I know him since 2019. He was the leader of a grant that we wanted to apply. Allah Knows best that the collaboration did not materialise. He was apologetic when we knew the results. It was an experience that I will never forget seeing him apologising to all members in our WhatsApp group.
I had a second chance to meet him again in September 2019. We met in a meeting room of the IIUM Rector’s office. I was feeling small to be seated in the same table of all intellectuals. From Prof Amir, I know Prof Ahmad Murad Merican, another intellectual that I admire.
A message from Prof Murad last Friday left me feeling numb. “It cannot be true” my first thought. He was young. He was healthy. Wait! I met him more than three years ago. Many things had happened since then which I did not know. How foolish am I to think things do not change? He passed away around 4am, Saturday morning (18 December 2022).
Prof Amir, it is an honor to meet and know you in person. With your calm demeanor, you show me how to be a good leader. Your kindness and patience while we were scrambling to put things together within a few weeks are something that I will try to emulate. I learn a lot from you.