Mr Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad

Who was Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad?

Mr Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad, also known as Sarkis Lahoud Ishaq, was a 35 (thirty-five) year-old Syrian/Lebanese passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born in 1877 in Zaghartā, al Shamal, Lebanon, Sarkīs was a general labourer who embarked on a journey that would tragically end his life on April 15, 1912.

Early Life and Background

Family Roots in Lebanon

Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad came from a large family in Lebanon:

• Parents: Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad and Mantūrah Dahdah
• Birthplace: Zaghartā, al Shamal, Lebanon
• Residence: Ihdin, Zaghartā

Personal Life

Sarkīs had established a family of his own before his fateful journey:

• Wife: Jamīlah (née Makkārī)
• Children:
  1. Lahhūd
  2. Mantūrah
  3. Widād
  4. Butrus

What Led Sarkīs to Board the Titanic?

Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad’s decision to board the Titanic was influenced by family circumstances:

1. Previous experience in the USA
2. Parents living in America
3. Father’s illness and return to Lebanon
4. Mother’s solitude in Philadelphia

His father’s petition for Sarkīs to travel to Philadelphia and care for his lone mother became the catalyst for his journey on the Titanic.

Titanic Journey Details

Embarkation and Ticket Information

Traveling Companions

Sarkīs was not alone on his journey. He was accompanied by several others from his local area, including:

• Tannūs Butrus-Ka’wī
• Hannā Mikā’īl Māmā
• The Nakid family

Fate During the Disaster

Tragically, Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. His body, if recovered, was never identified. This third-class passenger became one of the many victims of the disaster, leaving behind a grieving family in Lebanon.

What Happened to Sarkīs’ Family After the Tragedy?

In the wake of the Titanic disaster, Sarkīs’ family faced significant changes:

• His widow, Jamīlah, later remarried
• She became Mrs Mūsà Zaydan
• The fate of Jamīlah and her four children remains unknown

Legacy and Historical Significance

While Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad’s life was cut short, his story contributes to the broader narrative of the Titanic disaster. It highlights the diverse backgrounds of the ship’s passengers and the far-reaching impact of the tragedy on families across the globe.

“Sarkīs Lahhūd Ishaq Mu’awwad’s journey from Lebanon to the Titanic encapsulates the hopes, dreams, and ultimate tragedy of many third-class passengers seeking a better life across the Atlantic.”

His story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the Titanic disaster, particularly among third-class victims, and the lasting impact on families left behind.