Remembering My Friend Ayman

Dear Dr and Mrs Taha, Rabah, Lubna, Geraldine and Baby Sommer,

I am so deeply sorry to learn of Ayman's passing. I cannot imagine what a void this has caused in your family and I know any words that I write here will bear little comfort. Although I don't know you as a family I did know Ayman and he was a very dear friend to me.

I met Ayman while he was at the University of Massachusetts, where we were both studying and we had been friends since. I left the US in 2000, but we kept in contact by e-mail and phone. Due to the nature of his job I would sometime not hear from him for several weeks, but when months passed without any news I knew that something was wrong - I could not imagine that it would be so terrible.

Mr and Mrs Taha, you had a wonderful son in Ayman and I feel very privileged to have known him. He touched my life in a special way as he did so many others. He had so many qualities that I admired - integrity, intelligence and he was wise beyond his years. He had an inquisitive mind, a thirst for learning and he was open to other peoples beliefs and cultures. He could talk to and more importantly strike up a friendship with people of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds. He enriched so many peoples lives and he certainly enriched mine.

I know that you as a family will miss Ayman immensely and although memories are hardly enough, his memory will always burn bright in my heart.


You are all in my thoughts and prayers

With deepest sympathy

Yours

Tehmina Jifri