Fazil Backus left us in the evening of Sunday 6 March and was laid down to rest on Monday 7 March at Plaine des Papayes cemetery.
He had been suffering from acute pains in his joints for 6 months and it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to walk. He consulted half a dozen doctors who prescribed all sorts of pain relievers and pain killers but the suffering did not subside. Finally, one experienced practitioner advised for a CT scan which revealed that Fazil had lumps along his colon and that they were spreading fast. The C word was only pronounced after a biopsy.
Fazil’s life story may be characterised as a transition from rags to riches. He was the second child of Idris Backus, a “colporteur”. After trying his hands at several jobs on leaving school, he started selling table-cloths and bed sheets. He would leave on consignment his wares but would never get paid on time. He then started selling T-Shirts as a beach hawker, and that brought in a regular income. He then proceeded to make the T-Shirts himself and later screen-printed them.
Fortune was on his side. With dedication, professionalism and skill he turned his T-Shirt making and screen printing into a major success. The enterprise progressed slowly but surely and within a short span it made a name for itself. His customers were mostly tourists from Reunion as well as big local enterprises.
Success never got to his head. On the contrary, he stayed humble and taught lessons of humility to his two sons and heirs. He was semi-retired, keeping an eye on the factory – he would intervene only to give his advice and approval on major crucial policy decisions. With plenty of time at his disposal, he undertook to look after Vale Jamaat-ul-Muslemine Masjid and spent a colossal sum of money and time towards its refurbishment, identifying the most expensive carpet for Sajda and finding the right Imam with the best Qiraat.
Unfortunately, Allah had reserved some surprises for him. A year ago, his wife passed away. He was so distraught and wanted to know why he was left alone to enjoy the fruits of his success. When he discovered that he was terminally ill, he geared himself to accept his fate. In his will, he asked his sons to make sure that priority expenditure should go towards meeting the costs of running the Masjid and his second wish is build a masjid in a poor country, preferably, Madagascar.
Fazil, a fixture in our Masjid, has touched the hearts and the lives of hundreds of Mussallis who will miss his presence. His contributions too will be sorely missed, more than one can imagine. His departure has marked an unbounded sadness. I am sure that his children and grandchildren will keep alive the noble passion he has wanted to instill in them.
My deepest condolences go to his family. May Allah SWT grant him a place by His most noble servants.
Dawood Auleear
08 March 2022
