Hasan Essa pays a tribute to his close friend and mentor, Rai Hussein Khanmohammed, who passed away peacefully in Los Angeles on September 23, 2013 just as he was about to turn 81. Ismaili institutions in Pakistan recognized his contributions to the community in a well-organized condolence and memorial meeting.
Please click: Remembering Rai Hussein Khanmohammed of Burma
Rai Hussein Khanmohamed (1932 – 2013)
ACTING IN THE PATH OF GOD
Roshan Thomas was among those who were killed by terrorists in an incident in Kabul while she was celebrating the commencement of the Persian New Year, Navruz. She was buried earlier this week in Vancouver, where almost 2000 people from all walks of life attended her funeral at the North Vancouver Ismaili Jamatkhana.
By Jalal Jaffer
Acting in the path of God
Eliminates limitations, restrictions, conceptions
In pursuit of noble actions
To sustain, promote, achieve
Enhancement, progress, understanding
Amongst God’s most beautiful creation
The human being.With clarity of mind
Determination against any odds
It was but natural
That Roshan picked a far-away geography
Hoping and pursuing and working towards
A change, some progress, any improvement
In a country, amongst a people
Engulfed in reactionary, ideological, meaningless
Battles and wars and human carnage
To what end, what purpose
Nobody could understand, far less explain
Where pre-historic level of crass ignorance
Animalistic behaviour, un-knowledge…prevailed.Her commitment to her cause
To act in the path of God
Open the minds and hearts
Of the young and the old
Especially free the girls and women
From the yoke of servitude and worse
Through schooling, through learning, through education
A cause as noble as difficult
A place as harsh as promising
An activity as demanding as fulfilling.
Was solid and uncompromising.Threats of violence and physical harm
Were ever present
Wise counsel to resist and desist
Came from all corners
None of this held her back
None of this affected her resolve
None of this dampened her spiritsAlas, the heartless ignoramus
A curse on human kind
Targeted her physical form…
Never realizing, never understanding
The spirit, earnestness, commitment
Residing in and within her
That would inspire, empower
Hundreds of new Roshans
More motivated, with greater commitment
To rise, fight and complete
Her cause, her belief, her vision
For the whole world to watch and celebrate.
Copyright: Jalal Jaffer.
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About the author: Jalal Jaffer is a practising lawyer in Vancouver.
Related: To the Memory of Roshan Thomas and Zeenab Kassam by Navyn Naran
REMEMBERING AN ISMAILI MAN OF LETTERS
Born in Kisumu, Kenya, to Rabhiabai and Kassam Janmohamed on June 6, 1931, Ameer Kassam Janmohamed was kind and generous and true to the responsibilities he had to his family and friends, his faith and the noble causes he undertook in public life from his youthful days. His long time service to the Rotarians was particularly significant.
Please click on Ameer Kassam Janmohamed (1931-2014) or photo for tribute.
Ameer Kassam Janmohamed (1931-2014), lived his life to the fullest. Please click on photo for tribute.
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“I’m afraid I have some awful, awful news to share. Our dearest, most beloved Mo passed away today on New Year’s Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at approximately 2.30 a.m. in our home here in Chiang Mai, Thailand” — Lisa S. Keary….Read More
Mohezin Tejani – author and humanitarian
Beginning September 15, 2012, Simerg started offering to all its Ismaili readers around the world an opportunity to submit memorials to honour and celebrate the lives of beloved members of their families who have physically departed this world. The memorials may be submitted in the form of (1) a simple short notice or (2) a tribute of up to 500 words for anyone who has passed away recently or since 1950. Please read more about this initiative by clicking on the image below.
Click for details of Simerg’s initiative to honour and celebrate Ismaili lives.
Last updated: April 11, 2020.
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Simerg - Insights from Around the World 