Dignified sorrow for MF RahmanBy JANELLE DE SOUZA Wednesday, September 19 2012
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Mohammed Faisal Rahman...
“Dignified sorrow” best described the attitude of the family members of former Opposition United National Congress (UNC) Senator Mohammed Faisal Rahman, as they mourned the loss yesterday of their brother, father, and husband.
The last rites of MF Rahman were performed at the Nur E Islam Mosque in El Socorro yesterday afternoon. He died in his sleep on Monday night.
During the funeral, Rahman’s wife, Zanifa, as well as other family members, surrounded the white coffin containing his remains, and wept quietly. Later, they greeted the many friends and colleagues, who were present to say goodbye.
Zanifa described Rahman as a kind man, and a good husband and father to his eight children. “Christians and Muslims alike only had good things to say about him,” she said.
She also said the family had received condolences from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, former Prime Minister and UNC leader, Basdeo Panday and many of his former colleagues.
Rahman was appointed a senator in the Ninth Parliament and participated in more than 60 debates. He first entered Parliament on December 17, 2007, and debated bills, including the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) (No 2) Bill, 2010, the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008, the Children’s Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008, the Family Court Bill, 2009 and the Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2009.
Among the many mourners were Senator and Minister of Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim; Minister of Public Utilities, Nizam Baksh; Chairman of the San Juan / Laventille Regional Corporation, Nafeesa Mohammed; and former government minister and Caricom Ambassador, Kamaluddin Mohammed.
Baksh described Rahman as “a shining example” for politicians because he was passionate and honest in his dealings. “He is a man who followed his religion to the letter, and when he became involved in politics, he portrayed the same lifestyle,” said Baksh. Karim told Newsday he was sad to lose one of the stalwarts of the UNC. “As a former General Secretary of the UNC, I had the pleasure to work with him. I want to take this opportunity to extend to the bereaved family, our sincere condolences, on behalf of my colleagues,” he said.
Karim said, in addition to being a strong campaigner, articulate writer, and passionate speaker on the politics of the country, Rahman was very gentle and kind. He said Rahman was always interested in the welfare of persons around him, and served the Muslim community with dedication and devotion.
He also noted that Rahman was able to keep the fast during the holy month of Ramadan and therefore acquired all the blessings of that month.
