Tribute to Haji Zainal, the MSD living legend

16 Nov. 2009 - He put his first step on London back in 1975. Back then, he himself didn't have the prediction that he'll get this big circle of altogether, 34 years living in UK. Haji Zainal, our Assistant Officer of Welfare, left UK for his mother in Muar, Johor, on the 16th of November. I couldn't be at the airport, as I was scheduled to board the Eurostar to The Hague, for the World Halal Forum. So, on the 15th, my family and I organized a special dinner with him, and his son, Taufik and his daughter, Almaz. I choosed Makan Cafe, Portobello, as it was one of the regular restaurants that we used to dine together. He taught me a lot, he helped me more than I can list it down, he assisted me, voluntarily in all religious matters and sharing me his wide experiences with my predecessors. 'You're the 10th ustaz in MSD', that's what he said it to me. During my early days in London back in 2006, he gave me a list of names of all Education Attaches (Religious Affairs) who've served here in MSD. I've met two of them, Ustaz Anuar and Ustaz Rahim, and for the late Ustaz Hussain Unang, he's relative. He used to teach me back in KIK in the '80. Since 2006, Haji Zainal humbly served the interest of our congregation in many aspects. Everytime when I'm preparing our hall and surau for any events now, I can't help but to remembering him, as he's the one who will make sure that everything is in order before I come and start the session. I used to stand side by side with him, whenever I'm available, to ready the hall. But now, I've to and I eventually doing it alone. His wife, Kak Nariman, I would say, never failed to prepare malay kuih for our weekly circle. Too many memories with him, that's all I can say. Thanks Haji for your attentiveness to me right from the first day I came to MSD. Thanks for all 'unseen' assistance that you gave to me and my family. We will surely miss you. The legacy remains... All the best to you in Johor and take care