Houssam Abiad’s new global top job: From the City of Churches to the City of Mosques
Former deputy lord mayor Houssam Abiad’s new job has been revealed – he’s been given the daunting task of preparing a city for what is arguably the world’s biggest event.
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SA businessman Houssam Abiad has made a permanent move to the Middle East for a job at the “global level”.
The Advertiser can reveal the former deputy Adelaide Lord Mayor is now based in Saudi Arabia where he will help manage the holiest city in the Muslim world.
The 43-year-old was headhunted last year by an international recruitment agency to become the city manager for the future requirements for the Islamic city of Mecca (also spelled Makkah).
“I am very privileged to be responsible for City Management and to work as part of a team to deliver on a vision of receiving 30 million people by 2030,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night.
“It is a real credit to Adelaide that has equipped me with the passion, skills and tenacity to be able to combat this next big challenge.
“Makkah is by far the most important destination in the world for Muslims and I will approach my new job with the same humility and respect that Adelaide has instilled in me”.
The city is the birthplace of Muhammed and has a population of two million people but numbers swell to around 6 million during the famous Hajj Pilgrimage held each year in the twelfth Muslim lunar month.
With a rise in the middle class in countries such as Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Nigeria, numbers at the Hajj ceremony are predicted to jump to 30 million visitors by 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman established a Royal Commission in 2018 to consider the logistics of the city coping with the massive influx of Muslims who, under their religious vows, must visit the Grand Mosque and other holy sites at least once in a lifetime.
Heir to the throne, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused of being involved with the assassination of Saudi dissent and journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, is chair of the commission that recruited Mr Abiad.
Mr Abiad’s job, currently based in the city of Jeddah around 70km from Mecca, is full time and not contract-based.
His wife Ava – the couple was married in 2015 – will join him as soon as practicable.
A rising star of the Liberal Party, Mr Abiad shocked friends and supporters when he resigned last week from his role with the city council and as chair of the Australia Day Council – SA.
His resignation statement said he was quitting because “I am presented with an incredible opportunity, a once in a lifetime offer to be part of a team that wants to effect change at a global level”.
The Advertiser has confirmed Mr Abiad has also quit as the chair of the Council for Australia-Arab Relations.
The Council, under the direction of the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, was established by the Howard Government in January 2003 to strengthen ties between Australia and Arab countries.
The role as chair first brought Mr Abiad to the attention of Saudi officials.
A close confidante said Mr Abiad, who was born in Adelaide to Lebanese parents but grew up in Lebanon during 15 years of civil war, was a “loyal South Australian” who will return one day.
“He loves this state and city but it’s not every day you are offered a job like this,” they said.
“Money is always a consideration but this was a job he just couldn’t reject.
“He’s gone from the City of Churches to the city of mosques.”
The Advertiser understands Lord Mayor Sandy Vershoor, other close colleagues on council and senior staff were informed about Mr Abiad’s job offer well before he resigned last week.
Contacted by The Advertiser Mr Abiad said he had no comment except that “my clients and my business interests are confidential”.
Failed Lord Mayor candidate Mark Hamilton said yesterday he would run to fill the seat Mr Abiad left vacant at City Council.