Departure of a Muslim Santa-Clause!

by Sohail Choudhury
June 17, 2009

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/256/departure-of-a-muslim-santa-clause

A character who is very dear to all the children around the world is no one other than Santa.

Christmas is much loved by children because that is the day in the year when Santa will appear after one long year with gifts for them.

Many believe it is a real character; existent. While many others believe it is a fictitious one. Santa-clause is nothing but an imaginary character that lives only in our imagination.

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, or simply Santa, is the legendary and mythical figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24.The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas.

Santa Claus is generally depicted as jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. He is commonly called Father Christmas.

Where Santa lives?

One legend associated with Santa says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house in the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland. Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and eight or nine flying reindeer. Another legend of Santa says that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh.

There has long been opposition to teaching children to believe in Santa Claus. Some say the Santa tradition detracts from the religious origins and purpose of Christmas. Other critics feel that Santa Claus is an elaborate lie, and that it is unethical for parents to teach their children to believe in his existence.

But, today we shall talk about a real life Santa, who lived amongst us. A man who was the principal of an English medium School in Dhaka, Bangladesh and loved children so much! He kept jars full of candy and chocolates for the children in his chamber. Children [pupil] in groups entered the principal's room and demanded their sweets. The principal was happy to give sweets away to the children. Sometimes, smaller kids used to even climb on the shoulder of this exceptional teacher; while he just laughed instead of yelling at them. He was never unhappy that children crashed into his room [chamber] and shouted as if he was their friend.

Name of this rare school teacher is Khabiruzzaman. Mr. Zaman left the world on 25th of May 2009.

It was just a month before. In April, he asked all teachers to join a special meeting of the school. They came. Principal Khabiruzzaman announced to all the teachers that 'I am not with you for long…' Some thought he was joking but most came out of the room after the meeting with heavy hearts and with tears in their eyes. No! Khabiruzzaman was not joking, he really left us all; all of a sudden!

Not only was he popular with the children of his own school but any body that ever came across that wonderful man-simply loved him. He was a sober, decent, sophisticated and above all; A MAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD!

On many occasions I had the opportunity to meet this great soul. Luckily he was my neighbor. The day he left us all, during the early hours of the morning news spread so quickly that almost all people that ever knew him came to know about his departure.

His only son Barrister Hassan-Uz-Zaman who got his degree just a few years back, and associated himself with one of the top Law-firms in the country, was the man I met first when I was entering the apartment building where Late Khabiruzzaman lived. He embraced me as soon as he saw me and burst into tears. He was deeply shocked and almost speechless. Only thing he could utter was, 'PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM!'

Although unusual but it's a truth that Khabiruzzaman left behind a real inheritor. Like father like son! Hassan is as pleasant as his father.

The school opened just five days after the death of Mr. Khabiruzzaman. He passed away on Monday, and next Sunday the school re-opened. The following Friday after opening of the school, there was a special prayer at the school premise where I was invited and I attended.

The special prayer was yet to start. I was talking to Hassan along with another guardian of a student, Mr. Shaquil. By the way, as per the last desire of Hassan's father, Hassan took over as the principal of the school.

Hassan was discussing as to how he would run the school. While discussing, at one point, he told me that his school applied for a piece of land to erect their own school building. It may be mentioned that many schools, especially the good ones, got land allocation from the government and many have already constructed their own school building. Hassan's view was different. Not just having a building of his own for the school but the building from where they operate at the moment, is a rented one. Its rent shall surely increase in course of time and the ultimate burden shall be on the shoulders of the guardians or in other words on the students. Hassan said, "Bangladesh is not a rich country, and giving extra-load to the guardian is in-human" Noble-thought! Hope the concerned authority of the government of Bangladesh is sympathetic to Hassan's prayer for the land allocation!

After ASR prayer the special prayer began. I along with lots of other invitees took part in the special MUNAJAT and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul, also prayed for Almighty Lord to give Hassan the strength, energy and support to carry forward the task that his father could not accomplish.

When I was returning home after the program was over, at the school gate, I met a few students [who too participated in the prayer], asked them how is the new Principal; just out of curiosity. They replied; three times better than……………..I was so happy!

Santa Clause is there. He is amongst us. Not only does he come only during the Christmas, nor is he only for the people of any particular faith. Santa is a figure, a living soul, which can be called upon and personified by any body provided the person has a HEART OF GOLD!

A tribute to Khabir-Uz-Zaman, Principal, YALE International School, Dhaka

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