IN recent times we have commenced losing to death some our finest of the earlier generation.

Most recent is the passing of a magnificent son of the soil, the indomitable Brother Frederick Cox, of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA).  He was a mighty Ambassador of Peace, etching his name in history as he pioneered many organizations for the benefit of humanity in this country. Even when I worked with him and others to build ‘Men against Violence against Women’ which helped to foster and inspire other similar projects, such as ‘Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence.’ 

His was an ever smiling face of True Love.  He was dynamic, original and also inspiring.  I will miss him, even though we saw each other but few times per year.  He would always call upon me to represent the Islamic community, and offer prayers and blessings at all functions he presided over, even asking me to get alternates if I could not make it.  He respected all religions and humanity.  I will miss this son of Guyana immensely.

I recall the passing of a man born to be Peace Ambassador, the late and great, the disciplined and the loving brother, Shahabudeen McDoom, Attorney-at-Law, and vice president of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana.  He was a negotiator and mediator par-excellence, finest of his kind, full of wisdom, always imbued with words of guidance.  He has mediated many disputes for free, especially in causes of religious disputes and family strife.  Ever-smiling, a gentleman to the bone, yet no one ever knew his enduring pain, which he withstood alone, and only with his God and his closest family.  I have missed this man so much, that as I write tears accumulate.  He will sit with Kings, Ambassadors, and the simple citizens in similar dignity and peace.  He would sit with the Hindus and Christians in comfort as he would the varied factions of Islam.  He would condemn none, judge none.  He believed in the oneness of God and the Brotherhood of Man.  He was Divine Devotee of the Lord.  May his soul rest in perpetual bliss with his beloved prophet of Islam!

This other brother simply left the earth, as if he just faded away, as the simple life he lived.  Notwithstanding, in his ever active lifetime, he was a powerhouse, despite his simplicity, though successful in career, even serving a Regional Executive Officer of Region 3, I am speaking of  Sheikh (Learned and Beloved Brother) Shaffeik.  He was an active executive member of the Ethnic Relations Commission, representing the Muslims, but respectful to all.  He was an active member of the Dar-ul-Uloom (Islamic Missionaries catering for the Islamic Community, and Education).  With them, for them and his personal joy in service to Man and God, he travelled the world, at his expense for propagation of his religion, and worked as an Ambassador of Peace.  He travelled throughout Guyana and the Caribbean, Asia and North America for the cause of religion, always a positive work, always a fresh and invigorating smile; I would say ‘The Fertilizing Smile.’  It was contagious never annoyed, never annoying kind of smile and hug.  When he sees one he knows or is introduced to, he will hug them, close to his bosom, and not release them for at least three minutes, during which time he will pass on his positive thoughts and vibrations, thoughts and wishes of love, goodwill, peace. 

He suddenly fell ill, and lost his speech for a number of years, and in silence he suffered but accepted his fate as destiny.  It was painful for him as he used that voice at thousands of functions to educate and preach, speaking at times for four hours non-stop, always inspiring, never boring, always educative and dynamic.  Having visited him at his beloved daughter’s home to pray with him, get his blessings and bless him as well during his illness, we cried and hugged several times, and as I was about to depart he presented me a treasure, a most valuable treasure, a book, how to be a better you, by a Christian evangelist.  This evangelist quotes from the bible were inspiring, and he, and later I, noted similar quotes from the Holy Quran near the writers Biblical quotes.  The writer is a renowned Inspirational and Motivational speaker, using science and religion to teach people to become better human beings. My brother presented me that book with his divine love; little did we know it was his permanent farewell gift to me, which he knew I would share with others in talks and on the Electric Mosque’s Teachings of Islam.  As I stepped out, accompanied by his daughter to the gate, I, as if inspired asked that she take it for him to sign as a legacy of love to me, and he did.  Not long after he died.  I was out of the country, but cried my heart out, knowing that he had gone with patience and peace, as he lived his life and accepted his fate.  May he rest with his beloved and the beloved of God almighty, Prophet Muhammad (on whom be Peace and Blessings). 

A giant of man, and an icon indeed was the Pandit, the revered, the eloquent, the teacher and friend, the ever Loving Pandit Prakash Gossai.  He was one of the giants like those above, who has ‘Left His Footprints in the Sands of Time for Posterity.’  He was a touchier of hearts with his wisdom and love for all, never discriminatory, never a harsh word.  He was one who would turn his cheek to be slapped a second time on the other side if slapped or cursed.  He was one who would have blessed those that curse him.  I wrote a stirring tribute to him a few weeks ago which was published.  This eloquent user of appropriate words and song in music form believed in universal acceptance.  He was never a critique to other faiths.  When will we see another like him?  Cherish your heroes Guyanese! Cherish them, for in a twinkling of an eye, they are no more, gone forever my friends.  May his soul reign supreme in the planet of his deities!

The wondrous voice of speech and broadcasting, the haunting melody of his persona and Divine Love, his Ayube Hamid Show and the immortalized Indian Memory Album, which spanned decades, will surely be missed by all Guyanese.  Amazingly, as all of the above personalities, he was also a born Ambassador of Peace, never critical of another’s religion or views.  Even as President of the Queenstown Jama Masjid for decades, he ensured that the Masjid was open to all Muslims, in a discussion with him, he told me that all Muslims, of any Sect can pray there, and he hoped the legacy continue after his passing.  

His was a man with a magnetic and ever-loving personality, bubbling with effervescence and Holiness.  He is another monumental loss to our beloved Guyana.  May he rest with his beloved holy prophet Muhammad – on whom be the peace and blessings of the Almighty Creator.

Most recent is the passing of quite a youngster still I would say, who was ever active, kind, gentle and dynamic, Tony Amres.  He was the son of the Security Icon and businessman, Mr. Maurice Amres, and Tony was the CEO of Ready-mix.

Having to put down a son is no easy task for any father.  It is sons who should bury fathers and not fathers burying sons!  As a father myself, I can imagine the pains in the heart of Maurice.  I pray that the soul of Tony rests, and that the father, and other near beloved relatives find peace and acceptance of a harsh reality.    

I will truly miss all these great sons of Guyana, gone forever of this world, but who can live in our hearts forever.  Let us all strive to be honorable and live a God-Loving and God-Living Life, as no one knows for whom the bell will toll next.
HAJI ROSHAN KHAN
President
GUYANA ISLAMIC FORUM for EDUCATION, PEACE AND RELIGIOUS SOLIDARITY