Millennium Campaign Announces Passing of Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, Deputy Director for Africa
Nairobi, May 25, 2009: It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of the United Nations Millennium Campaign Deputy Director for Africa and leading Pan-Africanist Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem. He passed away in a road accident on his way to launch a maternal health campaign in Kigali, Rwanda. The accident happened early this morning on Mombasa road en route to Jomo Kenyatta airport, in Nairobi, Kenya.
UN Millennium Campaign Director Salil Shetty said that Africa had suffered an irreplaceable loss. “Taju was amongst Africa’s foremost voices for pan Africanism and social justice, both inside and outside the continent and his weekly postcard and columns in about 10 major African newspapers made him known to virtually everybody in Africa and friends of Africa across the world,” he said.
Noting that Dr. Tajudeen has over the last four years tirelessly campaigned for African leaders to keep their commitments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and poverty eradication by 2015, he added, “Dr. Tajudeen’s towering intellect, moral fiber and courage of conviction allowed him to speak truth to power like nobody could. It is ironic that on Africa Day (May 25) Africa has lost one of its greatest voices and the Millennium Development Goals, its most credible advocate in Africa.”
Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem joined the UN Millennium Campaign in March 2006 as the Deputy Director for Africa. His primary role was to lead the Africa team in inspiring citizens across Africa to become more proactive in engaging their leaders to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals. He is recognized for his outspokenness and strong leadership role in campaigning for global justice, good governance, public accountability, human rights, democracy, regional integration and Pan Africanism.
He has also been a freelance journalist, writer and political analyst writing and speaking regularly on contemporary Africa in newspapers, magazines, journals and radio and was an analyst for the BBC's World Service Programs on Africa in Hausa and English, Radio France International and Voice of America. He was the founding coordinator of the London-based Africa Research and Information Bureau and also editor of its journal, Africa World Review. He is better known on the internet and in the print media for his syndicated weekly column, TAJUDEEN’S POSTCARD, which is widely circulated online and is published in several newspapers in different countries in Africa.
Until his death, he was serving as a trustee, board member or patron of many civil society organizations and charities including the Centre for Democracy and Development, Justice Africa, Hauwa Memorial College and the Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Programme. He was also the Secretary to the Advisory Committee of the Abuja-based Media Trust Group of Newspapers’ “African Person of the Year Award” which recognises Africans who have made real contributions to the development of Africa in the preceding year.
Prior to joining the Millennium Campaign, he was the General Secretary of the Pan African Movement Secretariat in Kampala, Uganda and Co-Director of the London-based human rights and peace organization Justice AFRICA.
Dr. Abdul-Raheem was born in 1961 in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria. He was educated at government schools in Funtua and went to Bayero University, Kano, where he graduated with a first class honours degree in Political Science in 1982. He was winner of the Federal Government of Nigeria's Merit Award as the best student of Political Science between 1980-1982 at Bayero University. After his National Youth Service, Tajudeen was elected Rhodes Scholar for Nigeria and preceded to St. Peter's College, Oxford University, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Politics.
He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Funtua, Katsina State, Nigeria on May, 26 2009. UN staff, civil society campaigners and grassroots activists will pay their last respects at the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi today at 1:00 p.m.
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Comments
Oh My God, This is really a
Oh My God, This is really a sad news that the Deputy Director for Africa and leading Pan-Africanist Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem has died in a road accident.
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insurance
RIP.We all Will always
RIP.We all Will always Miss Him.
My deepest sympahty and
My deepest sympahty and sincere condolence to the Family of Dr Abdul-Raheem. Taju you are what African needs and you have laid a foundation for the future of Africa. My sincere condolence to the UNDP family and to Africa. We will miss you.
Bamidele A Ojo.Phd
Professor of Political Science
School of Political & International Studies
Fairleigh Dickinson University. Nj. USA
Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem will be remembered
Dear all,
Please allow me to express my sincere condolence on the passing of honorable Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem. Despite his untimely departure, I am convinced that those who share the same cause with Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem will continue following after his path with firm resolution to combat for equal opportunities and just social welfare that underlie a better world without poverty, injustice and degradation.
May Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem rest in peace!
Rongkun Liu
China
remembering Taju
Thinking about Taju a smile appears on our faces. Probably everybody who has ever met him remembers a very special and very personal moment with him. He had the talent to make everybody feel special, to make everybody feeling to be taken in serious.
When the G8 took place in Germany in 2007, we were very lucky because we were able to enjoy Taju’s presence over some days. His time management was a real challenge for good German punctuality, this for sure. But although not caring about any rule or convention, everybody who met him seemed to love him!
After having handed over the African demands for the G8 summit in Weimar to the German president Horst Köhler, we went to the favourite pub of Germany’s famous poet “Goethe”. Taju would always remember this evening by saying: “This was the first time in my life, that the owner and the staff had left the pub, leaving the door open and telling us, we should just close it, when we leave”.
He anyway enjoyed a VIP service in every pub he visited – a logical consequence of his skill to know the name of the waitress or the waiter by entering the location.
After a couple of days in Germany Taju started to call himself “Associate of the German Campaign”. Hey, this was a real pleasure for us but probably his campaign colleagues became a little jealous as he was more often in Germany than in Nairobi during the summit. Being an associate of the German Campaign, Taju had to get along with the somehow fade tasting traditional food in Germany. What to do?
Like a real African, he would love to eat good hot chilly peppers and so we always provided him a big bag full of really spicy chilly peppers as side dish. But what he really appreciated was the good German beer! There was no complaint about that.
Another unforgettable situation was in Cairo on the market place when Taju was bargaining with an Egyptian market woman over 10-20 gifts to bring back to his children, nieces and nephews. The market women never had so much fun before and at the end she sold the gifts at the lowest price ever. And in Milan, at our retreat the special leisure programme was a speedboat trip on a canal. Taju preferred to lie down in the secure centre of the boat and cried out with a big smile in his face and fear in his eyes “I am a son of the desert – I can not swim”.
These are only a few situations we will always remember, when thinking of our wonderful colleague and dear friend Taju. We will always keep him in our heart.
Nobody understands the big plan – maybe Taju has been called to an even more important mission now.
The German campaign team: Renée, Steffi and Ralf
Passing Away of Brother Tajudeen
Brother Tajudeen has sacrificed so much in such a short period of time and has attracted so mujch attention both in and outside Africa that it would be difficult for us to forget him. Although his physical person is gone, but his spirit lives with us for ever. I have met on a number of occassions and he has impressed me as a strong, serious and purposeful Pan-Africanist.
May Allah, The Gracious, forgive his sins and shower His blessings on him and may He guide his family. May He also give us the strength to continue the unfinished business.
Dead But Alive
Dr Taju,
You may not be here right now but your ideas will live forever.We may not be able to hear your voice now but you are the voice of the African people.You are not dead but alive in our hearts , especially in the heart of your good friend,Sir Tony Akinola,my brother..through whom I heard about you and your love to everyone.Even though,you were born a Nigerian from Yoruba parents,you were a Pan_Africanist to the core.We will never forget you.Sleep well.
Michael Akinola
Washington,DC
An evaluator's condolences
I only met Taju once during my work evaluating the UN Millennium Campaign, though I feel I knew him indirectly through is work. He made a big impression on me during our first meeting; I found him to be charming, intelligent and fun. As an evaluator, I can see he was one of the driving forces in the campaign, and a big personality. I’m sure his loss will be felt far and wide.
sorry
i heard the news with deep regret and sorrow for the course that he led. He is truely a Pan Africanist and his name will not be missed in the books of the MDGs and Africa as a whole. As a former Assisant Coordinator for the MDGs, Ghana, i came to understand and know the path that he led to make African governments responsible for achieving the MDGs. May his soul rest in prfect peace.
on my brother Taju
Taju
No words can express the helplessness , hopelessness I feel . how can I accept that you are gone? I have not quite. I had plans of things to do with you.
From the first day I met you in that London office of the Institute for African Alternatives, that Ben Turok run, so many years ago, you have been always an inspiration to me.
Our paths have crossed so many times, and each time we met, you were the same Taju, with the same big dream of a united, free, strong, prosperous, compassionate Africa. The same optimism, the same bursting energy, infectious laughter, subtle sensitivity, charm and poise.
There was a time I disagreed with you about Ugandan politics and tried to avoid you but you sought me out and reminded me that I was a Pan Africanist and that I had to look at the larger picture not the smaller one of Uganda and its petty politics. You were right.
When you found me at UNDP, you burst out in your signature loud laughter, and i will never forget what you said; “Winnie, i will be counting how many days you will last in the UNDP bureaucracy. Each single day you are there will be a victory for UNDP”, How generous, how empowering! I will always remember you for all those subtle ways that you encouraged me to struggle on, never to lose hope in Africa – to organise and not to agonise!
Taju, your dream will come true. we, Pan Africanists , will work to realise it and pass the baton on when it is time to leave the race. – justl ike you have done. I will miss you – i iwll miss bumping into you in the most unexpected spots on our continent, debating loudly, laughing , nudging each other on. Rest in peace my brother. You have not died, you are alive.
From your sister ,
Winnie Byanyima
We have lost Taju...
This is indeed sad news and a big lost for the MDGs promotion in Africa. Taju was among those who believed that good governance is key for the MDG achievements. We all enjoyed reading his weekly post cards. He will definitely be missed. Please convey to his family our condolences and may his soul rest in peace.
Moustapha
Deputy Regional Director
Regional Bureau for Africa (UNDP)
Rest in peace Taju, We will miss you...
Whenever I think of Taju I always remember the first time I met him, at the Asia-Africa retreat last May – his laugh, his warm bear hug and his booming voice saying ‘Mandira, you are as crazy as the rest of us in this campaign and we will make you crazier!’ I joined the campaign because of the energy and the vision that I saw in that small room and the belief that it is only passion that brings about change.
Taju lit up any room, any conversation, and his passion showed in every word he said. He was truly an inspiration. I met him only a few times but those few were enough to know he had a clear heart and a deep compassion which showed through his work and his life. I feel privileged and blessed to have have known him and to have shared his life for such a short time. Having met Taju I truly believe that a few people like him are enough to change the world.
My prayers and thoughts are with his wife and children and family and colleagues and friends and all the people who knew and loved Taju.
At this moment of grief I would like to remember Taju loudly singing his favourite Hindi film song… Rest in peace Taju, We will miss you.
Mandira
prayers and thoughts
Dear friends,
I was deeply shocked and speechless that I couldn’t pull myself to write yesterday. Last night, I had a dream about him and I woke up in the middle of the night — thinking it was only a dream — all this must be only a dream, but sadly not.
When we first met in Delhi I said to him “Hi Taju, it’s nice to finally meet you, I’d heard so much about you from Ryce and Som”. He said “don’t believe a word they say”. I said “No? but they speak highly of you”. And we started laughing insanely… he called me “dangerous petite woman”. After the retreat we spent an afternoon shopping together, me, Taju, Som and Ehab. Of course, Taju stuck on my heart from that days on.
Speaking from a person who’s so far away and only met him a couple of times — I’m bumped. So I’m sending my prayers and thoughts to all of you to stay strong through this difficult time. Please also pass my condolences to Taju’s family and his loved ones.
With love,
Jasmine
We will really miss you Taju!
Dear friends,
We at National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) are completely shocked to hear the sad demise of Taju. It was not very long ago when I met him in Newyork. He was telling all of us about our experiences of visiting Taj Mahal in Agra.
Our team got introduced with him when he along with the UN Millennium Campaign team visited one of our work area in Delhi and addressed the people of village Badarpur Khadar.
He was wonderfully cheerful person. No one could remain without smiling and laughing in his company. He was to visit us again next month with MPs from Africa. Whole NACDOR team was eagerly looking forward to his company again.
Our deepest condolence to his family and friends. We will really miss you TAJU!
Ashok Bharti
On behalf of NACDOR
Tajudeen Abdul Raheem
We in the Mindanao, Philippines, would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Africa Deputy Director Dr. Tajudeen Abdul Raheem. Just like our very own ABPA Vice president Nikki Hayudini who was among the victims of violence here in the Philippines in 2007, we all mourn for the demise of strong anti-poverty campaigners around the globe.
Their unconditional efforts and dedicated convictions to free the world from clutches of poverty and hunger will be carried on by the generations of anti-poverty campaigners they left behind with equal commitment and dogged determination.
Again our condolences and more power to the African Team. Lets the struggle burning against poverty and hunger !
Sincerely,
JOLLY S. LAIS
Assalam Bangsamoro People’s Association (ABPA)
Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines
my condolences
My heart goes out to Taju’s family, the Africa team, the entire Millennium Campaign, and all those that were touched by Taju’s passion and good humor. As I write I’m listening to Femi Kuti and other Afro-beat musicians, mindful of their struggle against corrupt regimes and for a better life for their countrymen and women, and how Taju also embodied those ideals.
With the exception of perhaps Serwah and myself, Taju was the greatest Obama supporter on the Campaign. The few times I met him in person he greeted me with chants of “Obama Obama,” and he, along with all our colleagues, shared our joy on election day in November and on inauguration day in January. I had told him that on his next visit to the States he’d have to come to Washington, where I’d get him a White House tour and perhaps he could help ME get a meeting with the President! It will make this year’s Stand Up all the more meaningful if President Obama participates in Stand Up. I will dedicate this effort to Taju.
Yesterday was Memorial Day in the US, and President Obama asked Americans to ring a bell at 3pm in honor of the fallen. I had learned of Taju’s passing only a few minutes before so I took that time to ring my family’s wind chime in his honor. Taju didn’t wear a uniform, but he did wage battle against injustice, was a soldier in the war against global poverty, fought for the rights of the poor and marginalized, and believed deeply that the MDGs must be achieved.
He will be missed.
Love,
Anita
some words for Taju
Dear everyone..
I am so so sorry to hear about what happened to dear Taju…. You never can be prepared for such a shock and I know it must be very painful for all of you to lose such an amazing colleague.
I just wanted to join the thousands of other voices in expressing my sadness about this, but also to say that even in my sadness I feel a sort of reassuring smile come to my face when I remember Taju’s loud voice, colourful clothes and wonderful soul, what he stood for, the things he said and how he made people around him think and feel…....... he was such a beautiful person.
I know Taju is pretty irreplaceable, but I hope his absence won’t make us feel empty but will make the passion in us burn a little stronger.
I guess life gives you these gifts along the way, but they are not always for you to keep and when they get taken away we have to try to feel happy about what they gave us when they were around..not only sad that they are gone…
In Spanish we have a little saying for times of sadness…it says:
“Don’t cry if the sun hides away…
Your tears might not let you see the stars”
All the best..
we’ll miss u ya tajudeen!
Layla SaadSinceres condolences
Dear Friends,
This is a terrible loss of a man of Truth and Passion, a deeply rooted Pan-Africanist Civil Society Leader and Citizen of the world,
a true militant for Peoples’ Development.
I would like to present my sincere condolences to the whole Team.
May he rest in Peace !
Let’s have the strength to carry this heavy burden of sadness and transform it into force to keep his memory alive !Thierno
Thierno Kane
Director
Civil Society Organizations Division (UNDP NY)
Your laugh, smile and words
Your laugh, smile and words will remain alive my friend.
In solidarity,
L
Sincerest condolences
Two days have passed already and I still can’t find the right words to express this most tangible of losses. I try to visualize the void that dear Taju has left behind both at work and at home and can only see something that is fathomless.
That said, I feel a richer person, honoured by the fact that our paths did manage to cross on this earth, and especially for such a noble cause. I have faith that for many more years Taju will nonetheless continue to be one of the Millennium Campaign’s principle guiding lights.
The last time I saw Taju
The last time I saw Taju was in the Millennium Campaign’s global annual meeting in Bangkok in January 2009. As always, Taju’s overwhelming sense of humour and sheer loudness dominated the gathering and drove it forward positively and animatedly.
Every human loss is tragic, but the passing of someone like Taju is particularly sad, because it reminds us all of how fragile we are. We will keep forever in our memory his incredible cheerfulness; Taju was the image of the Africa that should be and so his legacy will continue to fuel our efforts in the fight against poverty.
My heart and deepest sympathy go out to Taju’s family and friends at this time of grief.
Condolences
I send my deepest condolences to the wife of Dr. Taju , to their two children, the extended family and the bigger African family. Although The Great Continent has lost one of its Pillars, it is my utmost conviction that his children will live his legacy!!
In memory of Taju
Whenever I think of Taju, I always remember him as someone with an incredible strength and optimism. His passion showed in every word he said as well as on every laugh he made. In fact, his laugh was a very characteristic sound of him that will remain always as the sound of a positive inspiration.
My deepest condolences to the African team and his family.
I would like to join people
I would like to join people from around the world in sending condolences to Taju’s family and to the UN Millennium Campaign. Taju was and will ever remain an inspiration to many of us.
Miquel
Taju
My sympathy for the loss of the great man Taju. May God give you the strength to bear the loss. I pray that you and the children will get through this very difficult time. He was truly a great man. I met Taju at Oxford and anytime I visited him, he would make peanut butter stew with amala, eba or pounded yam. I was also honored to be at his graduation ceremony at Oxford. May His Soul Rest in Peace. Amen.
Taju
Dear Taju,
I am now at home, and I can’t believe you were here less than two weeks ago laughing and chatting with the team, James and Julia, celebrating the Civil G8.
I remember our joyful and animated discussion on the dress you chose for the TV interviews on the first day; and the subsequent decision we took that I would be your fashion adviser from now on for Italian and European TV. The following day, it was very sweet to see you wear a traditional African dress.
I could write pages about both the funny and also the substantive discussions we had. I remember when you gave me a full 3 hour training session on the Kenyan political crisis to prepare me for a tough TV interview.
Or I recall when you welcomed me in Nairobi at my hotel while I was having Campari, you were having an African tea which you beautifully described as” in Africa we drink the tea with everything in it”.
But what makes me reflect most profoundly is the memory of when you told me why you quit smoking when we were in Milan… You said that a few years ago you oldest daughter had asked you to quit smoking, because she wanted you alive for her.
This conversation replays continuously in my head, and shows again and again how much your love for life and your family were always with you.
Hugs forever,
Marina
Aluta Continua!
Unfortunately, I never met Comrade Tajudeen in person while he was alive. However, I read a lot about him from several collections including those of Wole Soyinka and Kayode Fayemi. I also followed a lot of his commentaries. He has left a huge legacy that we must strive to uphold even in the face of harassment and intimidation. Current and future generations of Africans will forever be grateful to Tajudeen for his vision, courage and uncommon passion for African development and unity.
The struggle continues…
May Allah Accept your soul
With heavy heart i received the sad news of the great loss of one of our illustrious sons of Africa. This is a collective sorrow, we are pained. May the almighty provide the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Tajudeen
I had never met Tajudeen, but I felt that I knew him and that he was a colleague and friend. He managed to inspire the many people he met in person or with his pen. He will be sadly missed, but we will keep his memory alive. He combined in his large personality integrity, intellect, wit, humour and razor sharp honesty. My God rest his soul in peace.
Reverend Amos Kasibante
Anglican Priest, Church of England
Condolences
Please convey my condolences and deepest sympathy to Taju’s family. He will be sorely missed.
The sad passing of Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
Early on Monday morning (May 25th), we received the sad news from U.K. that Brother Taju was no more, and that he died in an auto accident in Nairobi, Kenya, on his way to the airport to depart for Kigali, Rwanda. Since Brother Taju was a foremost Pan-Africanist, we were not suprised that he was on his way to Rwanda to take care of a Pan-Africanist business. However, we could not believe that we could be so easily robbed of such a brilliant mind. We still remember Brother Taju’s visit to Indiana University, USA, where he spoke to a large enthusiastic gathering about Pan-Africanism and Africa in general! We feel blessed that Brother Taju visited our home and left his footprints as well as blessings, and that our two young sons got to meet and also call him “Uncle Taju”. Shelley, the mourning poet, wrote in “Death the Leveller” that the glories of our lives are shadows but not substantial things, and that there is no amour against fate! When mourning Brother Taju, we bear these words in mind, but we are sure that we will meet him again in Heaven because he was such a fine gentleman! Brother Taju, rest in perfect peace until we meet again! A.B. & Yvette Assensoh, Indiana University-Bloomington, USA!
Condolences
On behalf of the US NGO community we offer our condolences to Taju’s family and friends. Taju’s commitment to improve human well-being across Africa by advancing the MDGs is a legacy that continues to touch countless lives. He will be missed.
Regards,
Sam Worthington
President
InterAction
Great African Son Passes on
We should not agonise but organise as Taju had always equiped.This great son of Africa made footprints on many African nations.His spirit of panafricanism will remain with us.May his great work here on earth inspire many to follow in the true spirit of Pan-Africanism. Ironically, Taju died on May 25, Africa day!!
Fare thee well gallant son of Africa.
Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem,
Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, the most irrepressible Pan Africanist of his generation, died in Nairobi on 24 May 2009. His friends and colleagues are stunned at the loss of a man who was so full of life and humour, such a determined Afro-optimist, and such a devoted father to his children, Aisha and Aida. Africa is impoverished by his untimely death.
Tajudeen was a Director of Justice Africa, Chairperson for the Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Programme (PADEAP) and Chair of the International Governing Council of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). He joined the United Nations as its coordinator for outreach on the Millennium Development Goals in Africa, and was living and working from a base in Nairobi in recent years.
Tajudeen never allowed his critical sense degenerate into cynicism or disillusion. His confidence in Africa and Africans to resolve their problems, whatever the setbacks, was always undimmed. His untimely death leaves a vacuum of human energy and hope that will be difficult to fill.
Condolence
This is indeed a sad development. I met Dr. Tajudeen Abdulreem only once and it was a pure concidence in a town in the south western part of Nigeria. Even though we never knew each other previously but the ease with which we related and threw banter for the about ninety minutes we spent together show him as a man that is very easy to relate to, we did some catching up about growing up in Funtua (Nigeria) and then when on to talk the premiership (england) and all this seem just like yesterday to me!.
May Allah forgive his frailities and grant him Fir’daus. May God give those he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. Truly life can be difficult to comprehend.
Late Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
The untimely death of Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem is among the worst news for Africa and Africans because late Dr. Tajudeen believed in Pan-Africanism and loved unity of our continent in the true sense of the word.
We have lost Tajudeen, Nyerere, Nkrumah and Sankara.
MY CONDOLENCES
Kindly pass on my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr.Tajudeen upon his untimely death. I learn t about it last evening while viewing UBC TV news at 7:00pm Uganda time. I’ll personally miss his educative and rich in style articles in the print media. I still recall his article titled “First Lady Syndrome is a Global Epidemic” which appeared in The New vision of Thursday 12th May 2005. It was a real masterpiece. Taju rest in peace.
May His Soul Rest in Peace
As an avid reader of Tajudeen’s Postcard it is with great sorrow that I hear of his passing on. My heartfelt condolences go out to his Family and all the people that knew him well and worked with him.May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Colin
We will always remember
We will always remember him. my almight God rest him in peace
Taju
I would like to send my deepest condolences to Taju’s wife and children. In my brief 3 months wtih the Millennium Campaign in New York, I feel privileged to have met and worked with Taju, he was an inspiration, a passionate and gifted man, with a great sense of humour and a wonderful twinkle in his eye, he will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched. With my prayers and best wishes to you all, love Rachel
Condolence
May the good Lord judge him with mercy and rest him in everlasting peace.
My deepest condolence for Taju's entire family
Dear All,
I know it’s a huge loss both for Taju’s family and for the whole campaign. I have never met Taju but I heard a lot about him.
Please accept my deepest condolence.
Regards,
Rahul
I will always remember Taju!
I still can not believe it … Taju is no more! He so lively and full of spirit, passion and wit … how can he suddenly become a photograph! I met him only once … during the global staff retreat in Bangkok in January 2009 … but it was sufficient to become connected! I still can hear his loud and open laughter, witty comments to make any discussion brighter and colorful, his promise to come to Bangladesh though he was afraid of water (he knew that flood is a regular phenomenon in Bangladesh)!
I really dont know how his wife and children and family and friends will recover the loss who were connected with him deeply!
My deepest condolence for his family and Africa team! He will remain in my heart as an inspiration!
Monisha
(UN Millennium Campaign, Bangladesh)
Sorry for such a loss
My company would like to say sorry for the lost of your husband and father… he was all of us father especially us from west africa. He has always been my Pan Africanist role model. My country (Liberi)in general say sorry and encourage you to keep hope in the Almighty God and all will be well.
Condolences from the Philippines
The world had become a lonelier place without Taju’s resounding laughter, quick-witted remarks, unwavering commitment to change the world, and his overall presence.
We have lost one of our greatest Campaigners and friends. Africa has lost one of its great leaders. Our retreats will never be the same again without Taju’s hearty laughter and impassioned comments and remarks. At the January 2009 Bangkok retreat, I looked forward not only to Taju’s jokes and laughter, but to his wonderfully beautiful ‘Royal’ outfits.
To Taju’s family, our sincerest condolences from the Philippines.
To the African team, we mourn with you. Taju will be in our hearts for always.
My condolences to Tajudeen Abudul-Raheem's family
I was with Tajudeen on a flight from Accra to Dakar on the 11th May 2009, to attend the AfDB. We arrived in the early hours of the 12th and the AfDB official told Tajudeen that one of his bags was left in Accra. He did not accept the explanation and he pursued it until he found did his bag.I then had the privilege of sharing the shuttle bus with him and two other men, enroute to our hotel. That gave me a chance to have a good conversation with him. We did certainly did touch on issues like the VIP lounge that had no flowing water, yet had all the plush cars waiting outside – so symptomatic of Africa and he irate bus driver who did not want to wait for the other 2 gentlemen to check whether they could find rooms in our hotel. The next time I saw him was in the morning at the conference and that was the last.
May he rest in peace.
Peter
Condolences to the family of brother Taju
Inna Lillah Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajeoun
It is with deep regret that I mourn the death of my dear brother and friend Taju. We were together the whole of last week in Monrovia, and Dakar. Our last moments together were Friday prayers at the airport mosque in Dakar and he insisted having a photo with me at the mosque to add to his collection of mosque pictures, then a big hug at the departure lounge with the last words… my brother see you in Rome in July , I will bring you the shirts you left in the hotel in Nairobi.
Behold, this was the last time I was to see or speak to him but “If both Allah and man need the same thing, man looses out” which is the case here and so we accept the will and call of Allah the almighty. Brother Taju may Allah, the almighty forgive you and grant you eternal rest.
To the wife and two beautiful girls, this is beyond the imaginable but let us remember that it is the will of Allah. Please accept my heart-felt condolences
Rest in Peace
I am shocked and moved by this tragedy. I cannot imagine that somebody who is so much full of life and passion is gone. This is beyond what words can describe.
My deep and respectful condolences to his family, the African team and to the colleagues that shared his enthusiasm and dedication.
In deep sadness,
Sebastian
Tajuedeen Abdul-Raheem, 1961-2009
Inna Lillah Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajeoun
It is with my deepest sympathy that I morn my brother Taju, he was indeed an example of a friend, brother and colleague. I am still in shock and disbelief. His remarkable laughter and loud voice can never be forgotten and also his love for his family. Aisha and Aida, your father loved you so much and you were always on his priority list whenever he traveled, he ensured that he gets you what you asked for. I think Salil spoke for all of us when he said that Africa lost one of its most prominent activists for the fight against poverty.
We will surely miss his charisma and encouragement and I am sure that the UN Millennium Campaign will never be the same without Taju.
We had plans together, we were supposed to be meeting soon and wanted to do a few things together (he always had the Campaign on his mind), but God almighty decided otherwise. We must be strong believers and accept God’s wish and that he is moving to a better place now.
I am sure that his legend will last forever, and that is what we should cherish, his good qualities, his kind heart, his talent to speak up regardless of the audience, and his dedication to the causes he strongly believed in and overall, we all will remember his laughter.
We also shared the love for chili pepper, football, and Italy!
Taju my friend, may God almighty bless your soul and accept you with his forgiveness into his heavens.
Ehab Burawi (UN Millennium Campaign, NY)
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