It is with deep sorrow and personal regret that we announce the death of Mohammed Taki Jaffer or Mr. Jaffer as he was popularly known in WIOMSA circles. Mr. Jaffer passed away after a short illness, early on Wednesday morning. Mr. Jaffer will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. He was a special, one of a kind individual, with a warm heart, a big smile, a penchant for jokes, and a wise word for everyone.
Though retired from WIOMSA, now at the age of 82, Mr. Jaffer never missed a day in the WIOMSA office, arriving daily at 10 am to assist with accounting as requested, read the newspaper, catch up on emails and generally check on his colleagues at the Secretariat. He will be remembered as a sage, a well read individual, savvy on political discourse and a person whose thirst for learning new things was never ending. He taught himself to how use a computer, learnt the mechanism of emails, and only last year mastered the use of his smart phone within months of its purchase! Each of us not only grieves at the passing of a tremendous individual but also for the loss that his family has suffered.
Mr. Jaffer was the first WIOMSA accountant from 1995 to 2001 when he retired. He leaves behind his wife, Zehra Jaffer Mohammed, a son Nasser Mohammed, a daughter in law and two grand children.
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!
Time has ceased but cherished memories still linger as this is the way of life and all things.
May his soul rest in eternal Peace …..We shall meet again.
Amen!!
An important man behind the WIOMSA scene, humble and full of life. He would speak to me in Gujarati, the language of my grandfather, laughing at my stumbling efforts to respond in the same. We used to discuss the trade between the islands back in the day and he was fascinated to learn that my grandfather had exported coco de mer nuts and giant tortoises to Zanzibar. He will be missed.
Innallilahi Wainnaillahi Rajioon….may the family find strengths during this time of sorrow and loss of a loved one
Its really very sad especially to some of us who were always with him almost daily. My mum passed away exactly one month before him and he was always consoling me. May god rest his soul in eternal peace. Amin
Deeply saddened. RIP Jaffer!
I will always cherish the stories Maalim Jaffer used to narrate to me about the old East African Community (EAC) and how he enjoyed visiting my country Kenya to pay staff salaries while he served as the accountant in the Community. His simplicity, humility and sense of friendship will be missed not only by me but by many who knew him – this, I am sure of.
Jaffer and I discussed at length our divergent views on politics, economics, religion, family and the essence of life. My condolences go to his beloved wife Zahra and the entire family.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.