I went to my first Islamic funeral today. 

I've read quite a lot about the whole process over the years - it's a very unique way of burial, and I recommend you do some study if you're interested in the whole life and death and religion thing. 

 

Habiboula was a customer of ours, I remember him placing Auto Trader ads with me back in 2008. I remember Rust Check'ing his cars, and I remember seeing him around town.

More than anything - I remember him at the masjid during Ramadan. 

I've been going to the local masjid since 2001. I have been involved in the Islamic Community here in Niagara for over a decade - and as many know - my adopted dad is a Muslim. 

I have fasted during Ramadan - out of curiosity mostly - a handful of times over the years. 

 

My adopted Uncle Jay has always helped prepare the iftar meal at the masjid during Ramadan, and over the years I have found myself there with him, setting out dates, preparing drinks, picking up food from whoever is donating that year, and arranging tables. 

Over those years I noticed a tall Afghani man also coming early with food for the community to share as they break their fast. He always brought giant pots or platters of meat - usually fish, and he would sit on the ground on a mat with as many people as he could invite with him, and he would eat with them while laughing and telling stories - this man was Habiboula. 

 

Many many times I sat and ate with him, being one of the only white guys alone in the masjid - I think he must have had some pity on me or something, so he'd often invite me to sit with him, as he recognized me from work. 

 

Apparently Mr. Habiboula has a wife and kids home in Afghanistan, it's a shame that they couldn't make it to his funeral today. I was told that doctors had sent notice to them that the stomach cancer was looking serious and that they should come quick - but I suppose that a few days notice just wasn't enough. 

 

My last memory of Habiboula was last Ramadan actually. 

I was working a management shift at our restaurant in St. Catharines and in walks Habiboula with two giant pots full of uncooked fish. He puts them on the counter and says, "Adam brother, I need you to cook these for me, sundown is coming and I have to bring this food to the masjid for iftari."

I remember it very well, I had to politely tell him that I was unable to help him, that our restaurant is a franchise operation and that I am not allowed by Head Office to do such things. 

I remember thinking about how I could help him, if there was any way. I took the fish while he ran and did errands for a few minutes. I kept the food in our cooler while he was gone and I made phone calls to relatives in hopes that we could do something - because I was there with him many Ramadans before - and I know very well that his intentions were purely to feed the Muslim Community at the masjid after they had been fasting all day. 

 

Unfortunately, time was running out and there truly was nowhere or no way I could have helped him without completely screwing myself at the restaurant - so I had to return his fish pots back to him. He was rightfully upset, and I apologized. 

 

This was the last encounter I had with Habiboula. 

 

Today I found out that he passed away due to stomach cancer, exactly one year later after I last saw him, and right after Ramadan.  

I helped bury him myself. 

 

Rest In Peace Habiboula - you will be missed.