My beloved friend and partner, Yaqoub Yousef Khaled Al-Ghunaim, the brother of my dear friend Sarah and her sisters, passed away a few days ago in London. He will be laid to rest on Saturday morning at Sulaibikhat Cemetery at the age of 86. Al - Ghunaim lived a peaceful and content life, far away from conflict and drama.
He loved everyone and chose to live far from Kuwait, though he always followed its news with interest, never allowing it to weigh on his spirit. It was a beautiful summer day in 1985 when my lifelong friend, Yaqoub Al-Jouan, introduced me to Yaqoub Al- Ghunaim. At the time, he was a former army officer and the owner of a real estate office in London’s West End.
I was searching for an office for my business, and he generously offered me space in his own office, completely free of charge. He insisted on not accepting any payment, a gesture I will never forget. One day, Al-Ghunaim invited me to join him in acquiring a vacant four-story building, including a basement.
The property had once been the private residence of the Portman family, a wealthy and prominent Jewish family that later relocated outside London. The Portmans owned the entire area now known as the famous Portman Estate, including Portman Square, the Radisson SAS and Churchill hotels, the former branches of the National Bank of Kuwait and United Bank, and dozens of other elegant buildings.
Al-Ghunaim chose for himself the section located at the corner of George Street and Cloister Street, while I took the rear part of the ground floor, which had been the ballroom and family celebration hall. We rented out the remaining floors to other companies. The basement contained a safe for storing the family’s valuables, secured by an iron door nearly 150 years old.
Every detail of the building was part of British heritage, and no modifications could be made without approval from the relevant authorities. Al-Ghunaim (Abu Yousef) was born in 1939 and he embraced the philosophy of Abu al-Ala al-Ma’arri, choosing a life without marriage or children. He attended the Industrial College before becoming an army officer and undergoing training in Britain. From that time on, his love for Britain and Vera became his passion.
Over nearly half a century, he returned to Kuwait only three or four times, mainly to offer condolences to family and loved ones. In the mid-1960s, he was appointed military attaché in Egypt, where he witnessed the wars of 1967 and 1973. Later, he accepted a lucrative early retirement offer, leaving Kuwait to settle in London, his lifelong passion. He never cared for the hustle and bustle of the Manakh market, the soaring land prices, or the massive business deals that held no meaning for him. I never heard him lament any loss, as the routine of his elegant bohemian lifestyle was, to him, the greatest wealth in the world.
Beyond our partnership in the office and the building, many things connected us psychologically and emotionally. Al-Ghunaim was known for his cheerful spirit, dependability in difficult times, honesty, and steadfast commitment to his promises. He was punctual, possessed great integrity, had an impeccable circle of loved ones, and had a deep understanding of the human psyche. His authenticity shone through during the Iraqi invasion and occupation, when he became a pillar of support for many citizens. There are many amusing and beautiful experiences that we shared. He was a horse racing enthusiast, well-versed in all types of races and their schedules, and knowledgeable about the major horse owners, as well as the history of each horse and jockey. He was a trusted reference for many who sought advice or tips on the odds of winning a particular race.
Al-Ghunaim was a distinguished and unique individual, beloved by all who knew him. I will leave many other details of our relationship to my modest, colorful autobiography. We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Al-Ghunaim, Al-Ghanim, and Al-Qatami families.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
