A First Class Friend, by Wynn Parry-Williams I am here today not to discuss Shafiq's career and considerable political standing but to talk of him as seen through the eyes of a friend who has known him for over 30 years. I apologise for having to read much of this, old age has led to a failing memory. The product of Mogul genes from Northern India, Shafiq was an immensely proud person, there is little doubt that on occasions this was accompanied by a touch of arrogance, but combined with his good looks and a physique that tailors could only dream about, he strode through life with a panache that we all envied and few, if any, could emulate. Some 25 years ago, Shafiq and I were in Nairobi, relaxing in the gardens of Fitz de Souza, a barrister friend, suddenly one of the pet peacocks in the garden strutted up to Shafiq and pecked him on the leg. I remember being most amused at the time, after all it was not my leg, and told him "Shafiq, you can see that they don't like any competition" Yes, there was much of the peacock in Shafiq in those early days, this was all part of the character, personality and charm that made him such fun to be with. Shafiq was fond of relating how the east African students in this country were unable to return home in the vacations because at this time air travel was in it's infancy and the sea journey took so long. At these periods the students tended to congregate in London around East Africa House, here Shafiq was to forge many life long friendships, notably; 1 Ali Parkar - A generous man who read law just as a mental exercise. I always felt he would have made an excellent politician. In recent years he met and entertained Shafiq and his friends on an annual basis. 2 Mahendra Patel - MD to his friends, he had no medical aspirations but was an electrical engineer. Much in demand with his friends during his student days as his parents provided him with an MG sports car. 3 Gurdial Singh - As you have already heard he was Shafiq's oldest and dearest friend. It seems he spurned the ready made turban and on many occasions Shafiq stood alone in a room holding one end of the turban fabric at head height, waiting for Gurdial to appear rotating towards him and when they met the turban was completed, no mean feat and regrettably, one I was never able to witness. Other friendships later on in life were to include Magan Raichura - an architect and construction engineer from Dar-es-Salaam. A great friend of mine as well as Shafiq and the family‘s, when in this country he spent much of the time staying with them. Myself, his doctor and golfing partner. Shafiq was more famed as a cricketer in his youth, but could hit a golf ball immense distances. He once turned to MD after hitting a particular lengthy shot and said "Patel don't just stand there, clap when you see a 6 iron hit like that". Fortunately, for us lesser mortals, his direction was extremely variable, one could almost guarantee that he would be out of bounds on 2 or 3 occasions during a round. We were thus able to hold our own and prevent Shafiq's ego from becoming insufferable! I well remember Shafiq's last appearance on the cricket field playing for the London Diplomats. He had ordered a complete new kit for the occasion as this was to be his cricketing swan song, where he would relive the batting prowess of his youth. Alas, early on in the game, a fast low ball caught him on the end of his index finger, splintering the bone and poor Shafiq spent the rest of the afternoon at Wexham Park Hosptial, no doubt resplendent in his new but now blood stained cricketing flannels, a most disappointing end to his distinguished cricketing career. Undoubtedly, Shafiq's most recent close friend was Ram, both in London and in Spain. Ram did much to cheer up Shafiq, particularly when his heart attack had led to restrictions in his lifestyle. They both got on very well together, it does seem a shame they had not met earlier in life. Throughout his political and private life Shafiq has been ably supported by his wife Leana. She entertained his colleagues and friends, frequently and often in large numbers. I have always considered myself lucky to have been at the receiving end of her gastronomic delights on many, many occasions. As a father, Shafiq was generous and considerate to his 3 children: Mona, the eldest and mother to little Casim, Selma, who frequently went by the name Baby, and Shafiq's only son, Sasha, who is now a solicitor. If his law is half as good as his golf he should have no worries. I am sure Shafiq will be greatly missed by his family, there will be many adjustments to make. Finally, Shafiq never called me by my christian name, it was always Parry- Williams, I think double barrelled names must have tickled his fancy in some way. I was so pleased he spoke to me from Spain the day before he died. In the past few years, Shafiq would now and again turn to me and say, "Parry-Williams, you realise we are now both in the departure lounge, let us hope that when the end comes it will be quick." I am glad to say that, having spoken to Leana regarding the matter, the end was quick. What better way to go than after Sunday lunch with your family followed by an afternoon on the beach with your only grandchild, to pass quietly away that evening. And so Shafiq, I can truly say you had a first-class life with a first-class death. To me you have always been totally first-class and never more so than as a friend. Thank you Shafiq for the friendship; for the sparkle, colour and enjoyment that it has added to my life. Thank you also for the many countries and places you showed me, without you I would not have experienced many of them. Most of all, thank you for the good friends I have met through you, we all thought of you as a once in a lifetime individual. We will all miss you very much… Wynn Parry-Williams 28/04/05