Love’s Alchemy: Thy Name is Abdulaziz [Archives:2000/23/Last Page]

Dr. Ramakanta Sahu
In life’s high way once in a blue moon we happen to meet a person often quite unexpectedly, who becomes a face in the crowd, an integral part of our living memory. For me, perhaps the most remarkable human being I remember to have met in the recent past who has cast a spell on me and left in my mind an indelible impress is Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Saqqaf.
It was my first visit to Yemen as an expatriate teacher. I looked around and what struck me in a new cultural crucible. I jotted down and wanted to share the experience with others. That took me to the premises of the Yemen Times, to have it published. I had some sense of uncertainty about the people, their manners and the way they would receive a stranger like me. What I met with there, however, was quite heartening that deeply touched me. There he was, a handsome young man with a charming smile and lots of warmth that at one endeared me to him and to the organization of which he was the head. The embryo of love that was germinated that moment has since sprouted up and has grown from strength to strength. The more I came to know him through his vibrant professionalism, the more my appreciation for him grew. Here was a man almost my contemporary, but who has striven to become an institution, a veritable living legend; Dr. Abulaziz wanted to transform the world with one instrument in his hand – Love. He cultivated love, radiated love which multiplied and created an aura for himself and a congenial atmosphere for others to live, breathe and nourish themselves. That is something unique about him. He was a passionate ambassador for creating a new world order. He left too early to see his mission fulfilled. What he himself would have achieved, may his benediction now enable his worthy successors to accomplish. Peace be upon him.

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