Dear Editor,
Allow me please to offer these remarks on the late Mohamed Israel, a former businessman of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, who recently died in Canada. I knew Mr Israel for over 60 years, and last met with him in Canada in 2007. While some may know Mr Israel only for the progressive business that he once carried on, many will remember him for his commitment and for his work to the Muslim community of Anna Regina.
When I was growing up in the 1940s, there was an old wooden mosque at Anna Regina. Mr Israel and a few other Muslims then saw the need to replace this building with a bigger concrete structure. They were able to bring together the peasant rice-farming Muslim community to build this mosque by self-help. It was to be a gigantic effort, as the construction took several years. I remember working with the adults during the nights to make concrete blocks and to build this mosque, as the farmers were busy during the day in their rice fields. There were no tractors or combines at the time.
Mr Israel was blessed with a kind and generous heart, full with deep religious conviction. His leadership inspired the Muslim community. He spoke the least, yet, he was always in the forefront. The mosque was his second home, and he put his heart and his soul into this massive project. He was most generous during Ramadan, when he provided the Iftars. He provided the gas lamp. He gave out generously on Eid days to the poor and the needy and to the children. In his business, he provided long-term credit to Muslims and non-Muslims. He was always most polite, humble and respectful.
Mr Israel saw the need for a Muslim school and made his new and spacious warehouse available to the Muslim community. Many students attended this Maktab, where Arabic classes were held every day after school by Mr Sahib Ali (Sarbat), who was a very quiet, loving, and peaceful Imam. This school was very successful, as many students, including myself, can today recite the Arabic Quran. In spite of his business, Mr Israel made time for the Maktab and for the mosque construction. He provided the desks and benches for the Maktab, and his kind and wonderful wife treated the students every Friday to mithai. Their two sons at the time, Keith and Salim, were also very kind and friendly.
Today, the Muslim community of Anna Regina has built on the foundation left by Mr Israel and the other Muslim pioneers. The masjid has doubled in size, and there are four other buildings. There is a full-time school from kindergarten to secondary level with over 300 students and 15 full-time teachers. Three large yellow school buses provide transportation for the teachers and the students from Supenaam to Charity. I was at Anna Regina earlier this year, and my visit brought back fond memories. The mosque complex and the cemetery are about the best in Guyana.
To his dear and beloved wife, to Keith, Salim, and his many other children and grandchildren, I thank you for the work, the love, the affection and the care that Mr Israel provided to the Muslim community of Anna Regina. He lived his life unselfishly, like a candle in the night.
May Allah, the Almighty, find his work pleasing and acceptable. I pray that on the day of reckoning, the Angels of Allah will say to him: “Salaam-un-Alaikum- Enter into the Kingdom of Allah, for you have earned it.”
Inna lil’laa’he wa inna e’lai’he ra’je’oon – Verily to Allah we belong, and Verily, to Allah is our return.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Majeed
