Tears flow for Sh Umar

Tears flow for Sh Umar

Emotions ran high at the Addison Road masjid in Salt River on Saturday, when members of the Cape Town Muslim community paid their last respects to one of the Mother City's oldest scholars, Sheik Umar Gabier, who was laid to rest at the Mowbray makbara. The alim died after suffering multiple strokes and was hospitalized at the Gatesville Medical Centre in Athlone for the last three weeks.
Hundreds of community members attended the janaza salah at the Nurul Islam masjid which was emotionally led by the presiding imam, Maulana Abdul Fataar Carr. Addison Road was packed with vehicles lined up on both sides of the road. Members of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) and relatives of the late scholar were asked to pay homage to the life of the alim, among them were Imam Allie Gierdien, a close friend of the deceased.

MJC president, Maulana Igsaan Hendricks said the 78-year-old would always be remembered as a controversial individual within the Muslim community. “We are all here today to express our sympathy to the family of the Sheik. To the rest of the membership in the MJC, Sheik Umar was one of our seniors, and he served this community for many years. The Sheik was an extremely controversial person, but his controversy kept us on our toes and this brought leadership to the MJC. We pray that Allah (SWT) grant him a high place in jannah, Insha-Allah.”

Loss

Hendricks added that it was growing extremely difficult for the MJC recently as senior members were becoming scarce. “We must recognize that it is not an easy exercise to just replace somebody who spent the last 50 years in the MJC. It would also be protocol and correct for us to express our respects to the community of Salt River - as he was seen as a son here and this community - today has lost a great son.”
Member of Parliament, Sheik Shahid Esau, echoed his sentiment at the loss of the prominent individual in his tribute to Gabier. “Today, is a very sad day in our lives. A member of the ulema has left us and it is particularly sad as we lost one of the seniors, who contributed to the community in many different ways. We know that Sheik Umar endured many struggles during his tenure, but he was both bold and brave in dealing with situations. Yet he continued to take up the struggle to protect the aqeedah of the Ahli-Sunni Wa Jama'ah.”
He said his relationship with Sheik Umar spans many years and highlighted that the alim maintained his youthful spirit despite his age and illness. "He is one of the senior members who made a special effort to always attend meetings and functions and he was involved even when he was at his weakest. He was an active member of the MJC, even in recent months, and always showed his life is for Allah (SWT). This is the legacy we want to uphold and continue, so as to create a positive change in the community which will lead them to greater heights in future.”

Ready

The alim's younger brother, Sheik Abdul Gamiet Gabier brought tears to the eyes of mourners as he related the life he shared with his brother with whom he had shared many years of study in Cairo where - at the age of 12 and 14 respectively - they had been sent by their father to study deen. “For the past three weeks that my brother was in hospital, he told me that he would be celebrating his 79th birthday in a few months, but he said he is ready for the Aakhirah. He said if he died, he would die a satisfied person, who believes that Allah (SWT) would forgive him and have mercy on his soul. He said he knew that he made errors of judgment throughout his life but lived only to serve Allah (SWT) in the end."

The alim said a lot changed over the years in society and urged the community to live a lifestyle that would be beneficial to the Muslim community. “Currently, we are seeing a community that has lost complete vision and respect for the investment that was made by the fathers and mothers of the past, who left behind sons and daughters that were willing and able to serve the Islamic interest of this community.”

He added that it was always a dream of his brother to be buried in the same grave as his mother, knowing that he had loved his mother a lot and for his Janaza salah to be performed at the Nurul Islam masjid. “Umar always said when he leaves this dunya one day, he wants his salah to be at this very masjid - a masjid that our mother and grandfather helped build when we were younger. We grew up in this street and we watched our mother take food to our grandfather everyday while this masjid was being build. During that time we always asked each other what would happen one day and what would become of this masjid.”
The alim said through his brother’s great deeds and contribution to the Muslim community, he wished that he be placed in the highest place in Jannah and he would be missed by family, friends and the community. “I pray for him, for he was my teacher and the one who looked after us when we needed it the most. I will miss him. Our community will miss him, and we make duah for everyone to become a better man in the community with the barakah Quraan."

A special tribute to the late Sheikh Omar Gabier will be done at the Nurul Islam Masjied in Salt River on Monday after Esha with various ulema present. This follows a similar on air tribute on VOC on Sunday Afternoon. Contact the MJC offices on 021 6844 600, for more information. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)