Sunday, January 21, 2024, marks the 3rd anniversary of the death of my beloved mum, Alwaeza Maleksultan Merchant, who passed away at the age of 89, shortly after contracting COVID-19. The brief tribute that was penned in her memory after her death, elicited hundreds of responses from around the world, honouring her life of service to the Jamat, its institutions and the Imam-of-the-Time. She was extremely popular among her students in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and London, England.
My mother was also a wonderful speaker, and the waezs (sermons) that she delivered were very well received by Ismaili congregations around the world. Hundreds of students she taught — many of whom went on to become, and still are, leaders in the Ismaili community — have always expressed their immense respect and gratitude for her shining example of hard work and inspiring teaching.
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On January 20, when I went to convey my condolences to Shirin Harji on the sudden demise of her son, Rahim, who passed away a day earlier (January 19) at the age of 41, she and her sister-in-law, Shamim, told me about the impact of my mum as their teacher in Dar es Salaam in the 1960s.
They said that whenever the Ginan (Hymn) Satgur Avea Kain Apane Duwar is recited in the Jamatkhana they always think of “Mrs. Merchant” — as she was fondly called — because she entrenched the Ginan firmly in their hearts. Shirin, I may note, recites beautiful Ginans. Of course, I am in deep shock over Rahim’s death, whose father Salim — my beloved friend of 60 years — passed away six months ago on July 13, 2023. Please read my tribute to Salim. Thus, I was deeply touched when Shirin and Shamim spoke about my late mum.
On this day as her entire family of children, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, two surving sisters, as well as her nieces and nephews and indeed friends remember her, Simerg is pleased to refer readers to a beautiful article Varas Ismail Gangji: The Turning Point that she penned for the special series I Wish I’d Been There.
Upon my mum’s retirement from professional duties, her students in London presented her with a rich 40 page tribute of photographs and textual material that reflected their appreciation and affection for her. I present a couple of images from the volume as well as a photograph of my parents with my daughter Nurin shortlty after her birth.
On this day of remembrance of my mum, as well as a day on which I have been deeply affected by the untimely death of Rahim Harji, I pray for the souls of my parents, Rahim and Salim Harji, and all the deceased members of the Ismaili community. May their souls rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
During times of bereavement, Muslims seek and find inspiration and strength from the following Qur’anic verse:
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
“Surely we belong to God and to Him we return” — Holy Qur’an, 2:156.
Date posted: January 20, 2024.
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