressed, and his commitment to caring for the community remained steadfast, even in the face of danger.”
A memorial service for Jawad is planned at The Islamic Center of America in Dearborn on Sunday.
Top 8 Must-Have Gaming Deals You Can’t Miss!
The White House also responded, with a National Security Council spokesperson stating, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kamel Ahmad Jawad. His death, like that of many civilians in Lebanon, is a heartbreaking tragedy.”
