Farewell to A Dear Friend

My dear friend Faizal Abdul Aziz left us today, just hours after admission to hospital after he was taken ill while sitting for a paper that was to take him to the next rung of his career ladder. He was 45 years old.

I have known Faizal for many years and he was very much a member of our extended family here in London. He was a good man, generous to his friends, and loyal to his alma mater, the Malay College, of whose alumni association, MACOBA, he was an active member. Most Fridays we, our small communtiy here, would meet at the tahlil gathering in Malaysia Hall, and Faizal went on the night when he would have been there with his wife Nina and son Norman. He left us on the eve of a good day, called home to his Maker. May Allah rest his soul in peace and reward him with Jannah. Amin.

In life Faizal was an enthusiast of the Housing movement. After he left the Notting Hill Housing Association last year he was looking forward to the day when he and associates would be able to set one up for our community here, on shariah principles. But Faizal has been called before his ideas could bear fruit. We pray that his hopes shall be fulfilled by others who come after him.

When a friend dies a part of us is taken forever. We shall miss him and pray that his family be given strength and sabr in these trying times. Faizal is survived by his wife Nina and two children Norman and Farah. Alfatihah.