A man of humility passes on

His grave is located in close proximity to where ordinary people have been buried.

The last rites were a private ceremony, and members of the media were allowed to view the proceedings from a distance.

Her face etched in grief, the widow of Hassanali, Zalayhar, told members of the media that her husband wanted his burial to be a private affair, and she asked the media to respect the wishes of her husband.

Earlier on, at the Clarke and Battoo Chapel, a service was held so that specially invited mourners could pay their last respects.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning turned up at the chapel and spent close to ten minutes before leaving. He spoke briefly with Zalayhar Hassanali.

The father of two died peacefully in his sleep at his Westmoorings home at about 3 am yesterday.

Prior to his death he was bed-ridden and was being treated by Dr Poon King.

He told his wife and children that when he died he wanted no State funeral, and preferred that the service and burial be kept a private affair.

He also wanted his family to continue giving charity to the poor.

Hassanali gave his pension amounting to close to $9,000 to the poor.

He spent his last days in the company of his wife and children.

His daughter, Amena, who is a teacher, living in London, visited Trinidad recently to spend some time with him.

She returned to England a few days ago and was not able to attend the funeral of her father. When Newsday attempted to interview the widow of the former President yesterday, she declined an interview. It is not customary for wives of Muslim men to witness their burial, but this was not seen yesterday when Zalayhar Hassanali turned up to witness the burial of her husband.

Relatives of the Hassanalis told Newsday yesterday that he died with a lot of sorrow on his mind.

He felt that he was not given the respect by the current administration.

Reports revealed that the Hassanalis wrote to Manning requesting a tax waiver on the purchase of a new car.

The former President never received the tax waiver up until the time of his death.

In a release sent yesterday, Minister of National Security Martin Joseph said that as a sign of respect to former President Noor Hassanali’s memory, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country.