He saved my life during a robbery
FROM the loss of loved ones to the birth of their children, Tevin Basheer and Kashif Ally have been at each other’s side.
Basheer, 27, a sales trainer, said he met Ally, 27, a sales agent, both of Phoenix, while in high school. He said while they were not close at first, a friendship grew after Ally saved him during an attempted robbery.
“We never really spoke much until one Friday when a group of us left school to attend mosque and I was almost robbed. I was walking behind the group when three men with knives surrounded me.
“I just got a new phone and one of them held a knife to my neck. I froze. Kashif turned around and ran to my aid. It is because of him that I am alive today. We became friends, and today, he is my brother. We even call each other’s parents mom and dad.”
Basheer, a father of one, said: “One of the best moments we experienced was when we attended each other’s weddings and then we became dads. We always said we hoped our children would also grow up together and share the kind of relationship we have.”
Ally, a father of two, said: “Basheer is one call away and I am his. He was there for me when I lost my brother and I was there for him and his family when his grandparents passed away.
“We are family. We have a brotherhood and we will always protect each other.”
He said it was important to teach children to not discriminate and to have self-love.
“Tevin’s daughter and my children are of mixed race and when they are older, we will teach them the importance of self-love, as well as to love and respect everyone, even if their skin type or hair texture is different.”
Ally said before the pandemic, they were often at each other's homes or on family outings. “We hope to have those days again soon.”