Hamid Abdul Karim

Two weeks ago when our dear friend Hamid Abdul Karim came home in the night to tell me that he had decided to go on Haj with his wife, I was pleased.

However, neither Hamid nor I realized that Allah was waiting to take Hamid from the most sacred soil for Muslims in this planet. Hamid died of heart failure on his way from Azeezia to Mina on Saturday 26, 2015 and was buried in Mecca on the following day, after noon prayers.

Hamid is lucky, as this is the kind of death that every sincere Muslim longs for.It was a shock to his family, friends and the community all of whom find it difficult to recover from the abrupt loss of one of the finest human beings who was hell bent on helping others.

Hamid, a colourful person with a great sense of humour, was known for turning even the most serious situations during discussions into a humourous one.

He spent his life helping others since his early days. It was this tendency which made him a founder of the Centre for Islamic Studies and his deep involvement in Al Amal International School,to name a few.

He served as the joint secretary of Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestinian People. He was passionate in defending the rights of the Palestinians, highlighting the atrocities of Zionist Jews towards the Palestinians and the Arabs in the region as well.

He was known for his in- depth knowledge on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. As a well read person, he contributed a great deal with his writings in promoting the true spirit of Islam and creating understanding between people of different faiths.

As part of this program, Hamid, known for his unassuming and simple lifestyle, discussed Islam and Christianity with theologians and others of different faiths.

Despite his scholarly background, Hamid born into a well- known business family and remained a businessman till his last day.

When I once asked him how a Memon from a business - oriented community was so involved in scholarly activities, his response in his own sarcastic manner was "If you ask a Memon whether he likes to go to heaven or hell, his response would be "wherever I can make some money".

Hamid has been a journalist with a cause and conviction-a generation which is fast fading under the commercialized and criminalized global political- economic environment. He fearlessly used his pen to fight for justice. This earned him the respect of all alike. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka's Muslim community which, by and large, does not understand the power of the media failed to make better use of him.

May Allah accept his deeds and grant him Jannathul Firdouse.

-Latheef Farook

When I heard the sad demise of Hameed Abdul Karim during the performance of Haj in Mecca, it reminded me of his last piece in a Sunday newspaper of August 16, 2015, titled 'A Response to Scare of Iranian Bomb.' Hameed was not afraid of confronting false propaganda with facts and figures and will not compromise truth for falsehood in his writings. I came to know Hameed Abdul Karim during the 2006 tsunami, when we formed the Tsunami Children's Educational Trust. He was spontaneous in associating himself with the rehabilitation of children orphaned by the tsunami.

At that time he was also a Director of the Centre for Muslim Ethnic Studies. In my association with writers, I have not found anyone as passionate as Hameed in his writings on issues connected with Palestine and the Arab world.

He did not always write to please anybody. He was prepared to call 'a spade a spade'.

That was Abdul Karim - like the unknown soldier- to coin a phrase, the unknown journalist, nevertheless, he was well respected. As told by Confucius "the superior man is firm in the right way not merely firm."

Hameed was also firm but in the right way. He would not give in to bullying or threats but would persevere to drive his point home in the most persuasive manner believing in what Ted Egstrom said that "The rewards for those who persevere far, exceed the pain that must precede the victory".

Hameed would not flinch at adversity and had a particular writing style that readers of his articles find it difficult to put down. Hameed Abdul Karim will be sorely missed in journalistic circles - a void that would be difficult to fill.

Hameed Abdul Karim is married but had no children but he was devoted to his wife as much as he was devoted to whatever cause

he espoused. Ms. Hameed Abdul Karim I am sure will certainly miss him as we all do and while offering our heartfelt condolences we pray to Allah to grant him a special place in paradise.

- Dr. M. Haris Z Deen