“Go and study”, he would repeatedly bellow. After finishing school, in the hot muggy weather, I would be annoyed hearing this repeatedly.
My father would come back from Maktab Sains and have a quick lunch with no time to rest, then get ready for his afternoon classes either at the lstana, teaching the royal children or preparing for tuition at home.
In the midst of that, he would make sure that my brothers and I were separated in our individual rooms to study. In the background my mother would be busy at home with her English tuition. This was them at their peak in the late 1990s. Life was simple back then.
In my opinion, both my parents have taught the nation – from high ranking royals to the everyday simpletons like the rest of us. My father was a truly, dedicated teacher. He was the best science/Biology teacher there was.
Even at the the very end, despite being away on holidays, he would still make time on Skype teaching a few students prior to their exams. Now that’s a legend.
My father had many plans but Allah the Almighty had decreed that he be with Him. He went off peacefully but we have lost the head of our family. This was unexpected and devastating for my family.
Who can give you guarantee they/you can live for hours, days or even till you are 90? No matter how wealthy or how poor, how famous or powerful one is, Death is inevitable.
My brothers and I would not be in the position that we are today without our parents’ perseverance. They may not have received the recognition that they deserved for the sacrifices and efforts they made during their time in Brunei but I do not know of anyone who was more disciplined and hard working than my parents. My father was our greatest inspiration.
Thank you to all who have been with us during our time in Brunei Darussalam. He loved it here and would have liked nothing more than to continue living here.
For those whom he touched with his knowledge, wisdom and guidance, we request you to keep him in your prayers and uphold his values.
With my father’s passing, we begin the closure of our chapter in Brunei, wrapping up 45 years of our lives.
– Dr. Shafiq Rahman Bin Abdul Gaffoor Shabiyulla on behalf of Abdul Gaffoor Shabiyulla’s (Shafeeullah) Family
