Indian-Origin Brothers, who founded South Africa Charity, die of Covid-19
PTI, Jul 29, 2020, 10:39 AM IST
Johannesburg: Two Indian-origin brothers and founding members of a renowned organization that offers community services in the sprawling Indian township of Lenasia in South Africa have died of coronavirus.
Abbas Sayed and Osman Sayed, the Chairman and President of the Saaberie Chishty Society, died on Friday and Saturday respectively and were buried side-by-side, as condolences continued to pour in from all over the world, including India, where the idea of the humanitarian work was sparked by a visit to Ajmer when Abbas was a teenager.
After their return from Ajmer, a small religious commemoration at their home in Lenasia soon transformed into a variety of charity and welfare projects for all communities in the apartheid era.
The brothers were among the six siblings who continued and expanded the work of the society started by their father, uncles, and aunts to include feeding schemes, building mosques and madrassahs, and a free ambulance service when there were no such facilities from the government in Lenasia where they lived.
“Like their forefathers, they worked tirelessly throughout their lives to serve the community with dedication. Tears flow as we remember their smiles and our insightful conversations with them,” said a message from religious leaders from Lucknow.
“They were men of dignity, honesty, truthfulness, and simplicity,” said another message from Panipat in Haryana, wherein 2009 the organization helped restore an ancient mosque 30 years after it had been closed down by raising funds in South Africa.
The novel coronavirus that first surfaced in China’s Wuhan city in December last year has claimed 7,257 lives and infected 459,761 people in South Africa.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
‘Idiot’: Former Canadian Sikh minister slams Justin Trudeau over Khalistan issue
Canadian cop suspended for attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple
US going to historically tight presidential election
Expect Canadian government to ensure justice, uphold rule of law: PM Modi
Khalistanis clash with people at Hindu temple in Canada, Trudeau says unacceptable
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Temple idols found desecrated in Hyderabad, case registered
Rebels to be shown the door: Maharashtra BJP chief Bawankule
Rohit Shetty says ‘Singham Again’ his fastest Rs 100 crore film, thanks audience for support
SC junks plea against quashing of LOC issued to ex-house help of Sushant Singh Rajput
People of Wayanad will ask me not to come there often: Priyanka Gandhi
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.