The Heartwarming Story of Ziad Rahbani and His Youngest Fan, Bissan

A heartwarming snippet of a conversation between the late Ziad Rahbani and his young fan, Bissan, is circulating on social media as people rediscover hidden gems from his past in the wake of his passing just weeks ago.

The call took place in 1996 on Sawt Al-Shaab radio, a Beirut-based station founded by the Lebanese Communist Party. The clip captures a tender moment between Ziad and a young Bissan Zayyat, who regularly tuned in to the radio show to dedicate songs and share her admiration. Their brief exchange has resonated deeply with fans online.

Listen to the sweet moment here:

A Snippet of their Conversation

Bissan: Marhaba
Ziad: Marhabtein
Bissan: Ana Bissan
Ziad: 3refet
Bissan: Keefak?
Ziad: Ana mni7, ente keefik?
Bissan: Mni7a
Ziad: Ba3dik mteb3a el moresaleh ma3 el 2ize3a? Min wa2ta ma sme3tik. Ana kent 3am bisma3ik kil yom wa2ta.
Bissan: Hadaytak gheniyye haydek el sabet.
Ziad: Shu hiyye el gheniyye?
Bissan: Rafi2i sobhi el-jeez
Ziad: Ah wallah? Bta3rfiya?
Bissan: Eh.

[She sings a part of the song, and Ziad tells her that Fairuz will be recording a version, too.]

Bissan: 7abbi shoufak shi marra

Ziad: Ana bkhaf enno nshoufik marra bi sir badna nshuf ba3ed yawmiyeh
Bissan: Khalto Zeinab w 3ammo Abbas 2alouli eno enta dayman btesma3ni
Ziad: Eh dayman, 3am y2oloolik ye mazboot…

The Song Bissan Dedicated to Ziad

The song that Bissan dedicated to Ziad Rahbani was Rafi’i Sobhi Al-Jeez (رفيقي صبحي الجيز), composed by him and famously sung by Fairuz.

Sobhi El Jeez is a fictional character created by Ziad for an unfinished play from the mid-1970s. He’s depicted as a poor, hardworking sanitation worker in Beirut who, despite his modest job, is politically conscious and deeply committed to social justice.

As the story unfolds, a young musician learns that Sobhi is much more than a sanitation worker. He’s an ambitious young communist who joined the Communist Party with strong conviction. Though poverty wears on him, his dedication to the cause is stronger than any hardship.

Their friendship leads Sobhi to inspire the musician to join the Communist Party as well. This made them comrades in the fight alongside Beirut’s working class and revolutionaries. The song Rafi’i Sobhi El Jeez honors this character’s strength and spirit, reflecting the lives of Beirut’s marginalized during a turbulent time.

Where Is Bissan Now?

In a recent interview with Masr Times, Bissan talked about how although Ziad left this world, he never left her. Growing up, his music constantly echoed in their home. She described how his voice wasn’t just sound but a comforting presence, like a family member who was always there, even if unseen.

Bissan recalled the unforgettable moment when, as a child, she called him live on air during a radio interview. That brief conversation sparked a bond that stayed with her through the years, shaping her understanding of art, kindness, and resistance.

Now, with children of her own, she’s likely to pass down Ziad’s influence and legacy.

Want to learn more about Ziad’s most iconic compositions? Click here to read more!