Hundreds pay last respects to Moean

CULTURAL Ambassador of East Indian music and recipient of a Hummingbird Gold Medal, Moean Mohammed, 68, was yesterday remembered as a man who was an inspiration to artistes and a cultural icon. The glowing tributes were paid yesterday by politicians and friends of Mohammed at his funeral service at his Mohammedville, El Socorro home. Hundreds turned out to pay their final respects in extremely hot conditions,  including Government and Opposition politicians, artistes, family and friends. Mohammed’s body arrived at 9.45 am at the house in a box, covered in a black cloth with Islamic verses written in yellow. Muslims do not bury in coffins. The service included prayers from various Imams and greetings from politicians. Mohammed’s nephew, popular host of the Mastana Bahar programme, welcomed mourners telling them that his uncle had passed away on Monday evening following a long ailment. An opening prayer by Imam Shiraz Ali drew tears from relatives, who wept quietly throughout the service. Culture Minister Pennelope Beckles led the greetings. In expressing her condolences, Beckles recognised the “tremendous contribution” made by Mohammed to the country, acknowledging not only his work but that of his family, both in culture and politics. Opposition Member of Parliament for St Augustine, Winston Dookeran, described Mohammed as a “source of real inspiration for artistes”, a man who left behind many who were inspired by his contribution. “He has left his legacy and a history we can be proud of” said Dookeran, who recalled that Mohammed had committed his life to the development of Indian culture. Also paying tribute to Mohammed were Tony Maharaj, Managing Director of 90.5 FM and Pundit Hardath Maharaj.

Both remembered Mohammed as an icon and cultural ambassador. Pundit Maharaj consoled mourners telling them that Mohammed was only leaving physically, while another Imam said although “a great oak had fallen and the golden voice of radio was silenced”,  his death was merely a part of the evolution to his eventual state. During the service, goose bumps rose as Mohammed’s voice echoed among mourners when a three-second clip of his opening on his popular “Sunday Morning Indian Hour” programme was played. His wife Fazila sat alongside Mohammed’s body throughout the service wiping tears away. She was Mohammed’s second wife, the first died in 1991. Before his body was taken for burial at the El Socorro cemetery, the final prayer, Janaza, was offered. The box bearing Mohammed’s body was placed on the ground and dozens of men, led by Haji Omar offered prayers. Women are not allowed to partake in that prayer. Personalities present were Community Development Minister, Joan Yuille-Williams; Parliamentary Secretary, Satish Ramroop; Eddie Hart, Rose Janniere, Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar and former Prisons Commissioner Cipriani Baptiste. Opposition MPs Ganga Singh, Sadiq Baksh, Manohar Ramsaran, Chandresh Sharma, former MPs Errol Mahabir and Hulsie Bhaggan as well as attorney Jainath Seeram, SC were also in attendance. Mohammed is survived by his brothers: former Caricom Ambassador Kamal Mohammed and Haidar,  sisters Nazma, Meena and Haliman, his wife Fazila, children Sadro, Aruna, Safie and Zakir, plus five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, including former PNM Senator Nafeesa Mohammed.