Hussam Fathi Mahajna

9 Nov 2005 -- Hussam Fathi Mahajna, 36, an Israeli Arab businessman from Umm al-Fahm, was among the 57 people murdered in simultaneous attacks by three suicide bombers in Amman on Wednesday night (9 November). More than 300 were wounded in the attacks.

The targets of the bombers were three luxury hotels: the Radisson, Days Inn, and Grand Hyatt. Mahajna was a guest at a wedding held at the Radisson Hotel, which is known to be popular with Israeli tourists. Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsiblity for the bombings.

Mahajna was a well known businessman, who began with a successful paint manufacturing business and recently expanded his interests by establishing private medical emergency clinics with a partner, Muhammad Jabrin. His business took him to Jordan frequently.

"He told me this was his 144th visit to Jordan in the past three years," Jabrin told Haaretz. "He had lots of friends in Amman and felt at home there. I was with him on some of the visits, and we never feared for our safety. Hussam tried to persuade me to come on the trip, and at the last minute I decided not to go."

Hussam Fathi Mahajna was buried in Umm al-Fahm. He is survived by a wife, daughters aged 10 and seven, and a seven-month-old son.