From Vali Jamal …
These pages on Dr Mukhtar Ahmad who passed away at Kampala today should be of interest to many of the readers as he and his father were physicians to several families in Uganda. Additionally both of them were physicians to the late and present Imam.
As we mark the passing away of one of Uganda’s noble sons, I am pleased to circulate pages pertaining to the departed one in our book. I interviewed him at his clinic over a couple of sessions in 2007 when this was going to be a mere magazine for Chogm. Dr Ahmad went over the draft meticulously and added and deleted several details. Over the last four years I went to see him periodically to show him my drafts and ensure him I was “2 months” from finishing. He encouraged me on every time, saying this was an important story to tell for all our sake’s. Last time I met him, just a week ago, he gave me the picture of his investiture with the Star of Pakistan by President Zardari.
He died at his clinic itself this morning. The burial was at 5 pm, attended by people from all walks of life in Uganda. His story in the book becomes a celebration of his life, in the footsteps of his illustrious father. Ismaili readers will be pleasaed to learn that both his father and he were physicians to the late Imam Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, Prince Aly Shah, and the present Imam himself. Dr Mukhtar during the dark days of Uganda’s history was the appointed physician for the UN. I met him on every of my missions for the UN-ILO from 1982 on. His life exemplified courage as he never left Uganda through the expulsion and four regime changes. It is a regret in my life that he didn’t live to see the publication of this book.
I pray for the eternal rest of his soul and for fortitude to his family to overcome this sad and sudden loss.
Ismailimail 