HAVING arrived from overseas with my wife on the morning of Monday 16tth June, and just about to throw back for a few minutes, I opened a national newspapers to cool out a bit and update myself with Guyana’s news, only to be shocked at a death advertisement of a great and dear friend, a simple but most wonderful man, Brother Abdool Razack (known as Hass or Uncle Hassan), owner of Swiss Jewel House. I am extremely blessed to have been a spiritual son of his, and of his late wonderful wife, Aunty Shelia. He taught me so much of life, that I could write a book. The last message he gave me when my daughter and I visited, about five weeks ago, for her to be blessed by him, as she was leaving for studies in oriental medicine was a quote from the Holy Quran: “Believing men and women should marry believing men and women.” in the short discourse that followed it was agreed that it applied to all religions. I think he had a deep reason why he mentioned this to us.

Then I turned another page and I saw tributes to another great and wonderful friend, the late and great Pandit Prakash Gossai. This even saddened me further and placed me in great depression and wonder. Reality is such that within days lives could change and magnificent people gone forever and there is nothing anyone of us can do. Such is the mortality of life.

Uncle Hassan and his family and I got to know each other for about thirty one years, one year before I started my business without capital ($7.50). The lovd that welcomed me at their home and in their family was astonishing. They were amazingly graceful people, living a truly God-respecting and humanity loving life. No one could come to their home and leave without being filled. No one in need will leave their home unwelcome,

Be it in need of a small piece, emotional support and or love.

For the last three decades, there is hardly a week that Uncle Hassan would not call us and all his friends. There was no funeral in the country that he would not show, even at only slightly knowing the people, or hearing of them from a family or friend. He and his wife would always walk their friends and those in need over troubled waters. I know many people in this country and many other countries, but I have never seen any other family like this one. They were one of a kind; I call it the end of an era. There was never an occasion that at functions of family and friends they would not volunteer to cook the curry, or make some sweets. Even if not necessary, they always would come along with something of their own as a gesture of love.

This man, Uncle Hassan, rode his bicycle for 40 years, never drove a car, even though he had means, would even visit impromptu the then Prime Minister with his old bicycle and short pants, and be welcomed in. When I had nothing, he towed me on his bicycle to find a room to rent in Charles Street, in early 1979, the year I started my business. He dined with Ambassadors, and treated all as Kings. He never used a bad word, never a sour face, always wearing a smile, as the mark of the man. Even in his coffin he smiled, probably knew he was going, and longed to be with his beautiful wife and son who recently left this world also. God rests your soul Uncle Hassan.

The other true Ambassador of Peace of the country, world and religion, Pandit Prakash Gossai, left the world simply, yet he moved a nation, and touched lives. I am sorry I knew him only after his remigration to Guyana. He was such a sincere personality, working with vigour to bring unity to Hindus, with respect to all religious communities. He ever uttered a harsh word about another religion, always reaching out, always touching hearts, always teaching. He cared so much for people, in particular the youths, not only of his religion, but all youths. He tried to keep them from delinquency and from suicides, and wanted to move to the other communities of Guyana. But the will of God would not permit. He was called by the Creator.

I know for a fact that he was hurt, terribly sad that someone with power had instructed he should not enter Mandirs managed by him. When we spoke of it, he even suggested: “Rosh, talk to the man, ask him why, I want nothing Rosh, all I want is to give.” He had no desire to control hearts, minds nor properties. All he wanted was to teach, preach and sing his songs of peace. But he was very hurt.

I honestly believe that in this age, only those who are kind to religions, respect and love all will be blessed by god and can see god.

I am an Ambassador of Peace of the Universal Peace Federation, but with the works of a giant of a man like Prak, make me feel like a child. I even invited him to become an Ambassador of Peace of the Federation, he accepted, and was to be appointed in August, 2009. Of course he already was a Peace Ambassador; we merely would have certified him. His message, his love, his grace, his personality, and his melodious voice made him the KING OF PEACE. Yes, life goes on, but some people are so hard to replace.

May his soul rest in peace, as the peace he gave to the world through his voice and his music. His smile will linger forever in my heart.
HAJI ROSHAN KHAN