Nabil El Habbaki

Nabil El Habbaki, loving family man, died in Houston on the 27th of May 2024, at 77 years of age.  He was born on the 30th of September 1946, in El Chiah, Lebanon.

He studied in the Lycee Francais school. After graduating from high school, he studied in the Lebanese University, then began his life-long career in the media and press. 

Nabil was a proud Lebanese citizen and loved Lebanon with great passion. His other passion was the media and the press. These two passions shaped his life, his writings, and his career.  

His earliest work in 1964 as an editor for the well-known “Al Hayat” newspaper in Lebanon. In 1969, he was appointed as the director of Public Relations in the editorial section at the Lebanese and Arab economy magazine issued by the Chamber of Commerce and industry of Beirut. In 1972 he worked for the National Saudi Arabia Agency office in Lebanon as an editor and reporter for the Agency. In 1975, he founded several Lebanese radio stations, and received several awards and medals. He served as managing editor of the Gazette for fifteen years without interruption and received several recognitions for writing screenplays and movies. In 1985, he managed the editorial department of ‘Shaabia’ (popular) magazine. In 1989 through 1992 he was an editor for the prestigious “Al Nahar” Arabic and International newspaper along with martyr Gebran Tueni.

In 1994 he met Julia Nader and developed a lifelong partnership with Julia that shaped his future career. Together, they founded, “Al Hader” Magazine that portrayed the Lebanese living abroad and published over 100 issues on the Lebanese Diaspora including Australia, Brazil, Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Canada and the United States. Through these international tours, Nabil got to know Houston and its Lebanese American community. Nabil was attracted by the warmth and vitality of the people in Houston and in 2010, he decided to move to Houston. Together with Julia Nader he created a magazine dedicated to reporting on local activities in Houston and celebrating the community’s rich events. This publication is the “Lebanon Times Magazine”, which was his love and pride, and it became the cornerstone of the Houston Lebanese and Arab American communities. In addition, in 2017, together with Julia Nader, he initiated a 2-Hour Radio Show Live on 106.1 FM.

Nabil’s accomplishments through Lebanon Times Magazine were recognized by the Houston Award Program Committee and received the Houston Award in the Magazine Publisher Category for the past 5 consecutive years. Thus, Lebanon Times Magazine was inducted this year into the Houston Business Hall of Fame, a distinction that is given to a small number of companies that portray excellency.

Nabil was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in October 2023. He underwent radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in the Memorial City Cancer Center. Unfortunately, his cancer progressed, and he passed away in peace and prayer among family and friends.

The El Habbaki family would like to express their gratitude to many dear friends in Houston and abroad, and the clergy in Houston, who supported Nabil through prayer and love during his illness and difficult times.

Nabil will always be remembered for being a prolific writer, a visionary, an innovative and inclusive character. He will also be remembered for his love of God, family, his country of birth, Lebanon, and his adopted city, Houston.

He is survived by his wife Julia Nader, his children Salim and Sami, and his grandchildren, Nabil, Mark, and Anthony.

Memorial contributions may be directly sent to Lebanon Times, or online through GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/b363ef90.

Services will be on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church.  Visitation starts at 6:00 pm, the Rosary will begin at 6:30 pm, and mass will be at 7:00 pm.

Thank you for visiting this memorial webpage.  Please sign the online guestbook to let the family know you were here thinking of them.