Memories of your generous spirit will never fade

I write this appreciation with a profound sense of sorrow. I received your usual call on Thursday, March 10 after Esha prayer, inquiring about my health and wellbeing. And on Friday, my younger brother called me to say that you had passed away early in the morning, proving the dictum that death hangs over our heads like the “Sword of Damocles” in the midst of life. Did you have a premonition of your death, dear brother?

The news was heart-rending and sent shock waves all over me. Brother, it was Almighty Allah’s Rule of Law that you should leave this earth on a Friday, a day important for followers of Islam. Moreover, you had a peaceful death without suffering.

It had been your practice to call me two or three times a week after Magrib or Esha prayers . These regular conversations proved a soothing balm to me in those times of restrictions and lockdowns.

You entered the world of work after successfully completing your secondary education, considering our family circumstances. You joined the National Milk Board as a Dairy Assistant, receiving training at the headquarters in Narahenpita.

Later, you were posted to Nattandiya, leaving our family home at a young age and thereafter to Polgahawela. When you got a promotion as Dairy Manager, it was a feather in your cap. You went on a FAO scholarship for further training in the art of milk testing technology to two of the world’s leading milk producing countries, Denmark and New Zealand, in 1976. You achieved this through devotion and dedication to duty.Thereafter, you were posted to be in charge of milk collecting centres in places like Batticaloa, Akmeemana, Labuduwa, etc. where you were given furnished quarters. You invited our parents to stay for a week or two and I too have enjoyed your hospitality and goodwill. I look back on those happy times when you were very busy but as happy as a lark. When you were in charge of these centres, you used to tell us when you rejected barrels of milk for not meeting the required standards, and how dairy farm owners offered tempting bribes. But with your honesty and integrity you never yielded in accordance with your Islamic principles.

I am aware that whatever you earned by honest endeavour, you gave generously even to our relations as well and never failed in your duty towards our family. Your contributions helped me immensely in my secondary and tertiary exams.

When you left the Milk Board, you sought greener pastures in Saudi Arabia. There too, you never forgot your kith and kin. You performed the Haj pilgrimage, but never wanted to prefix your name with the title Hajji. In the Maldives where your wife was a teacher and daughters were schooling, you continued your generosity with unfailing regularity.

Your stewardship at the Milk Board was your golden years. In those days, you had a passion for all things foreign. You would spend lavishly. From outstations, you maintained a regular correspondence with our late father. Coming to our home on leave, you played your favourite mouth-organ as a pastime. I have nostalgic memories of those carefree days.

Your eldest son was indeed a tower of strength and your daughters all shared and cared for you. Almighty blessed you with caring children.

I pray my brother Zarook will be blessed with the highest place in Jennathul Firdouse. Inna Lillahi we Inna ilaihi rajioon. (From Allah do we come and to Him is our return.) M. Azhar Dawood