We are sorry to hear of the loss of another of our WOBO family, again to COVID-19. Zuhair Arafat, a longtime member and brother of WOBO Governor Harbi Arafat, passed away on September 9, 2020. Harbi and his family ask that we please all take care and stay safe.
President Paul Myers, the board of Governors and fellow members offer their condolences to his wife, family and friends.
Zuhair Arafat was born on August 9th, 1949 in Nablus, Palestine, Zuhair Suleiman Arafat was an icon in his field. Having always been a straight-A student and top of his class from childhood to graduating day, it would be no surprise that Zuhair was also at the top and true success in both his life and career.
After obtaining his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alexandria in Egypt in 1973, he moved to Saudi Arabia to work amongst the top contracting corporations Saudi Arabia had to offer including Research and Development Contracting Co. (Redec), Fast Contracting Co., Universal Imports Est., and the Peace Sun Administration (supervised by the US army corp. of engineers) just to name a few.
In 1982, he eventually established his own company called Saudi Structures Contracting Co. along with his brother Harbi Suleiman Arafat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Under their expertise and astounding leadership skills, Saudi Structures Contracting Co. went on to be an exceptionally successful company specializing in major residential, commercial, and industrial projects and some of the most iconic landmarks in the country. Furthermore, he was involved in a number of organizations including the World Organization of Building Officials (WOBO). He joined WOBO in the year 2000 and was nominated as Technical Committee Member in 2001.
Zuhair also greatly believed in furthering one’s self in life and bettering one’s self through education. He invested his years on educating himself on the latest information and technology in his field, making major contributions and breakthroughs in the civil engineering world. He as well helped many students by fully financing their education and even providing them with money to pay for other living expenses. He believed that nothing was impossible and his life motto had been “if there’s a will, there’s always a way.”
He was also a humanitarian. Zuhair was an honourable man with a huge heart who believed in bettering humanity in any way he could. He helped those he knew and did not know. He contributed to many orphanages and charities. He even helped build several worship houses and schools.
Zuhair also believed in the family; He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He married the love of his life in the late 70s and over the years they went on to have three wonderful sons. Zuhair’s sons followed in their father’s footsteps and all became Civil Engineers. To this day, they are all working together in Saudi Structures Contracting Co. and will continue building on its success to carry on their loving father’s legacy.