Prof. Ahmad Y Al-Zoabi

*Honoring Engineer Hani Hakki on the 40th Day of His Passing

Forty days after the passing of Engineer Hani Hakki — affectionately known as Abu Ibrahim — Jordan continues to commemorate one of its foremost engineering pioneers. A visionary consultant, mentor, and institutional leader, Hakki played a decisive role in shaping the Kingdom’s modern infrastructure and in cultivating generations of engineers who continue to advance national development. His professional achievements, ethical principles, and unwavering commitment to excellence have produced a legacy deeply embedded in both the built environment and the professional community he nurtured.

Hakki’s career began during a formative period of Jordan’s modernization, when the state was laying the foundations of its contemporary institutions and infrastructure. With the establishment of Sigma – Consulting Engineers, he founded one of the country’s most esteemed engineering institutions. Under his leadership, Sigma evolved from a traditional consultancy into a rigorous professional school distinguished by disciplined methodologies, structured training frameworks, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality.

Sigma’s contributions under Hakki’s guidance encompassed hundreds of landmark projects that shaped the physical and functional contours of modern Jordan. His influence extended beyond national borders, informing major engineering endeavors across the Arab region. These accomplishments reflected his conviction that engineering is not merely a technical profession but a national mission — one that advances state-building while cultivating the skills, discipline, and vision of future generations. Throughout his life, Hakki remained steadfastly optimistic about Jordan’s renaissance and unwavering in his loyalty to the Throne and the Hashemite family.

In addition to his technical and institutional achievements, Hakki was recognized as an innovative administrator. He developed a comprehensive administrative and archiving system at Sigma, introducing new standards of precision, transparency, and knowledge management within the Jordanian engineering sector. His emphasis on documentation, accountability, and structured knowledge transfer ensured that expertise would be preserved and accessible to generations to come.

Since the 1970s, Hakki was an active and respected figure in the Jordan Engineers Association and other professional institutions, contributing to committees and initiatives with integrity, clarity, and constructive engagement. His conduct exemplified the unity of professional responsibility and civic duty in service of the public good.

Colleagues, students, and young engineers remember Abu Ibrahim not only for his technical distinction but also for his humility, warmth, and humanity. Known for his respectful and patient approach, he combined firmness with encouragement and consistently led by example.

A dedicated reader and lifelong learner, Hakki spent weekends studying and reflecting at his retreat in the Jordan Valley. His enduring connection to Jerusalem — symbolized by a large mosaic of his family home prominently displayed in his office — remained central to his identity, expressing both his heritage and his values.

Family held a central place in his life. He often spoke of his grandchildren with deep pride and genuine affection, sharing stories of their achievements and personalities with notable warmth and joy, viewing their achievements as a continuation of the principles that shaped his own journey.

Many had hoped that Engineer Hakki would receive formal recognition during his lifetime for his pivotal contributions to Jordan’s development. That hope endures today, as colleagues and the nation look to honor him posthumously through recognition extended to his wife and children — Ibrahim, Ismail, and Yasmeen — in tribute to his extraordinary life and work.

Engineer Hani Hakki departed with the quiet dignity that characterized his life. His influence endures through the projects he realized, the institutions he strengthened, and the generations he mentored. His vision, values, and commitment to excellence remain a guiding light for Jordan’s engineering sector.

On this 40th day of his passing, we remember Abu Ibrahim not only for the structures he built, but for the lives he shaped, the standards he set, and the enduring legacy he left behind.

May his memory be eternal.

May God grant him mercy and bring comfort to his family.