He inspired me with tales of his travels and other cultures

My memory of uncle Faiz runs back as far as to the time when I just turned eight, when my parents occupied his house. Ever since then, he was an inspiration throughout all the milestones in my life – a personality I always looked up to.

A Charted Accountant, graduate in Geography, ardent traveller and culture enthusiast, uncle Faiz was the first to ignite in me the passion for diverse languages and cultures as he encouraged me to pursue French, something I would have never imagined learning otherwise.

He was ever so generous in sharing the amazing stories from his travels to many countries which mesmerised me. Indeed he was one of the humblest persons I have ever known.

When I got selected to the university, uncle Faiz gifted me a computer which I am using to this day. Taking a walk down memory lane, sometimes I feel I was too young to share his wisdom back then. Upon completion of my Master’s in Linguistics, I feel I could have indulged in many conversations if uncle Faiz had been around.

Marking two years since he passed away in London on February 10, 2020, I cannot help but think he was gone too soon.

Uncle Faiz has indeed been family to me; he will be missed and always remembered by all who knew him.