A guide and source of love

The eldest of seven siblings born to the late Mr. & Mrs. G B Khan, she was a tower of strength to all her younger siblings, including me. Showering us with love and kindness, she was a second mother to us, guiding and disciplining us in our formative years, efficiently and tactfully and with much understanding.

Zarina ‘Buwa', as we all called her respectfully and lovingly, grew up to be a tall, graceful and elegantly beautiful young lady. There were many suitors for her hand, but a tall handsome young police officer named Izzadeen, who was also a relative, “arrested” her. Months after her happy wedding, we felt a dent and a void in our lives, as our darling Buwa had to leave us, to join her husband in his new home. We were despondent but she cheered us promising to visit us often.

They were a happily married couple; she was mother to five children - two sons and three

Zarina Buwa lived a happy and contented life; she was the matriarch of the family -- loved and respected, generous and philanthropic

daughters. After 35 years of married life, Buwa was shocked and saddened by her husband's death of a heart attack. Very much later Buwa was devastated when she lost her second daughter Rukshan, the mother of two young boys and it took her a period of time in solace and prayer to regain her composure. When Buwa was a young lady we lost our elder brother Haroun Rasheed which was a moment of intense regret. It was three years ago that we had the misfortunate of losing Jezima Usman our youngest sister. Buwa too was deeply affected by the loss.

Death is the cause for sorrow, so let us dwell on the happiness of life.

Zarina Buwa lived a happy and contented life; she was the matriarch of the family -- loved and respected, generous and philanthropic. She was blessed with many great grandchildren too.

Today is the fortieth day since you left us. I write with a heavy heart darling Buwa, your siblings, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will feel the huge void left by you. May Allah grant you the bliss of “Jennathul Firdhouse”