Dear Mr Mir Majeed sahab,
I wish you, Sir, a happy and beautiful life ahead. It is difficult to find words to praise your selfless service, dedication and honesty. You are not only a teacher who educated me but a mentor. I’m writing to you not just as a former student, but as a son. Too often we go through life without looking back at the connection we feel with others and the gratitude we feel for their presence in our lives. You engaged, inspired, and empowered me and many other students every single day. I want you to know that I am indebted for the care you showed for me when I was behind bars.
On Friday, 29th January 2021, at about 7pm here in Saudi Arabia I saw a post uploaded by your younger son, Mr Mir Abrar, that Mr Majeed sb is going to retire on 30th January. I become very emotional after reading this news but could not write a single word because of my busy schedule here in Saudi Arabia. It was the closing of the month so I was too busy in my office. Otherwise, I was very keen to join in the farewell function via Zoom.
Perhaps it was March 2003 or 2004 when just 8 months after I became your student in Dorusa middle school that the government forces put me behind bars. When the TADA Court judge asked for my school record, my father approached the Dorusa school authority for my school attendance and other records. The school authority delayed providing the record, without any reason. According to my father, you and Mr Mir Yahya saab took pains for me and fought in the office for my record and made it ready in less than 30 minutes and handed it over to my father. According to him, you loudly said to the school authority that you would take responsibility for the record and that you had mentioned your name on it.
After my release from jail, you fortunately became my teacher again in High School Tekipora. I want to also mention here that I was one of your lucky students who never received any punishment from you. Alhamdulillah, I was always good in both the subjects, History and Maths, you taught me there.
I may not always say it, but I mean it whenever I say it, Thank you Majeed sir, for all the effort you made to help me, to encourage me, to help me become who I am today. The dignity and discipline you instilled in me has helped me become successful. What I can now recognise as your faith in my abilities showed me my true value, beyond what I or anyone else in my life believed. You showed me that I could be whatever I wanted, and that’s been the most important lesson I’ve ever learned from you.
Thank you for your time, your patience, your realness. Thank you for supporting me and caring about me. Thank you for inspiring me to learn, and for inspiring me to help others the way you did so. I will always be grateful to you for your teaching, honesty, support and kindness.
Regards,
Shah Fayaz
Jeddah
—The writer is currently working in Saudi Arabia

Shah Talha Fayaz