My mother---ANISA KHATOON---
passed away in Chicago, US, on Sunday morning, December 18, 2016, leaving all of
us very sad, a sadness and grief which will always remain a permanent part of at
least my life and make my heart painful, bleed and cry and keep my soul
restless. I have no words to express her greatness, goodness and gracefulness of
the great lady.
Her departure caused an irreparable loss. I was hospitalized at that time---from
December 16-20 in Sunnybrook Medical Sciences Center, Toronto. I was there for a
surgical procedure to replace my dialysis line since the graft on my left hand
got blocked. Several efforts to fix the graft failed.
Since I was hospitalized and in bad condition, the sad news was hidden from me.
My elder brother Syed Zahir Akhtar, younger brother Tariq Zaheer Siddiqui, and
my younger sister Reshma Iqbal, despite the harsh winter weather, winter storm
and bad and dangerous condition of the roads---drove from Chicago, US, to break
the news to me.
The news struck me like lightning. Frankly speaking, I was very angry with God
for taking away my most precious asset, my lighthouse, my source of strength and
courage and my protective shield from me. Then I realised that it was a natural
process and a life cycle which every living thing will have to face. I bowed my
head before God and begged for good, mercy and forgiveness for my mother. I did
and am trying to do whatever I can.
I am not saying this because she was my sweet, loving and caring mother, all
those who met and knew her know how good and great she was. My father passed
away on June 9, 1973, and since then together we faced all the tough challenges,
great hardship and most difficult times. We had very good understanding and
liked, loved and respected each other.
This gave the badly and needed great courage and strength to all my family
members. It gave them the sense to live together and like, love, respect, help
and support each other. This made me stronger. They were and are all very
loving, caring, helpful and supportive. The siblings like and love each other
very much.
After the passing away of my mother, my elder brother Syed Zahir Akhtar is the
lighthouse and leader of the family. He has all the qualities to keep the family
united and happy. He keeps track of all the members and keeps helping in all
possible ways the ones who need help and support.
He is a man of great qualities and character. Now he is a great protective
shield for us. He along with my other family members there did their best
possible in all ways to look after my mother but could not save her from the
claws of death---A reality which everyone will have to one day.
In the end, I would like to beg and request all near and dear ones, friends and
fans and even all those who don’t know her to please pray for the departed soul
of my mother. Also, please share the prayer request with all. This will help my
mother the most. I thank all in advance for the prayers.