One evening while returning from work, I was awestruck by the magnificent sight of a saintly looking man in white robe approaching our building. The golden beam of the dusky winter sun created a halo around his silhouette. I had never seen somebody with such a powerful and entrancing aura. Before I could gather myself from that state of captivation, I realized that he had already entered the building. I came home completely enthralled by the sight of the holy man. I mentioned about him to my husband and for several days, we kept thinking about that saintly gentleman and wondered if we would ever have the chance to meet him again.
It
was the joyous occasion of Eid. My husband and I had just popped out to meet a
friend and as luck would have it, we chanced to see him again. It was a good
opportunity and an occasion too. Both of us approached towards him but I
initiated the conversation “Sir, excuse me, I would like to wish you a very
happy Eid.” As I wished him I bent
forward to touch his feet. It is a gesture called “Pranaam” to show respect and
invoke blessings from an elderly person. It just happened as a reflex action to
which he responded with great warmth looking little confused though. “I have
heard stories of enlightened saints with halo around them. I feel that they
would have been someone like you”, I said in one go. I still cannot fathom as
to how I mustered the courage to say this to a stranger. He looked deep into my
eyes and said in a very soft and humble way, “I am an ordinary man, since you
have perceived me as an enlightened person, now I have to work hard to live up
to that image …you have given me an additional responsibility.” This can come
only from a person of extra ordinary conscience. That was my first interaction
with Dr Izzedin Ibrahim Mustafa.
My
joy knew no bounds when his secretary called to say that Dr. Izzedin wished to
visit my house and meet my family. We were amazed by his commitment and
punctuality. His vast knowledge of various cultures, religions, deep spiritual
insight, fervid eloquence and brilliant conversation made an obvious impact on
us. He was very simple and modest in his approach and exhibited a sharp sense
of humour during his conversation. He spoke with great wit and wisdom and kept
the atmosphere very light and enjoyable. He seemed to be a powerhouse of energy
yet having an aura of serenity. Only after few weeks, the revelation about his
celebrity status left us in a mesmerizing state!!! We felt so privileged and
honoured. One needs to be simply blessed to have shared such moments with
someone like him. He came and he conquered!!!
In
a humble attempt to learn more about his illustrious contribution spanning over
five decades, I decided to profile him. I put forth my request and my new Babu
responded positively almost instantly, I felt completely privileged!!!
He was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1928 in a business class family of ten children, eight boys and two girls. Though he had a very normal and comfortable childhood, the post world war turmoil made him migrate to different countries but nothing deterred his focus from studies. Amongst all his siblings he is the only one who chose education to be a full time profession and he feels very contended and fulfilling to have chosen this profession as an academician. Two large apartments of his house consist of a huge writing table and books only. “It gives a feel of the library of the Cultural foundation.” I said giving a glance over the shelves.
“Come I will show you what I consider is my treasure” The books were neatly arranged and labeled as per the subjects -Arabic and English literature, history, medicine, religions of the world-Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism… “Have you read Geeta?” I asked him while having literally a conducting tour of his personal and the most favourite place of the house. He instantly turned to me and said, “No, not yet but I am so keen to read it will you give me one?” There was a sudden spark of enthusiasm in his eyes just like a child who is curious to have his first book of nursery rhyme.
He has written and translated around twenty five books on Islamic studies, ideology and text books for School. “I was a staunch Muslim as a young man but reading and knowing other religions and meeting with the religious leaders have broadened my perception of what religion means to the mankind and its significant role in the day today life. I have come to the conclusion that basically all the religions of the world have some commonality like they all have faith in the super power, the creator of the universe, they believe in the power of prayers and all of them practise the principals of morality. The only difference is the way of practising and the rituals. It’s like a journey to a common destination by traveling through different paths. We should follow and practise the religion we belong to but we should tender respect to all the other religions “So I will remain a Muslim and you will remain the Hindu yet I will be your Babu and you be my dear daughter.” He softly touched my hands with great warmth. He actually touched my heart and stirred my soul!!!
“I could have made wealth by taking up some ventures in the business world as the country was spreading its wings towards prospering but my priorities were different. I have a fairly decent status of living materialistically. I am thankful to God that he has bestowed me with a much contended life.” I have gone through a period of struggle initially as I was born in the era of world wars but I managed to achieve my goals as I had never lost my focus, self confidence and fighting spirit. I always followed by natural instinct. There is a saying in Arabic that if you carry load on your back either it breaks the back or strengthens it. Problems are the part of life, how you develop the ability to handle them determines your future.”
“I had a comfortable childhood and have beautiful memories about my grandparents and when I see my grand children, I derive eternal peace and pleasure in their company. I have read somewhere that God gives grandchildren to compensate for the old age....the tenderness of this relationship will never change with time and zone. I am very fortunate to savor both the roles.”
“I have been married for five decades!!! It was an arranged marriage Layla, my wife and I was introduced by our parents. They have given us freedom to take our decisions finally. I am very fortunate to have her as my life partner. We are blessed with three children, two daughters and a son. My passion for work, my involvement with national and international projects and frequent long tours kept me away from home for weeks. She gave me complete support by being there with the children who needed at least one of the parents full time. Both my daughters are doctors in medicine and my son is a Ph D in Aero Space Engineering. I am very happy that they have pursued their studies and established themselves in the dignified professions.”
In the memory lane with Sheikh Zayed
“I first met His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in Doha where I was organizing one educational function and during our interactions, he offered me to join him in his administration to assist in the various academic and cultural projects. He had an amazing ability to recognize people for specific roles. He believed in building self confidence in people, giving them opportunities and challenges to work and rewarding them after each success. These are the qualities of a true leader.”
“For 37 years I was his friend and advisor and sometimes even a baby sitter for the children who were younger. I enjoyed and respected all the roles. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have shared his dreams and being instrumental in realizing them as well.”
“He was a visionary, and gifted with unusual leadership qualities. Today’s UAE is the true legacy of a single man’s dream to unite the seven separate emirates. This is one of his universally acknowledged remarkable achievements. Although he himself didn’t follow the usual formal education yet he acquired vast knowledge on various subjects particularly History of the World, Religion and People. He was very fond of poetry and when ever he used to have time he used to write poetry. Many a times he used to challenge me playfully to complete it. He knew that education is the only way to keep pace with the world. That was when the idea of having a university was germinated. The result is the University of Al Ain. I was the vice chancellor of the university.
“Service and charity was a way of life for Sheikh Zyed. Once he was very unwell. When I went to visit him he said very softly “Looks like it’s the time to leave this planet. We have been discussing the charitable trust since long. It’s about time that we should go ahead and execute it officially. I don’t want any charity to be left pending.” He looked at me and another advisor Mr. Ahmad Khalifa Al Suweidi who was also present visited him with him. That was how the Sheikh Zyed Charitable Trust came into existence. It is a billion dollar trust. He recovered and lived for ten more years. Charity never goes in vain. It comes back in a divine package.”
Sheikh Zyed was the Son of Soil and the King of hearts
“He used to sit on the benches of Corniche or in the hotel lobbies and talk to the common people like a buddy!!! He used to comfort them and make them feel belonging to the place. This is the only part of the world where people of over 200 nationalities live with peace and harmony. He was basically a very simple and modest person and that is why he used to connect and relate to the common men with comfort and concern. People used to feel very close to him when he used to talk to them. I remember that he was to deliver the speech for the first graduation day of Al Ain University. Usually the speeches were prepared by professionals. He just gave a glance at the speech and put it aside. He just came on the stage and stood in front of the large crowd of people from different age and segment- students, parents, teachers, academicians, leaders and dignitaries from various academic institutions from so many countries. His powerful and impromptu speech with great warmth and affection stirred the emotions of everyone present there! That was one of the best speeches of Sheikh Zyed. He simply ruled the hearts!!!
“I share a very special bond with him and that is the reason I still feel connected with him strongly and communicate with him even now. I saw him in my dreams just few days back. He greeted me lovingly as usual and I kissed him on his forehead. I still share my thoughts and feelings with him. He is like a divine guiding light for me. I feel his soothing presence with me all the time.”
His large heartedness is no secret from the world. He used to anonymously send funds to various people and organizations across the globe belonging to any religion and nationalities without any discrimination. He used to say “what is there in name the help should go to the needy. That’s the divine instruction. I am happy that God has chosen me to be a helping hand.” We used to send medicines to various countries. Once we were sending it to Bosnia during, I came to know that it was en-rooted through the areas controlled by enemy Serbian forces. We were told that the enemy forces normally used to flip the medicines from the cargo trucks. I brought this into his knowledge. In a very compassionate voice he replied “Those who will steal the medicines are equally needy, Dr. Izzedin, Don’t bother, in the next truck load send for them. We will not only tender help to them but also stop them from becoming thieves.” I was simply mesmerized.
All his sons have taken over the divine qualities of charity, compassion and humanity from him. Once during a usual conversation with Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zyed Al Nahyan, I told him “The world knows you to be one of the finest lion hunters. Why don’t you do something remarkable to let people know that you are much more than what they perceive you as?” He instantly replied with his charming trademark smile that “Well, what ever charity and donation you want me to do I will do but I don’t feel the need of revealing my name.” As father as son!!!
Moment of grief and grit
“It was the golden moment in the history of UAE. The first batch of graduates was passing out. There was euphoria amongst the students, teachers and parents. It was a moment of pride for the entire country!!! Sheikh Zayed was overwhelmed with excitement. He himself was involved in each and every aspect of the celebration despite his busy schedule. He wanted everything to go perfectly well and asked me to supervise every minute detail of the event personally. A night before the celebration, I received the news from Egypt that I had lost my mother. I was numb. In the state of dilemma!!! Should I rush to Egypt and attend the funeral or witness the historical moment with Sheikh Zyed? If I would have told about the tragedy he would have asked me to leave immediately to attend the last rites of my mother. So I chose not tell him or anybody about it!!! I didn’t want to diminish his excitement and pleasure. After all the show must go on!!! I was in the state of emotional captivation and during the ceremony some verses of the holy Quran stirred my emotions. I couldn’t control my tears…Thank God that the tears are colourless!!! They ooze out in pleasure and pain both but they don’t reveal the shades!!! I gathered myself somehow and delivered the speech as the Vice Chancellor as if nothing had happened!!! We all have a reservoir of strength and courage within. ”
What India means to the UAE
The moment I asked him about India he instantly recited “Sare Jahan se achchha Hindustan hamara” “This is a beautiful song written by Iqbal in the honour to the great nation. “Hind” in Arabic means beautiful and the land of beauty is Hindustan. Beauty of nature and beauty of mind that is what India means to me. I have visited India few years back and when I met the scholars in the universities, I was amazed to see the intellect. India has wonderful intellectual capital. Population and imbalanced economy are two basic hurdles in its growth. Otherwise it has the potential to be the super power if I am not exaggerating.
We are fortunate to have India as our neighboring country. Indians have shown a great deal of concern when the UAE was going through a phase of metamorphosis. Both the countries share a special bonding of friendship and mutual respect.
Gandhiji and his life have inspired me greatly. He is an epitome of non-violence and truth in true sense. I have seen the movie made by Richard Attenborough it’s a great movie about a great man from a great nation. I have quoted him and his real life incidences many a times during my lectures and speeches in various forums to scholars, students and people belonging to different walks of life.
I have also visited the architectural marvel, the Taj Mahal. It truly deserves to be one of the wonders of the world. I think it is the only monument in the world which signifies love. The Taj Mahal is India’s signature for spreading message of love and peace in the world.
One dream I would like to realize before it is too late …
One of my most cherished dreams which I would like to realize before it is too late is to open secondary schools spread education in the small remote villages. When I shared this with Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zyed Al Nahyan, he immediately agreed!!! Presently I am working on the project. One life is just not enough to do good things…..I still feel so much to read, so much to write so much to share with the world so many people to meet so many dreams to realize…….normally one needs to sleep to dream but my dreams don’t allow me sleep !!!
After I finished writing this story, I went to his place to show it to him before I send it for printing. He asked me to read it out after reading a page when I just looked at him I saw tears were rolling down his cheeks…he was choked with emotion. He took out his glasses and wiped his tears and said, “I am a simple man my dear, don’t place me to that altitude which I may not deserve.....” I leave on the readers to decide which altitude he actually belongs to!!!
SNAP
SHOTS
A
teacher, writer, Advisor to the Royalty, Trustee of many institutions, Director
General of Sheikh Zyed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Ex Vice
Chancellor of university of UAE, Organizer of International Cultural and
Religious Movements, Ambassador of Goodwill, life is a continuous effort of
realizing the philanthropic goals for Dr. Izzedin Ibrahim Mustafa.
He
completed his graduation from Cairo and the Ph.D. was awarded to him by London
University in 1963. He is also been awarded the Honorary Doctorate in Economics
by University of Malaysia.
He
has been a Trustee and of the American Islamic College, Chicago and Institute
of History of Arab and Islamic Sciences, University of Chicago. He is the
member of Advisory Committee to the center for Islamic Studies, University of
Wales, UK.
He
was the founder of the Al Ain University, the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi,
and the Sheikh Zyed Charitable Trust.
He
was instrumental in the foundation Women’s Movements an organization run by
Shekha Fatima and gave his complete support to initiate the execution.
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