You were gone too soon, we will miss you greatly. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers...
Assalamu Alaikum (May peace be upon you).
The family of Saeed Siddiqui will like to express gratitude to countless of well-wishers who provided help, visited the family and sent condolences. We would like to thank who provided help and support during Saeed's 10 month long battle with brain tumor. We would also like to thank Dr. Dong Kim of Memorial Hermann, Dr. Vinay Puduvalli of MD Anderson, and Dr. Andrew Brenner of UTSA. A special thanks to the caregiver Ms. Anissa McDonald for her diligent care.
The family also would like to express gratitude to Mr. Emran Gazi of Clear Lake ISGH Masjid and other volunteers.
The brief time that Saeed had spent on this earth, many of you had come to know him. We request that you share your thoughts in the comments section below (please select Anonymous to post, but kindly mention your name inside the comment).
Thanks.
Sincerely,
The family of Saeed Siddiqui
Houston, TX.
Remembering M. Saeed Siddiqui (1954-2011)
Right after moving to Houston in 1995, I met Saeed bhai and his wife through my cousin Asif bhai and Nioti bhabi. We became good friends, and in 1998, he became my brother-in-law. So I have known him for 16 years. I have to say – it was a true privilege to know him.
ReplyDeleteOver the last 16 years, I got to know him more. A few of these years our families lived under the same roof (his roof, to be specific :-). I was taken aback by his generosity, charity, and politeness. Not a single time he made me uncomfortable or unwelcome. He was an impeccable gentleman who was happy to give and expected nothing in return. I am sure that those who have been his lifelong friends will attest to it. He was from a rare pedigree of human beings.
There are other qualities I found in him are highly desirable. He was a very ethical person, very honest, and humble. Never have I seen that he wanted to “cut the corner” on any occasion. He wasn’t interested in materialistic things. He never imposed his will onto others. He was just too polite for that. Even in his last days, although he couldn’t communicate effectively, one could see that he was very uncomfortable at being dependent on others.
Saeed bhai was an intellectual. He had a voracious appetite for information – printed or electronic format. I was always amazed by his broad knowledge base on everything. His book collection was very impressive. I will cherish the wonderful and thoughtful discussions we had about so many diverse topics – ranging from philosophy to software development and everything in between. He became the intellectual older brother that I never had. I will definitely miss that.
To me he was always a inviting personality with an open heart. I will miss his smiling face and occasional thunderous laughter.
I pray to Allah that his wife, daughter, and son will find the courage and determination to go on with their life and become successful. I also pray for his mother, whose emotions I can only try to fathom.
Adios Saeed bhai - my brother, friend, and mentor. I will definitely miss you. May Allah grant you heaven.
I met Saeed bhai in 2004. Just like Zaki bhai said he was a soft spoken and very polite gentleman. We did not talk much, but I could not forget him. If you met him once, you could not possibly forget him. We will all miss him. May Allah rewards him eternal peace.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I remember most is his smile whether we agreed or disagreed about something. We both ended up laughing at the end. The last time we spoke (before his sickness) ,we were having dinner at Shabbir Bhai's house. The conversation topic was Indian IIT student vs. Regional Enginering College students. As usual Saeed Bhai shared his insights in a very polite manner.
ReplyDeleteMay Allah bless him and his family.
Syed Hussain (Sajjad)
Dear friends and wellwishers
ReplyDeleteSaeeds bhai is our friend Farook siddique's older brother , our mentor and guide. I remember saeed bhai from the days of Banani , when we cajoled under the eucalyptus tree, on que(farook)'s rooftop.
He was the nearest one resembling que and we all respected and admired him .
It is nice to see his blog sharing some of his personality , his demeanor and life here, this is an excellent idea.
I just lost my brother to cancer , a few months ago.23rd dec 2010. I dont know what to say about brothers, they are special. Remembering them is easy because they leave behind untold amounts of memories where they interacted with you.
Since siddique family lost their father many years ago , saeed bhai passing away has left a void that cannot be filled , all of us must try and pull-on as much as we can .
My heart goes out to khalamma , who will be devastated , the oldest or the first born passing away is a very heavy toll on her heart.
She might feel fragile and insecure . We must make sure that she endures this shock and sorrow , with fortitude , lots of Doa , and intense amounts of communication from all her children. ameen.
mustapha saha niwaz ali [adamjee76]
dhaka
Bangladesh
From Jewel, Denver
ReplyDeletePart I - Dhaka:
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I met Sayeed in 1976 @ BUET. Sayeed used to hang out with me for fun and his intellect cousin at DMC to nourish his brilliance. I didn’t find any discipline Sayeed has no knowledge of. He was so easy to describe about any difficult issues I came across. Most of his time he spent with us at Shere-E-Bangla hall at BUET. He never wanted to miss the never ending fun and jokes with us… a wild gang in room 211 (masud,Ferdous and me). Sometimes I asked Sayeed ..how come you do such a good result….I never saw you studying?. He just simply laughed…!! He managed to balance quite a good life with Family at home and friends at dorm. He took me to his Maa at his Bonani’s house and I spent quite a long time talking to his mom on many occasions. His mother is a sharp and wonderful lady.
We both joined REB at Dhaka together and worked in Feasibility Studies. Sometimes we went to villages to gather data and had fun on the way miles after miles driving Jeep. Eat in small restaurants together at remote Villages. That was another kind of fun in workplace. Sayeed was always asked how come you are such a polite and low key guy can get along with this wild guy jewel?….He simply said there are something in it you guys won’t ever understand. One day I said Sayeed ..Let’s go to Saudi Arabia…We need to earn lots of money…I got a agent who will arrange it for us. Next Day He came up with 50 thousands Takas and I got 50 Thousands Takas and gave it to an agent who found out to be a fraud. He didn’t sweat. We had really hard time and lots of trouble to got our money back.!!!
Part II - Florida:
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One day at Dhaka I said to Sayeed Lets go to USA for study. Sayeed was ready. We started process and both got admission in Florida Atlantic University. He also got I-20 from an engineering school in Hutton, Michigan. He decided to go there and I went to Florida at Boca Raton. After 1 semester Sayeeed called me and said can I come to your school? I said why? He said I am getting nostalgic; looking at this window I only see snow and snow..It takes a 1 week to get a Casio calculator in this town. Here you go.!!.I was so excited… talked to advisor and in the next week he was with me in Florida. We took the same classes..lived in the same house..Share the same car and eat the same food..!! I lived in Sayeed’s shadow in my academic life and looks like he tried to live on mine in the real world. Looks like he doesn’t suit in a complicated world..He was so philosophical and looks like he lived in another world. Rich thought process about life and eternity. Sayeed was with me and my wife in our best and worst time.
Continued ..
From Jewel, Denver
ReplyDeletePart III - Houston:
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After I graduated I moved to Houston and Sayeed Joined me there little later. We met our another good friend Shisham from BUET. We all three work for the same company got the green card from there. Sayeed married to Luna and she becomes my wife’s good friend. We three family hang out..Party together and had lots of fun during that time. Time went like Jiffy. I moved to Denver and Sayeed settled in Houston. Suddenly Shisham Passed away and the whole equation was changed. But we never lose our communications, composure and friendship.
Sayeed wanted to see me for the last laugh. His wife brought him to Denver to see me in Denver just few weeks ago. He was frail…Couldn’t walk..and Ready to go.. Sayeed said “I came here to laugh…jewel ….This is life…This is it…May be I will never see you…We all have to go today and today or tomorrow. I had the best time with you. Enjoy your life with your friends and family and don’t work too hard. It’s not worth it.” I had onefull day of laugh and cry with him …It was a good closure with Sayeed and I thank his wife Luna for that favor. She is terrific lady did everything humanly possible to give Sayeed comfort and tried to bring his out of misery. Sayeed was very lucky to get such a good in-laws around him. His Brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws took so much good care of Sayeed 24/7. Sayeed own brothers and sisters was around him on and off and specially his mother was besides him during his last days. Some one has to be very lucky to get that …!!! I will miss Sayeed a lot…!!! He will be always in my prayers and good memories ….!!!
Few words from EPITAF – Abul Hasan
-------------------------------------
“Zotodur Thako fer Dekha hobe. Kenona Manush
Zodio birohokami, Kintu tar milon ei moulik.
Mile zai- Prithibi Akash Alo akdin mele !!.....
Zokhon prithibi ar deshe deshe duronto dhukher
Darun Shottai zege morena oshoizzo matha kute!!!
Tokhon Akash Alo hoito ba mile zai, mele :
Tokhon Prithibi hoito bar bar fire pai tare !!!
Thokhon tomare pabo, Dekha hobe, Fer dekha hobe.!!!!
Quazi Rahman Shomu. Houston, TX
ReplyDeleteThe numerous obituaries and reminiscences that appeared after Saeed bhai's passing gave full emphasis to the esteem in which he was held by all those who had come into contact with him. I met him in 2008 and his humbleness and sophistication instantly attracted me like many others. Although he usually was the quietest person in our typical weekend parties, he was a good listener and his rare but profound comments made me surprised and thoughtful in many ways. It was axiomatic that his depth of knowledge on subject matters outshined many of us. Yet, he never made any argument to establish his thought- that's the beauty of his personality. His life certainly defines the simplicity and satisfying. He certainly will be remembered for his kind manners and his personal aura of contentment. Good people leave sooner- that fact is established once again.
I felt very sorry to see that this brilliant mind had to leave this world prematurely but I am sure his seed is saved inside his two wonderful kids. May Allah bless them and give them the strength to espouse Saeed bhai's legacy.
I was very fortunate to have met Saeed bhai in his brother Farooq's family get together recently. Looking back the family were all remarkably blessed to have had a family gathering with a healthy Saeed bhai, as well as Farooq's siblings from Arizona, Rhode Island and his mother from Dhaka. Inshallah memories like that will sustain the family in these times of sorrow.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts and prayers at this time are with Saeed bhai's loving wife and children, his mother and his brothers and sisters. May God give them all the patience and strength to bear this loss. May God provide peace to his soul and give him a place in heaven.
We all aspire to be a gentleman and a scholar like Saeed bhai. - Khaled Mahmud
I moved to Houston from London in January 2001 and Saeed bhai was one of the very few Houstonians I meet. It was a great privilege knowing him for 10+ years. He was a great friend, a super intellect, a simple man, a sweet talking and an ever smiling human being. It is rare to meet people like him in life. Saeed bhai loved humor and his breadth of knowledge was unparallel. He always respected others opinion.
ReplyDeleteI remember an occasion Saeed bhai and the family at our place in 2008 during Hurrican Rita. We all had so much fun together even we were worried about the hurricane coming our way. In around midnight we all became worried and decided to get out of town, we packed our cars and started driving towards Dallas. We reached halfway on I45 in 12 hrs and I decided driving to Austin and Saeed bhai and the family went to Dallas. It was an occasion made him part of my family. He always used to say he would like to come to our place and spend some time. He did not manage to make it to our last get-together, but, I would keep my door open for him.
I visited him few times during his last few months and he always was smiling. My heart felt the pain seeing Saeed bhai slowly disappearing from our lives. In June, I left for Brazil for 3 months and went to see him before my departure. I am still in Brazil and felt helpless not being able to see him off to his final destination. It’s very painful not to be able to say hello to him one more time, I return to Houston in only 2 weeks time.
Saeed bhai mentioned he would like to visit Rio and in real life he never did. The night of the day of his burial, I had a beautiful dream. I was talking to someone in a place surrounded by ocean and mountains, the sky was clear with shining stars, I was the only person in the horizon and talking to a person I could not see. I wake up in the middle of the night and thought Saeed bhai might just wanted to say goodbye to me and pay a visit to Rio (ocean and mountains). It felt so peaceful thinking about him and knowing him as a dear friend.
Saeed bhai lived a great life among his family and friends, he was a person of wisdom with less words. Great people like him leave this world early for others to remember them and talk about them for a long time. We will miss Saeed bhai in our lives for many years.
I pray for his soul and strength for his family.
I read this saying everytime I remember Saeed bhai..
"When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the spirit laughs at what is has gained."- Sufi aphorism
Reza, August 29, 2011
I had known Saeed bhai for over 16 years and had always found him to be very down to earth, happy-go-lucky type of guy. He was always a very soft spoken and a very humble person. He had a very good sense of humor as well. If I'm asked to name a few people I admire, Saeed bhai would be on top of that list. It is so hard to believe that he is no longer amongst us.
ReplyDeleteWhat I remember most about Saeed bhai is his vast knowledge in a myriad of topics—be it history, sports, religion or actually almost any other topic—he could drop numbers, names, dates, locations etc, just like that! I had mentioned this to others many times, even before his passing on, that “Saeed bhai is like an encyclopedia of information”. During discussions in our social gatherings I would be amazed by his statements that was always backed up by factual references from the “data base” inside his head. He was a very well read man, and he was an interesting person to listen and talk to.
One of my fond memories of Saeed bhai is that in our get-togethers if he saw me with my camera, the first thing he would almost always ask me was “It’s fotki-dot-com, right?”—referring to my online web album. With his infectious smile he would then tell others that these pictures would be in a web album called “fotki.com”---he would always get a kick out of mentioning that name.
I am so grateful for having known Saeed bhai, and I shall miss him dearly. I wish eternal peace for his departed soul.
Mamun (Houston)
Still remember the day we met Saeed bhai & Luna for the very first time… as if it was just yesterday. It was in Clear Lake at Mouli/ Shisham bhai’s place back in 1994. He was introduced to us as one of Shisham bhai’s closest friends. Little did we know that this newly-wed couple (then) would be almost like family to us in due course.
ReplyDeleteThat was the beginning and there has been no end to this bonding ever since…… we’ve been in this journey of being friends & comrades for the last 17 years. Saeed bhai was well known for his politeness and contagious smile…… always a “happy-face” regardless of the situation he was in. He greeted us with the same big smile when he was healthy & happy and when he was really sick at the hospital or even at home, when we met him for the last few times. We’ve never heard him talk in a loud voice or seen him angry or upset with anyone.
Saeed bhai’s untimely passing away has created a void that cannot be filled or replaced. Luna lost a loving & devoted husband, the kids (Raima & Rehan) lost an affectionate & caring father, the family lost a warm and kind-hearted member and we lost a sincere & genuine friend. We will miss Saeed bhai till the end and will cherish his memories fondly. Wish him eternal peace in heaven!
Murad Hossain from New Jersey:
ReplyDeleteI don't remember ever meeting Sayeed. But, I have heard enough about him from Jewel over the years that I consider him as a friend also. Sayeed said many things to Jewel over the time of their friendship, but one that stuck with me is his advice to take life easily and to enjoy time on earth.
He will be dearly missed and our prayers are for his departed soul!
Think it was Fall of ‘93. Most likely, the place was Tom Bass park in Houston. Deshis got together for a picnic. Guys hanging out in clusters among friends, kids runnin’ around having a blast, bhabi’s ( newlyweds and not so newlyweds ) struttin’ their fine jewelry, ‘ashor jomay uthche.’ I was heading towards the watering hole to refill my glass.
ReplyDelete‘Aah, are you Asief?’ I turned to my side to see two smiley faced gentlemen standing close by. ‘Yes’ I nod. ‘ I am Saeed and he’s my friend Jewel ( recall so )’ says one of them.
While shaking hands Saeed bhai asks, ’ You are married to Nioti, right?’ I smile and nod yes again, unsure about what nioti am I destined to.
‘ I met your wife Nioti, she is my wife’s best friend, my wife’s Luna, Nioti must have talked to you about her’ adds Saeed bhai.
Few months back I spent about two weeks with Nioti, doing my ’fardh’ after our dry ‘akht’ of the previous year. Couldn’t recall Nioti ever talking about a friend Luna, my expression surely gave it away. Mustering an apologetic half smile I tried to wiggle out, ‘Yeah yeah, I was introduced to many of her college friends from Rangpur .’
’But Luna didn’t go to college in Rangpur ’ comes the coup de grace from one of them. Oooh boy! I shifted my stance, gestured towards the soda table with my empty glass and left ’em both a little perplexed. ‘Whew!’ I needed a drink, real cold one……
When I first got the news from Jewel , I got stand still, stunned and looks like my whole body is bleeding, life would definitely stop some where, at some point but not in this way,
ReplyDeleteDuring the University time I always found Saeed very simple, less talking and purely a gentleman type. I never found him in the middle of any quarrel or disputes. His smile was as simple as child but has had of lot of expression in it .He used to come to our room as he was very friendly with Jewel , We had lot of fun but Saeed had always been very quiet and calm and a good listener. He was a very studious boy and was a good student as well. Because of many reasons I have not have that much of opportunity to be a group friend of Saeed , but there are some faces which we will never forget , Saeed had that complexion , that sweet touch which I will never forget. His depth of knowledge in Electrical Engineering was remarkable, during my hard time in a private job he helped me in many ways to participate in a SACDA tender of Power Development Board (PDP).Nevertheless, one the best part of his life was with Jewel at BUET & USA.
Jewel kept me informing about Saeed’s health conditions for the last few months but I never thought Saeed will not survive , by the mercy of Loving GOD ,his life will be stabilized again but it is also the wishes of GOD we all will disappear and depart.
Saeed’s departure is just that act of GOD at a time when his family needed him
Badly.
Rahman Masud
Dhaka
I heard a lot about Jewel bhai but never met him. His message reminded me of a subject Sayeed bhai and I used to talk about and laugh a lot. It was about Saeed bhai coming to Houghton, Michigan for his study and leaving after a brief stay because of snow. Coincidentally, I went to the same school in 1991 and spent 2 yrs and finished my MS there.The place is so remote and there is a road sign (put on by the students) on the highway entering the city/campus saying "end of the world - 2 miles, Houghton - 4 miles". We used to laugh a lot talking about the place. 10 yrs later in 2001 I met him in Houston, 10 yrs later in 2011 he is no more with us. I see a pattern .. Reza
ReplyDeleteNazrul from Canada
ReplyDeleteJewel, I think i know him & i saw him with you . I read your comment, its wonderful to know your some past glimpses with sayeed. Allah
sayeed ke jannat bas koruk ei kamonaye.
Nazrul I Mia
Canada
Nazrul From Canada
ReplyDeleteJewel,
I think i know him & i saw him with you .I read your comment, its wonderful to know your some past glimpses with sayeed. Allah sayeed ke jannat bas koruk ei kamonaye.
Nazrul I Mia
Canada
Picku from Dhaka , Bangladesh
ReplyDeleteI knew Sayeed as a nice,gentle & cordial fellow. Allah sayeed ke Bhesto nasib korun.
Piku
Dhaka
I met Sayeed bhai and Luna for the first time after moving to Houston at Shati's house in 2001. During our introduction me and Luna realized that we are from the same hometown in Sylhet. Sayeed bhai from then would always adress me as 'amar shoshur bharir log'. Each time we visited his house, he would always tell Luna 'take care of her'. I used to feel so touched by his kind gestures and hospitality. He loved to eat deshi fish and vegetables, so I used to cook these dishes for him every time they came to our house. He enjoyed those dishes and used to tell Luna, I can miss any other dawats, but not Minu's! I was pregnant with my third child in 2007, my husband Reza was in Bangladesh. I remember how Sayeed bhai drove in a stormy night to deliver food at 11.30 pm so that I didn't have to cook for the next two weeks. Just before his diagnosis we were at a birthday party, and I was asking Sayeed bhai when is he coming to stay for a weekend, or is he waiting for a hurricane? He looked at Luna and said, 'hey, make a weekend free so we can go to Minu's'. I had grown many deshi shobji's, and was looking forward to having him over for a weekend. Never did I vision of cooking his desired dishes and taking them to his house. Losing him is like losing an elder brother. His humble smile, his warmth, his kindness and generosity will always remain forever in our hearts and mind. May his soul rest in peace, and may 'Allah' give Luna and the family the strength for their journey ahead.
ReplyDeleteMinu
Houston
Muzh Rate Mrito Pitar Pashe – Rahman Masud (Dhaka)
ReplyDelete------------------------------------
(Posted by Jewel)
Isshe hoi ghum theke deke nie bozhai tomake
A ashole ghum noi azibon dui chokhe zoler propat
A ashole ghum noi isshe hoi bozhai tomake
A asole shat ti manusher shat zora chokh
Ajibon dhukher khoruk.
FROM ; RAHMAN MASUD, DHAKA , BANGLADESH
ReplyDelete-Saeed Siddiqui Ke-
Tomar Zonno Akzon Manush
Chokh buje shueye aso
Oi dur nilima sarieye ,
Dekho ke boshe ase
Chokhe zol , hat duto mohashunne,
Dekho she boshe ase , chupchap
shoker chador zorieye......
Waseem Khan, Los Angeles
ReplyDelete-----------------------------
Dear Jewel,
I know the loss of Sayeed has hit you especially hard. You guys were very close. Please do accept our heartfelt condolences. May Allah give you courage to bear the loss (Ameen). Sayeed's untimely loss is very tragic. Allah has His own reasons. When it is time to return to Him, no one can stay behind. May Allah (SWT) forgive Sayeed's sins, and grant him Jannat-ul-Ferdaus. Please do convey our condolences to Luna Bhabi & the kids, the next time you talk to them. May Allah bless everyone. It must have been so hard on his mother, too. At least, she was with him till the end.
You know, Sayeed is the 16th classmate from our Adamjee batch who is no longer with us. Time in this world is short. That is why we need to make the best use of it. I thank Allah (SWT) every day I wake up, and again at the end of the day. We never know when our time will be up. So we better be prepared to meet Allah (SWT). Masha'Allah, Allah took Sayeed back during the holiest month of Ramadan. Hopefully He will be full of mercy towards him, and grant him Jannat-ul-Ferdaus. We offered "Doa" for the salvation of Sayeed's soul during the Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday at our Masjid. I pray to Allah that He guides us all towards His way, so that we do not have any regrets when the time comes to meet Him (Ameen).
Once again, do accept our sincere condolences. Convey our regards to Bhabi, and love to the boys. With best wishes,
Your Friend,
Waseem
M. Rezwan Khan, Ph.D.
ReplyDeleteProfessor and Vice Chancellor
United International University
Assalamu aliakum. Thank you Jewel for your detailed information. Yes, to day or tomorrow we will have to go. Shisham went very early, but we never know who would be the next. May Allah reward Sayeed with jannah and give his family and all of us courage and strength to face such situations. I do not remember meeting him after he went to USA, but very clearly remember our days in BUET.
Rezwan
Alauddin Ahmed
ReplyDeleteCanada
May Allah shower Sayeed’s soul with enormous blessings and help immediate the family endure the loss,amin.
Ali Asgar
ReplyDeleteDhaka
May Allah grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give the strength and courage to Sayeed's family members to bear the shock.
Ameen.
Asgar
Shamim Ahsan
ReplyDeleteসায়ীদ এর এই অকাল মৃত্যুতে আমি গভীর শোক ও বেদনা জানাচ্ছি। আল্লাহ তাহার ভুল এবং পাপ ক্ষমা করে তাহাকে জান্নাতবাসী করুন এই প্রার্থনা করছি। আরও প্রার্থনা করছি এই দুঃসময়ে আল্লাহ তাহার পরিবারবর্গকে সাহস ও শক্তি দান করুন - আমীন
শামিম
Rabi
ReplyDeleteShocked to know about the premature death of Sayeed.
We all pray for his departed soul.
May Allah shower him with His abundant mercy.
May Allah help his family with the strength and courage to overcome this difficult situation.
And may Sayeed rest in peace. Ameen.
Alam, New Jersey
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------------
May Allah grant peace to the departed soul.
May Allah give the strength and courage to his family members to withstand this shock.
We all pray for Sayeed’s departed soul.
Ameen.
Alam
This world is full of outspoken, prideful and envious people.
ReplyDeleteThe little that I know of Sayeed is that he was a simple, kindhearted, soft spoken gentleman.
He is like a needle in a haystack – God has blessed him with two wonderful children and a loving wife.
We often don’t understand God’s master plan, one things is for sure he never makes a mistake.
Sayeed was a blessings to many and I pray that his children be like him.
Blessings,
Alex Mathew
I know Sayeed Bhai from my school days in Adamjee. Moreover he was elder brother of my friend Farooq Siddique. Indeed a gentleman and an intellectual of a kind I respect. I do remember, he had a profound effect on my friend Farooq. Its indeed a sad departure. May his soul rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteMasum
September 7, 2011
Saeed bhai and I didn’t cross path after the picnic episode. Nioti, my destiny, lands in Houston in the month of Ramadan, the following year. Besides my family and friends she didn’t know anyone from her side in Houston. Still, she seemed perky. Sitting next to her, the thought that a man can do wonders to a woman was jelling up in my head.
ReplyDelete‘Aye, do you know what is the best part of coming to Houston for me ?’ she edges closer to me.
‘Tell me! tell me I’m all ears’ I can’t wait as I wrap an arm around her.
‘My best friend will join me in Houston shortly, you know Buri, the one you didn’t meet….’ supposed to know the one I didn’t meet went in thru one ear and out thru the other.
‘Her husband is in Houston. I met him back home, truly a charming gentleman, kinda man you love to hang around once you meet him. Asief, let’s call him up and invite him to dinner’ my wife starts planning.
‘Niotigo, will you be doing the cooking?’ Part of my ginnis plan that wasn’t quite clear.
‘I can do the rice, if you can do the rest, pleeez’ she pouts her lips. That sealed the deal.
After the invite I ask Nioti if she has any other BF besides Buri, whose hubby Saeed is lunatic in love with her. ‘No, why? Buri is also known as Luna. Good for her if he is, now don’t start rumors.’
‘Luna yeah, sure I’d love to hang around her husband.’ Tell her of my picnic encounter of last year.
‘More of a reason for you to kiss up to him by doing the cooking right’ she prescribes. We wait for the dinner date.…
Khokon Bhai is my brother. To his mother he is Khokon. To all his siblings he is Khokon Bhai. To you all he is Saeed.
ReplyDeleteHe was his mother’s boy. Growing up I remember that if I were get myself a shirt my mother would ask me get an additional shirt. Because Saeed would not ask for a new shirt. He would keep wearing clothes with holes without any care. Only when his mother discovered them doing laundry that they would be replaced. He had tremendous influence on each of his siblings. He lived the way he believed – a simple life with friends and family in laughter and joy.
Saeed grew up amongst his siblings and a large group of cousins. Growing up I remember 8 or 10 cousins (sometimes uncles joined in as well) huddled in one room solving the problems of the world. One of his best friends was also his cousin who was at his side to the very last moment. He liked his siblings to be near him. But they were fairly well established and settled in areas fairly far away. However, he was fortunate to have his in-laws living with him and near him. He loved children and enjoyed having his children and nieces and nephews always around him.
Siblings are special and Saeed was in many ways more than others. As the eldest he set the tone for his siblings may it be in education, pursuit of knowledge, humility, respect for others, human values, and all that is good.
I tell my friends if there is anything good in me he had an influence on that and I am proud of it.
Farooq Siddique
To Saeed I was Popu
Sayeed is sinking
ReplyDeleteRafiqul Islam to Waseem,Masud, Aug 23
Waseem,
I got a text that Sayeed might be in his final moment at home. He was taken to hospice and now moved to home again. He was in lots of pain and can't breath and sinking fast. Please pray for him.
-- Jewel
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ReplyDeleteরাহমান মাসুদ
আতিকাকে সায়ীদের মৃত্যুর পর ।
এ তুমি কাকে রেখে এলে
কোথায় রেখে এলে
তোমার ঘর শুন্য ,
তুমি গৃহহীন ,
আবাসন শুন্য তোমার ,
হৃদয় শুন্য , চোখে মুখে অন্ধকার
ঘরে ঢোকার মূল চাবি তুমি হারিয়েছ
ঘরে ঢুকলে মনে হবে
তুমি ঘড়ের ভেতর নও,
তোমার সম্মুখে এক জনশুন্ন খাঁ খাঁ মাঠ,
তোমার হৃদয় শুন্য , বুক শুন্য , আঁচল শুন্য ,
শুন্য তোমার বিশাল ঘর ,
তুমি হারিএয়েছ পথ , ঘরে ফেরার ঠিকানা
দৃশ্যমান তোমার পৃথিবী জ্যোতির্ময়হীন ,আলোকশুন্য
এ তুমি কাকে রেখে এলে
কোথায় রেখে এলে
দীর্ঘ ব্যাস , ব্যাসার্ধে ও ভালোবাসায় নির্মিত তোমার পৃথিবী
ছোট্ট হতে হতে নেমে এসেছে ব্যাস ,ব্যাসার্ধ ও ভালোবাসায় বিহিন বিন্দুতে
তোমার পরিধি নেই
জ্যামিতিক পরিব্যাপ্তি নেই
হৃদয়শূন্য তোমার ,ফ্যাঁকাসে রক্তহীন, নামমাত্র নারীর শরীর
চাঁদ নয় তোমার বারান্দায় উঁকি দ্যায় পোড়ামাটির্ পরবন ।
The name of the poem I hanged in this wall is " Manochitro " .Rahman Masud
ReplyDeleteFrom : Rahman Masud, Dhaka
ReplyDeleteতোমার জন্য আকজন মানুষ
সায়ীদ সিদ্দিকিকে
রাহমান মাসুদ
চোখ বুজে শুয়ে আছো
ঐ দূর নীলিমায়
দ্যাখো কে বসে আছে
চোখে জল ,
মকমল
হাত দুটো বাড়িয়ে
দ্যাখো সে বসে আছে ,
চুপ চাপ
শোকের চাদর জড়িয়ে ।
আমরা কি সাইদকে ভুলে যাচ্ছি ?
ReplyDeleteরাহমান মাসুদ/ ঢাকা
(Inna lillahay wa inna illiehay rajewn)May Allah grant peace to the departed soul.
ReplyDeleteI have lost a kind personality and a good friend prematurely.He was straightforward, honest and immaculate with wisdom of knowledge.
I also pray for his family to have the strength to bear the sorrow.
Muhammad Muhith Saleh
Dhaka.
Saeed bhai drops by for dinner in a weekend after Eid. We greet Eid Mubaraks. Nioti wanted to know all about her friend’s plan of coming to Houston. He was obliging, but was pressed for details time and again. I wasn’t getting a chance to break the ice.
ReplyDelete‘So Asief, how was your Ramadan’ he inquires as he leans back on the sofa.
‘If the essence is Siyaam, I’d say best ever - more than a year after getting married, wife times her arrival with the blessings of Ramadan’ I chuckle. ‘That’s serious Siyaam’ concurs Saeed bhai, his moustache giving the outline of a feline smile.
‘Amen brother.’ I quipped. Brother feels it; when the going gets dry, the dry gets the going.
‘Now that Siyaam is over, you guys can pick up the slack.’
I started to rub my chin ‘There are uhh, how shall I say, technical difficulties’. I could see Nioti giving me a raised eyebrow.
‘How’s that so’ he cranes towards me to elaborate on the technical glitches.
‘Some are too preoccupied with daily Farazes, Ghusal, Wudu; can’t find a propitious time for the other Faraz, you know what I mean.’ I sigh.
Saeed bhai turns to her, ‘Listen to your man, Five Farazes are a must. Still, you can play with time, but the other Faraz which is Fardh, you gotta play when it’s time.’
‘It’s time for refreshments’ Nioti does a beeline to the fridge.
We sample a smorgasbord of topics as the evening rolls on. It was illuminating, engaging, appetizing. Dinner time we make our way to the table. Simple fares, Daal, Shobji, Maach, Goshto are being laid out. I get the pot out of the rice cooker for the table. ‘Wait a sec, let me serve it on this platter’ Nioti bars my way picking up a china. I stop cold in my tracks.
‘Serve what?’
‘Rice, Mr. Chef, huh’ she retorts.
‘Like this’ I take the glass lid off the pot. She almost dropped the china, I could see the fright in her face.
Rice it was, cold, underwater, husked kernels of basmati.
‘Houston, we have a problem’ I announce that dinner’s postponed for a little while due to technical difficulties. Following years in our house parties, Nioti had to hear an oblique reference to the ‘bhater khota’.
Rice faux pas wasn’t the problem, maybe it was my deshi khabar in healthy style ranna, an oxymoron; non apetite. Gracious as he was, Saeed bhai profusely complimented Nioti for each item, which she took it in stride stealing a wink at me like a ‘behaya’. Truth will come out in due time, I surmised.
Cha - Ta served without steamy geeboth gets cold, much to our dismay, Nioti coming from Rangpur wasn’t any good to us in the adda. Later years, with her friend being a fun company and the hostess of houston, we laughed a lot over addas. We call it a night, walk him to his car, say the usual bye, but I had this urge to give him a bear hug and whisper ‘I love ya man’. Alas! my newlywed was standing next to me.
Time marches on like a ruthless giant tsunami,
ReplyDeleteOnly few eternal things survive its wake.
Good memories of you, Saeed, will never be erased by any tsunami.
Your kindness, generosity, love will stay with us forever.
So sad that you are gone from us so soon.
We miss you dearly.
Happy Birthday, Saeed bhai...
ReplyDeleteWe miss you...
Saeed Bhai we all miss you.
ReplyDelete