19-4-09
He called me "FATSUMA" which I always didn't like as a child because its "FATIMA" not the old people Fatsuma but meh I got used to it in a short while.
Its always hard for me to believe I was his "favorite" because a day never went by without him sending me on errands for more than 5 times. It always goes like FATSUMAAA & there I come running like an athlete (Usain Bolt ain't got nothing against that) and then he speaks "Go and bring me some water". I'm always like "but baba cant you just say FATSUMAA WATER so I don't take two trips?" but most of the times I get lucky to receive a handful of sweets, fruits, coins or other goodies instead of the usual errands.
Back on the errands, I ran his errands so much my grandmother gets tired and point out "are you the only child in the house or doesn't he know your sister's name?. I followed her advice one day and kept quite, poor man called like five times and when there was no reply, he shouted "Bilki" and we all burst out laughing saying "Oh so he knows there are other kids in the house" .
As a kid, I always ask him to stop calling me "Fatsuma" and call me "MUFIDA" & he replied "Look your name is Fatsuma, I can't call you this modern names Fufida or Mufifa or whatever it is" When I look back now, I realized he was the last person to ever call me by my First name & I feel sad about every single day I asked him not to.
This is to a man we cherish so much, the strongest man I've ever come across, the man who taught me a lot of things, who taught me the values of the hijab, the man who's call to prayer send me running to follow the jam'i, the man who showered me with gifts every single day of his life non-stop (even on his sick bed).
Its been 5years today but the pain in my heart is still the same. we miss you Baba. You lived a great life full of love, sharing, respect and kindness (the least I can mention because I could go on and on with a never ending list.). May Allah's noor illuminate your Qabr and may His Rahma forever be with you. Ya Allah bless my grandfather and all of the Muslim ummah with Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen
Dedicated to my Father:
Sadiq Kassim
Written 21-3-13 (I wanted to wait for the perfect time to show you)
He is always with us in mind and soul.
Mal Kassim Ali (19th April 2009)
He called me "FATSUMA" which I always didn't like as a child because its "FATIMA" not the old people Fatsuma but meh I got used to it in a short while.
Its always hard for me to believe I was his "favorite" because a day never went by without him sending me on errands for more than 5 times. It always goes like FATSUMAAA & there I come running like an athlete (Usain Bolt ain't got nothing against that) and then he speaks "Go and bring me some water". I'm always like "but baba cant you just say FATSUMAA WATER so I don't take two trips?" but most of the times I get lucky to receive a handful of sweets, fruits, coins or other goodies instead of the usual errands.
Back on the errands, I ran his errands so much my grandmother gets tired and point out "are you the only child in the house or doesn't he know your sister's name?. I followed her advice one day and kept quite, poor man called like five times and when there was no reply, he shouted "Bilki" and we all burst out laughing saying "Oh so he knows there are other kids in the house" .
As a kid, I always ask him to stop calling me "Fatsuma" and call me "MUFIDA" & he replied "Look your name is Fatsuma, I can't call you this modern names Fufida or Mufifa or whatever it is" When I look back now, I realized he was the last person to ever call me by my First name & I feel sad about every single day I asked him not to.
This is to a man we cherish so much, the strongest man I've ever come across, the man who taught me a lot of things, who taught me the values of the hijab, the man who's call to prayer send me running to follow the jam'i, the man who showered me with gifts every single day of his life non-stop (even on his sick bed).
Its been 5years today but the pain in my heart is still the same. we miss you Baba. You lived a great life full of love, sharing, respect and kindness (the least I can mention because I could go on and on with a never ending list.). May Allah's noor illuminate your Qabr and may His Rahma forever be with you. Ya Allah bless my grandfather and all of the Muslim ummah with Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen
Dedicated to my Father:
Sadiq Kassim
Written 21-3-13 (I wanted to wait for the perfect time to show you)
He is always with us in mind and soul.
Mal Kassim Ali (19th April 2009)
