Ode to a true gentleman teacher
I got to know Naufel Sir, through his sister-in-law Zahira Ramjan who was a moulavi and teacher herself. Sir had the highest respect and regard for her. I am ever so grateful to her for having introduced him to me.
Naufel Sir was a man of diminutive stature but his knowledge of the world and spirituality was so great, that any student who had the privilege to have him as a teacher would understand that you cannot learn from him without being inspired by his love and desire for learning and teaching. If wealth could be measured in terms of knowledge, Naufel Sir was the wealthiest person I have ever known.
He was born on November 23, 1942. His father was Abdul Majeed who was a “katheeb” in the Kandy Katukele Jumma masjid and his mother was Ummu Salma. He had two sisters and four brothers. He studied at Kingswood College Kandy and graduated from the University of Peradeniya with a B.A. He also gained a postgraduate diploma in Education and English.
He married Naseema Cassim and they had three children, two sons and a daughter - Mohamed Imran, Fathima Zeeniya and Mohamed Hasan. After the untimely death of his beloved wife in 1992, he married Sitthi Zeena.
He had an illustrious career spanning 45 years in the field of education. He had taught in a number of schools and institutions such as the Gampola Zahira College, government schools in Mawanella, Nuwara Eliya and Galhinna and the Darul Hasanaath Academy Warakapola.
There was humility in his knowledge. He would never impose his ideas on you, but would patiently listen - that is how much respect he gave to others’ opinions. The more he knew, the more humble he became. Learning and teaching were his greatest passions. He could make even the dullest subject interesting.
He was also a prolific reader, who could talk on any subject and you would think that he was an expert in that field. I have not seen a man so much in love with knowledge and teaching. He had a great impact not only on his students but on anyone having the good fortune of interacting with him.
Generally most people are either knowledgeable about religion or secular studies but Naufel Sir was expert in both fields. I pray that almighty Allah admit him to “janathul firdause” and elevate his status. He touched the lives of so many students around the country, and his legacy continues to inspire, guide and live through them.This beautiful human being left this world to join his maker on the June 27, 2019.
When I went to see him just a few days before he passed away, I told him “Sir I want my daughter, who is nine to know you, can you please pose for a photograph”. This was the last picture that I captured of him.