v      A cavalier of the word has dismounted,

v      The architect of thoughts and visions has finally pitched his pen,

v      The sage of wisdom has departed,

v      The pioneer of the medialism has departed from our world,

v     A bright star has tumbled down from the sky of the renewal and  authenticating    movement,

v     The procession of the civilizational continuation of our nation has lost one of its most prominent pioneers,

So, Kamil Al-Sharif has passed away. Each and every one of us will no doubt pass away. God said:

·   " Verily, you will die, and they will die." 30/39,

·  And "Everyone that is thereon will pass away. There remained but the countenance of thy Lord of Might and Glory." 55/26 – 27.

· Yes, everybody shall pass away. But, do the departure of all those who die have equal impact on the life of nations?

"There are those whose virtues remain after their death; and yet there are those who are alive although they are like the living dead."  line of poetry

In the intense blackness of the gloomy darkness of an anticipated dawn: the feeling of misadventure is more agonizing when men of determination are lost.

Moreover, during critical situations and exacerbating confusion of visions and consultation, calamities are more intensely felt, and misfortunes are more severe with the departure of renowned men of sound judgment and understanding in our community. Furthermore, with the ever growing phenomenon of tunnel-mindedness, and the epidemic tribulation of submission to the hearts desire and rebellion against the authoritative sources of understanding and knowledge; the Community realizes more and more, the extent of the danger of the absence of the leaders of counseling and guidance in its life.

People’s attitudes and feelings towards events remain bound to the nature of their involvement in those events as well as to the extent of their knowledge of the reality of these events. This is exactly, the source of my deep anxiety at the lost of my beloved, noble and trustworthy brother Abu Ismael. It is the cause of my deep grievance at the death of my comrade on the path of God and His pleasure. This is the reason behind the enormity of my momentous calamity at the lost of my alto ego, the twin of my visions, perspectives and aspirations. Abu Ismael –may God bless his soul- had been a truthful, amicable and generous brother. He confides his innermost secrets, expertise and knowledge of life in me, and I use to do the same with him despite the inadequacy and humbleness of my own experience.

In the course of time, our contact remained intact. We took common action in the various fields of calling to the path of God. We continued to exchange views and consult each other on the various aspects of life. Our views matched up while our perspectives united. Our manners intermingled, except where I failed to keep abreast of him and rise up to his very special traits, commendable acts, mildness of character, wisdom, patience and enduring the harm inflicted by others. Anyone who has known and worked closely with him may testify to my statement.

 Once upon a time, Brother Kamil Al-Sharif and I visited a noble scholar and distinguished thinker, H.E. Dr. Ezz-ul-deen Ibrahim. Having received us in the habitual friendly way accorded to his friends and admirers, and before inviting us to sit down, our host began addressing our deceased brother, may God bless his soul, citing a set of descriptions and characters he had discovered in him. Briefly, I will cite just one of Ibrahim’s expressions: “Abu Ismael! You were shrewd carrying the gun and today you are more prudent and more effective using the pen!” He then turned to me saying: “Be sure to cooperate with your brother. He is a gigantic school, and dialogue with the other is very important in the interest of the Islamic community.”

As regards his perseverance, zeal traveling and roving around the world from one country to another, I have had the honour of accompanying him in most of these travels. He was never absent or excused himself from attending any international forum. He was the ever present contender and defender of Islam and Muslims. He was the cultivated, judicious, subtle and skilled authority when it comes to introducing Islam, its universal Message and eternal as well as guided humanitarian objectives.

 In order to substantiate my statement about his high-mindedness, I will like to mention the following situation: I was once participating in a scientific symposium in Amman, Jordan which was inaugurated by H.R.H. Prince Alhassan bin Talal. In his opening speech, Prince Al-Hassan said: “Before I begin my speech, please allow me to greet in your name, Abu Ismael, Kamil Al-Sharif, who happened to be on transit in Amman.” H.R.H then addressed Abu Ismael saying: “Abu Ismael! You are welcome among your own people and in your country Jordan. “The audience acclaimed Prince Al-Hassan’s subtle, adroit and amiable greeting, which was expressed in recognition and admiration of the substantial as well as sustained efforts exerted by our beloved brother Abu Ismael, may he rest in peace, towards the common good of the Ummah (worldwide community of Islam) and humanity at large.

 Gentlemen! In the light of the foregoing, Am I to be blamed for my profound grief and weighty calamity and affliction at losing our brother Abu Ismael Kamil Al-Sharif, may God bless his soul and receive him in His most lofty Garden of Paradise.

 Certainly, the eye may drop tears, and the heart may grieve, and we are truly sad O’ Abu Ismael. God owns that which He had bestowed. He is the owner of that which He has taken away. We belong to God and unto Him is our return.

Professor Dr. Hamid bin Ahmad Al-Rifaie

President, International Islamic Forum for Dialogue

24 / 1 / 2008