Alfateha - Mansor Bin Ibrahim

That last entree was posted at 4am.

Uncle Mansor passed away surrounded by family members who loved him very very much on the same day, at 1.46pm; Tan Tock Seng Hospital.Allah loves him more. AlFateha.

This event has reaffirmed my Iman that death happens; death in the family happens; to anyone, anytime.Could be me next, could be my children, my husband, no one knows but Him.

Seven days. That was all it took - seven days from the onset of illness.

Painful. It's really painful for us family to acknowledge the fact that this good man has left. He was like the anchor man in my family, aside from Ayah. Sharing knowledge on religion matters; current affairs, for example, if he was around now, Uncle would probably say that the H1N1 pandemic is Allah's reminder to us, His creations, that He is Almighty. And that this is a reason why we must always DOA. Uncle would remind us, "after giving your salam (after prayers), why rush to watch American Idol, news (etc. etc)? take about 1 or 2 minutes, to thank Allah. Bershukur. Ask from Allah health and protection from bala". His way of talking appeals to us youngsters. He also has a good sense of humour we all enjoy. He likes to tease Mum....... I really miss him so much.

Who is Uncle Mansor?

Born 16 July 1951. Mum's Brother-In-Law; Andak's husband. He is the eldest of five siblings; whom we are very very close to. Part of us, and we are part of them. Family friendship dated more than 35 years.

Describe Uncle Mansor...

Friendly; Approachable; Understanding; HELPFUL; dedicated to family and friends of Masjid Kassim; always seeking religious knowledge (going for classes three times a week); Generous! Yes, very generous. Dependable; a good Husband; a good Dad; a humble Comfort cabby; a humble man who likes to share stories and advices....

Uncle Mansor as part of my daily life...

Rushda's arrival in 2005 only strengthens the strong togetherness we had. When Rushda was just a few days olds, Andak and Uncle Mansor comes to Pasir Ris daily to assist me in showering her, patting her, carrying her, cook for me, etc. Rushda grew and showed a resemblance of Mardhiyah, my cousin. All the more they loved her, as back then, Mardhiyah was away studying. When I was back to work, the arrangement was, Andak & uncle comes in the morning,DAILY WEEKDAYS, pick us up, drop me at work, and bring Rushda back to Haig Road. There, she was showered with ALL the attention and love. I felt blessed. This routine repeated again when Durrah arrived and I need to work, December 2007 till Durrah was enrolled in Infant Care, earlier this year. Every single weekdays morning, we see him.

Our final events with him...

12 March 2009 - Brunch at Tekka market. He brought us there for Alaudeen's biryani.

29 March 2009 - Came over to Pasir Ris, to visit us, as Rushda and I were down with gastric flu.

6 April 2009 - The girls and I went to Haig Road, as they were missing the little ones, and they have reserved some Briyani they cooked for a wedding the day before. The way they abided to Durrah's requests, I was envious. I remembered uncle telling me which route to take to avoid the evening peak traffic. And that night, there was a huge butterfly flew in, we had fun snapping away pics.

10 April 2009 - Good Friday holiday. Mardhiyah spent the day here. In the evening, we had Andak and uncle Mansor came to surprise us with dinner! They bought Mee Upeh and nasi Ayam from Bedok Corner. That night, Tamhid noticed Uncle was breathless when they did their Maghrib together. Rushda snapped away pics, got one of Uncle, sitting and watching the news.

12 April 2009 - He was weak at home. For the first time, he missed attending majlis diba'i of his own group, Nurul Jadid. He was the founder and coordinator of the group. So when Ayah called to say that Uncle Mansor was not well, I cried. I was so worried, that I accidentally sent a text to Uncle's phone. It was meant for Tamhid. The text says: "Uncle Mansor not well. He can't breathe." Anyway, that night, we went to Haig Road. Uncle gained some energy to walk to the hall to welcome his guests - his mother and siblings.

15 April 2009 - Received call that he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He was sent to ICU. That was the last time I saw him conscious, with a respiratory support machine, just like Mum last time. I kissed his hand, strapped with the call-button remote. He was gasping, trying to coordinate his breathing. Before I left, I told him I was going back. I recited Selawat Azamiyah, trying to tell him to do the same. He nodded. I saw Tamhid putting his hand on uncle's forehead. I couldn't let uncle see me cry, so I made a quick exit.

16 Apr to 19 Apr 2009 - We visited him at TTSH' ICU. He was sedated. Updates of his conditions fluctuated; mixed of good and not good.

20 April 2009 - I could not visit. Only for today.

21 April 2009 - Upon reaching work around 9.30am, got a call from Ayah. The doctors have called Andak and Mardhiyah to come to the hospital immediately. Uncle was not responding to the most expensive antibiotics administered. The moment of truth, doctor has informed that Uncle Mansor has weakened. To get all the family to come. I left work at 10am, clueless, aimless. Somehow, got myself to the hospital, there I saw Uncle's last moment. Then, he was gone. For REAL, he was gone.

Uncle Mansor will be remembered...

For his working charms on babies and young children; as Guru Mengaji; for his beautiful voice reciting the Quran or Qasidah; for the Biryani he cooked with Andak at weddings and events at masjid Kassim; for the month-long project he has during Ramadhan, at Masjid Kassim; as the friendly and helpful Comfort taxi driver. SHA 4323.

Ya Allah, I truly miss my uncle. He was a good man, and you are Most Knowing. Forgive his sins, and shower his space with light and beautiful things. Ya Allah, you are Most Merciful. Amin Ya Rabbal Aalamin.