Goodbye President Hassanali

He was 88 years old. President Hassanali served as our Head of State for two consecutive terms from 1987 to 1997, accompanied by his wife First Lady Zalayhar Hassanali.

He was Trinidad and Tobago’s first East Indian Head of State and possibly the first Muslim Head of State in the Western hemisphere.

President Hassanali had the distinction of having served under three different governments. He was elected under the newly-formed NAR Government in 1987, re-elected under a PNM Government in 1992, and continued to serve under the UNC Government which came to office in 1995.

As Head of State he was a model of stability and calmness during a period of uncertainty caused by economic downturn and the 1990 attempted coup (which he missed while abroad on holiday). He was a gentle soul who was respected for his quiet dignity.

As Head of State he didn’t put a foot wrong, but stuck to his duties under the National Constitution. He was probably the country’s most apolitical president. One doesn’t readily recall any controversial statements made ever by President Hassanali.

High Court judge Justice Wendell Kangaloo once praised his former colleague, saying, “He was the epitome of statesmanship during his term as president. His reserved affable manner generated an atmosphere of calm and a sense of well-being throughout our beloved land.” President Hassanali was ably helped by his wife of 54 years Zalayhar who even after they left office had kept up a busy schedule of patronising charities and non-governmental organisations, including the Music Festival.

President Hassanali brought to bear on his office a diverse range of professional and personal experiences. While he studied law at the University of Toronto in 1943 to 1947, he also trained in the Canadian Army’s Officer Training Corps and served as both captain and coach of the university’s First Division Soccer Team. After being called to the bar at Gray’s Inn, London, he embarked on a distinguished legal career in Trinidad and Tobago which took him to the heights of becoming an Appeal Court Judge.

After he retired from the law, he was then elected President.

His presidency is remembered as a model of thriftiness, as his household bred their own tilapia in ponds and grew their own vegetables on the grounds of President’s House. Further, in accordance with his religious beliefs, no alcohol was served at President’s House, a move which surely helped the taxpayer. He is also believed to have spent his own money to repair President’s House.

President Hassanali and Mrs Hassanali served Trinidad and Tobago well. Sadly, however, it can’t always be said that Trinidad and Tobago served the Hassanalis well.

In a story, “All Presidents not equal”, Sunday Newsday on January 29, 2006, reported the hardships being faced by the Hassanalis who had to pay the cost of security, vehicle, and driver, which had otherwise been provided free by the Government for at least one other former Head of State.

One other dark cloud impacting on the Hassanalis was the incident in September 1989 when two gunmen fired three shots at the car in which Mrs Hassanali was travelling. Fortunately she was not injured, although to date no-one was ever convicted for the offence.

All in all we say President Hassanali had a good innings both in his professional and public life and served Trinidad and Tobago well.

We offer our condolences to his wife Zalayhar, and daughter Amena and son Khalid. May he rest in peace.