Service marks the life of Amjid Ismail

Dec 13 2006 Ayrshire Post

A SERVICE to celebrate the life of Amjid Ismail filled Maybole Baptist Church and its adjoining hall on Saturday morning.

And it was a fitting tribute to Amjid that the church could not hold all who arrived — around 400.

Rev Dave Whiteman welcomed everyone to the Memories of Amjid service, and praised the support Maybole was giving the Ismail family.

He told the family they were held in the highest esteem and the people of Maybole felt they had lost one of their own family.

He added: “I’m proud of how well we have all pulled together, and I’m proud to be part of this town.”

The service started with Morning has Broken, a prayer by Mr Whiteman and readings by Fr Stephen McGrattan.

Alex Kelly, vice chairman of Maybole Community Council, then read some extracts from the many cards the family had received.

And he said they had taken great comfort from the many cards, letters and flowers.

Mr Whiteman, Archie Cuthbertson, Paul James, Jean Jackson, and Sandra Mackie then recalled their memories of Amjid, his subtle sense of humour and support to the town.

Mr Whiteman said Amjid was one of life’s innocents, an uncomplicated man but a man of deep wisdom.

Mr Cuthbertson said the town had lost an adopted son and was a poorer place because of an act of violence.

He traced his own family’s connection with the Ismail family over many years since Amjid was a ‘quiet, kind, gentle little boy’ and he and his family were proud and honoured to be thought of as friends.

Mr James recounted a few anecdotes since he had come to know Amjid only recently.

Mrs Jackson spoke of how you could have a chat and a joke with Amjid and he liked to have fun with customers — for instance her husband always paid for their purchases but Amjid always gave her the change.

Sandra Mackie traced her memories of the family back to when Mr Ismail sold items door to door and lived in Manse Street.

She recalled the nicknames Amjid had for pupils at the nearby schools, after Mr Ismail took over the shop in Kirkland Street.

She remembered him as ‘quiet, shy, kind, helpful, with never a bad word for anyone’.

Councillor Alan Murray read some tributes and verses from the book of condolences which had been opened to allow local people to record their sympathy — with perhaps the most poignant being the one word ‘Sorry’.

Amjid’s brother Amir replied for the family and spoke of his brother’s wit and wisdom, and how he felt ‘at home’ in the town.

Amir described him as ‘kind, caring, considerate, honest and thoughtful with a good sense of humour’. He spoke about how Amjid preferred the small town community to the large city of Glasgow and how much he liked the people of Maybole.

Amir added that his dad would like to reiterate: “One person cannot destroy what has been over 28 enjoyable years in this town.

“One person cannot and should not be able to destroy the care, respect, dignity, kindness, and genuine affection that the people of this town have shown to each other on a daily basis for as long as all of us can remember.”

Amir thanked all the medical staff and police who had shown such professionalism and assistance at the time of Amjid’s death and since, as well as everyone involved in making the service possible especially Rev Whiteman, and colleagues.

The largest thanks, however, were for the people of Maybole and beyond.

Amir concluded: “Quite simply, we have been overwhelmed by the cards, letters, flowers, texts and all the positive support shown to us; we have taken great comfort from all of these.”

The service concluded with a request from the family for everyone to continue the celebration in the Town Hall, where all were greeted and thanked by the family members. A collection was taken for Hansel Village

Afterwards, Sandra Osborne MP said: “It was a privilege to witness the tremendous dignity of Amjid's family and the outpouring of support from the Maybole community. I hope this will provide some comfort in the difficult times ahead.”

Councillor Murray added: “I was moved by the genuine tributes that were paid to Amjid’s contribution to the life of our community.

“I was especially touched by the speech made by his brother Amir who contributed humorous recollections of Amjid, thanked the community for the support shown to the family, and commented that the act of one person should not sour the relationships of the whole community.”

Cathy Jamieson MSP said: “Saturday's memorial service was an extremely moving event. Amjid's family were very dignified in the face of such awful circumstances.

“The response from the people of Maybole showed just how much respect the family has right across the community.

Ms Jamieson continued: “Everyone seemed to have an affectionate story about Amjid and there is no doubt he will be missed.

“The way the people of the town responded is a lesson to communities right across Scotland and the most powerful memory of Saturday’s event was the family's call to remember Amjid and for the local community to continue to stick together through this difficult time.”

Councillor Brian Connolly said: “This emotional day for the family and friends of Amjiid allowed the town to, collectively, express our sympathy and support for the Ismail family.

“If there is any good to come from such horror, the Maybole community has grown stronger through this experience.”

Amjid, 34, died in hospital after he was found slumped over a till with blood pouring from a neck wound at the family shop in Maybole’s Kirkland Street last month. His funeral was later held in a Glasgow mosque.

A 46-year-old man has been charged with Amjid’s murder.