Tarek Ben Halim
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Tarek Ben Halim | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 4 December 1955 |
| Died | 11 December 2009 (aged 54) |
| Occupation | Investment banker |
| Known for | Founder of Alfanar |
| Spouse | Cynthia Oakes |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Mustafa Ben Halim |
| Relatives | John Bertram Oakes (father-in-law) |
Tarek Ben Halim (4 December 1955 – 11 December 2009) was a Libyan investment banker who later transitioned into charitable work and advocacy for justice and democracy in the Arab World. In 2000, he left the banking sector to focus on his philanthropic efforts.[1] In 2004, Ben Halim founded Alfanar, an organization that describes itself as the first Arab venture philanthropy organization. The organization aims to introduce a more effective and sustainable approach to development within the Arab region.[2]
Early life
[edit]Ben Halim was born in Tripoli, Libya, on 4 December 1955. His mother, Yusra Kanaan, was Palestinian, and his father, Mustafa Ahmed Ben Halim, was a Libyan of Egyptian descent. Mustafa Ben Halim served as the Prime Minister of Libya from 1954 to 1957 and as Libya's Ambassador to France from 1958 to 1960.
Following the 1969 coup that brought Muammar Gaddafi to power, Ben Halim and his family were exiled. They initially moved to Beirut before eventually settling in London. He was educated at Atlantic College in Wales before studying finance at the University of Warwick. Ben Halim later received an MBA from Harvard Business School.[3]
Career
[edit]Halim had a career in investment banking, holding positions at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse First Boston, and Goldman Sachs, where he became a managing director. In 2000, he was responsible for the $2 billion flotation of Turkcell, which, at the time, was the largest emerging market IPO.[4]
Ben Halim’s exile from Libya, along with the stories of his mother’s flight from Palestine, reportedly had a significant influence on his belief in justice and democracy as essential tools for improving the lives and communities of the Arab world.[5] In a commentary piece published in The Los Angeles Times in February 2003, he criticized "self-serving, unrepresentative governments that have, with few exceptions, ruled the Arab world since the 19th century. Halim expressed the hope that the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq in 2003 would lead to similar changes in leadership across the Arab region, and he volunteered to work with the British forces. He was appointed Deputy Director of private sector development with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). However, Ben Halim soon became frustrated with the CPA's approach. He stated that he "felt that the occupying force seemed more focused on quick gain rather than building a sustainable framework that would survive its departure." As a result, he resigned from his role after only a few months.[6]
Alfanar and investment banking
[edit]In 2004, Tarek Ben Halim founded Alfanar (meaning "lighthouse" in Arabic). The organization aims to support the development of civil society in the Arab world by promoting the growth of organizations that address long-term community needs in disadvantaged areas.[7]
Death
[edit]Tarek Ben Halim died on 11 December 2009, at the age of 54, after being diagnosed with brain cancer 14 months earlier. He was married to Cynthia Oakes, a Princeton graduate and the daughter of U.S. journalist John Bertram Oakes.[8] His obituary in The Guardian described him as "a man of high principle and humour.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Thomas, Gina (13 January 2010). "Tarek Ben Halim". the Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ Alfanar. "Our Founder". Alfanar's founder. Alfanar. Archived from the original on 25 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ "Tarek Ben Halim". The Daily Telegraph. London. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ Thomas, Gina (13 January 2010). "Tarek Ben Halim Obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ "Tarek Ben Halim Sought Arab Economic Unity". Archived Edition. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Tarek Ben Halim Sought Arab Economic Equity". Vineyard Gazette. 17 December 2009.
- ^ Giving, Inspiring. "A guide to giving". Tarek Ben Halim. Philanthropy UK. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ "Cynthia Oakes, Tarek Ben Halim". Weddings. 20 December 1992. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ Odriscoll, David (16 January 2010). "Tarek Ben Halim". talented financier who cared deeply for Middle East. Retrieved 27 June 2011.