I first met AbuBakar when I was trying to arrange a sales trainings for my channel partners almost three years ago. It was impossible to meet him and not end up liking him within 10 minutes. And this started as a friendship which was not very close, but very strong. Every time we met – work or otherwise – we had fun. We used to talk about his time in the UK and he would often mention the shopping he did on his last trip for his the unborn baby. When I moved to Lahore with my family, he was one of the first people to invite us for dinner at their home.
He was the first friendly face I saw when I landed in Uganda. I joined him for a few smoke breaks when he wanted to break away from work and chat. We used to talk about how easy or hard it would be for the family to adjust in Africa. I even went around with him house hunting; we saw many houses including the one he choose to live in. He even tried to get a swimming pool put in the house for his kids but it did not work out. He had positive attitude written all over him; he really enjoyed his work and was always willing to share his experience and learn from others.
The accident which happened on Thursday, 4th October took away a good friend. Abubakar was so good at staying in touch that he responded to every SMS instantly. Whenever I wanted to know/ask anything about Uganda, I would SMS him and he would respond within minutes. So its not surprising that when I heard about the accident, the first person I sent an SMS to was AbuBakar and this time there was no reply.
I did not find out the severity of the accident till the morning when I called others in Kampala. At first I thought he would be ok if they could took him to Pakistan as they may not have the medical facilities in Kampala. And when I heard that he was being transported in the air ambulance to Lahore, I was hopeful that he will get good medical attention.
AbuBakar fought for his life for 3 days... but lost the battle. Would he have been ok if he had received medical attention right away? Would it have helped if the car was new? Would he have survived if he was wearing back seat belts? Should we have prayed harder?
We in Warid lost a great friend – someone who brought smiles to our faces in the worst of circumstances. I don’t know how we are going to get though this without him!
May Allah rest his soul... and give his family strength to get through this difficult time. Ameen
I borrow these words from WH AudenStop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Shaukat Islam, Ali Khan, Faisal Nasim & AbuBakar Fawad (in Kampala, Uganda)
Tragic indeed. Life seems to be leased on a single breath basis against our notion of years and decades.
What was the sad incident itself? A road accident, it appears.
I am posting it to TGP for wider circulation for his other industry friends.
And his Ramadan death is something that s$hould part some sabr to the colleagues.
What a tragic loss - may his soul rest in peace and Allah grant him his rightful place in heaven.
BTW - how did this tragedy occur, Africa is known o have some severe gun violence for even small petty issues.
We cannot realize even how much it is a big loss for his family, they are the real victim of this tragedy, and also it shows us how much unpredictable our life is, i remember few lines of Verve song bitter sweet symphony
'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die'
"
Thanks for writing up this post. Abubakar was one batch junior to me in college (PICS now UCP). One of the most lively person I have came across. I have been fortunate enough to be in touch with him always in his transition from Lahore to Karachi. His job at Parco. I remember his good mornings from Manchester over msn.
I still remember the day he took up his Warid job, he was so happy. The last chat we shared was around the upcoming Warid Uganda website and Mash'Allah! he was so happy to have his name up there.
This incident has changed my life for ever. May Allah bless his soul as he will stay in our hearts forever.
AB,
It was 2 AM on 5th of this month when I received a text from one of our Warid family that "AB has an accident in Uganda and will have a brain surgery shortly. Please please please pray for him". Even though I was very tired, it was too shocking that I could not make myself to sleep again for the next 2 days; we remained uncertain about his life but became a bit optimistic when we heard that he has been shifted to Shokat Khanum Hospital……………
AB we, who could not attend your NAMAZ-E-JINNAZA or see your face, are unable to control our emotions when ever we look at your smiling snaps like the given one. May ALLAH S.T provide your family with fortitude.
Although i dint met him nor did i see him, but the snaps of him reveal the essence of his wonderful personality. He looks so lively and his eyes shine with extreme inner beauty. I cant imagine what would be the greif and feelings of those who were close to him and had spent time with him. it'd really unbearable for his family who were the closest to him ever. I pray that may his family get the courage to overcome this unbearable grief.Aamin
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This post has been removed by the author.
It is been TWO years now... He is still with us.. We don't pass a single day without his memories.
I met him some 8 years ago when he joined PARCO, we both were transferred to Faisalabad.
I can see him playing snooker, puffing around with me, playing NOKIA 3310(we both got it, pretty expensive at that time), we kept burning candles and sharing our good days, I had listened his laughter regarding (PICS now UCP).. then he moved to UK, we kept in touch very regular..through all means.. then he came back.. had marriage, we were together...then in WARID too, he was never lived apart... then Kampala, I still have his last chat log in which he invited me there and told me about the dream (three days ago he had)... I sent him an email but he never replied...
I still feel ringing my phone with your SMS, calls and laughters...
I can't forget you Bakar!!