JOHN Sheffield in an ‘Essay in Poetry’ once wrote the following illuminating lines:-
“Of all those Arts in which the wise excel, Nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.” I have read with great shock and deep grief of the sudden demise of the late celebrated journalist, Sharief Khan.
It is an incontrovertible fact that in the galaxy of writers, Sharief was a twinkling star, a very affable gentleman who relished good writing, had a remarkable sense of humour and was gifted with an Orwellian touch in the satires that he had penned.

As a matter of fact, I loved reading his satirical pieces in the Sunday Chronicle. Sharief was a great thinker and was a highly respected journalist, not only in Guyana but in the rest of the Caribbean.

A few years ago, when I was a contributor to the Letters Section of the Guyana Chronicle during the time that he was Editor-in-Chief, I corresponded with him via e-mail on several occasions regarding the letters that I had submitted for his consideration to be published in his prestigious newspaper. I was never disappointed in his rectitude, for I have always known that Sharief loved good writing and had a penchant for literary works and intellectual interaction.

With his passing from this transient life and temporal world, Guyana and the Caribbean have lost an outstanding journalist who was a blazing torch in the highly exciting but risky world of journalism.

Nonetheless, as the renowned Roman philosopher Seneca remarked: “The whole purpose of life is preparation for death.”

I extend my sincere condolences to his mom, siblings, relatives, colleagues and friends. Perhaps, at this stage, it is apposite for me to conclude this tribute by borrowing the immortal lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet:  ‘Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet Prince.
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’

May his soul rest in peace in Allah’s loving arms until that glorious day of the Resurrection when we shall kneel at His feet.