The artistic community in Egypt and the Arab world was devastated by the news of the passing of artist Samir Ghanem at the age of 84, following a health crisis that led him to intensive care in a hospital two weeks ago. One of the first stars to mourn the late artist was his son-in-law, Hassan Raddad, who wrote on his Instagram account: "Indeed, we belong to God and indeed to Him we shall return. Goodbye my dear father-in-law and the sweetest person I've met in my life. Please read Al-Fatiha for his pure soul and pray for him to have mercy, God willing." He added: "Note: The death is not due to COVID-19."
Media personality Rami Radwan announced the date of the funeral for his father-in-law on his Facebook page: "The funeral prayer will be tomorrow, God willing, after Friday prayers at Al-Moshir Mosque in the Fifth Settlement. We ask you for Al-Fatiha and prayers."
Eemy Samir Ghanem wrote on Facebook: "Father, may God grant you eternal rest. Goodbye, my beloved." Stars from Egypt and the Arab world mourned the late artist, including actress Hend Sabri, who tweeted: "A rare artist. I always felt he was part of the family. He was one of the ones who made us laugh and lifted us from any psychological state just by watching him. Goodbye to the last lights of the beautiful theater trio. May God have mercy on the star Samir Ghanem and my deepest condolences to my friends Dunia and Eemy Samir Ghanem, his wife, star Dalal Abdel Aziz, and star Hassan Raddad, and media personality Rami Radwan."
Media figure Wafaa Kilani expressed her condolences on Twitter: "The laugh of Egypt has departed. Indeed, we belong to God and indeed to Him we shall return. With great sadness, I mourn the respected artist Samir Ghanem. May God have mercy on you and forgive you for all the laughter you brought us, dear-hearted one. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Dalal, Dunia, Eemy, and all his family and loved ones. May God grant you patience in your grief."
Star Dora mourned the late artist: "Goodbye to the great star Samir Ghanem, who will remain in all our hearts with his unparalleled light spirit, having left a mark in the history of Egyptian and Arab comedy. Personally, he was one of the closest artists to my heart and a kind father whom I will never forget through my friendship with Dunia and Eemy; he had the ability to bring joy just by appearing."
Actor Ahmed Mekky mourned the late artist on Instagram: "The legend of Arab comedy, Samir Ghanem, has departed to the mercy of God."
Actor Mohamed Ramadan mourned the late artist on Instagram with a video of one of his interviews, writing: "May God have mercy on you and grant you eternal rest, O giant of the theater and legend of comedy, Samir Ghanem. You have entertained me as a viewer, and your testimony in my history is a badge I will honor for my entire life. May God comfort the hearts of all your fans and family."
Star Nadia El Gendy expressed her condolences on Instagram: "The art has lost one of the most important symbols of comedy in Egypt and the Arab world, Samir Ghanem. May God have mercy on him. Art has lost much with his departure. He was an irreplaceable artist. My heartfelt condolences to the family, and may God heal Dalal and restore her to full health, God willing."
Egyptian artist Salah Abdullah wrote on his Facebook page: "Egypt's laughter will not die, and you will continue to make us and our children and grandchildren laugh. Al-Fatiha, and I hope you will not stop praying for him."
Artist Hani Ramzy mourned the late artist on Twitter, writing: "Your death news is really hard, Samoura. You were our joy and laughter, and any words said cannot do you justice as an artist and a human. But of course, we only remain to God; this is the cycle of life. My condolences to the family and every Egyptian and Arab in the world. May God grant us all solace and patience in your absence."
Finally, artist Adel Imam mourned Samir Ghanem on Facebook, saying: "Goodbye, Samir... goodbye, my beloved... I will miss you a lot."
