Mostafa
Kamal

von Shoma am 06.12.2022 - 15:39 Uhr | melden

Early this morning in Berlin, Mostafa Kamal, my beloved Boro mama (Helal mama, my maternal uncle), passed away after over two decades of struggling with his heart health. Always a part of our lives - in spirit, even when distant in miles - Helal mama set an example to us all of love, responsibility, caring for others, and most of all, unity in diversity.

My siblings and I learned German in our Ohio middle/high schools while our cousins learned English in Berlin. Thanks to Helal mama, we all grew close as pen pals first, and later as sponsors to our cousin Moni’s exchange student excursion to Ohio in the late 90s. In 2005, very shortly after Helal mama first had heart issues, I made the trip to Berlin to visit his loving and sweet family. The abundant spirit, kindness and open heartedness with which my friend Ro and I were welcomed and hosted at their home were truly unparalleled. Since then we have mainly seen Helal mama stateside for his annual visit and special gatherings.

Helal mama was a model citizen, always thinking of the right thing to do, always allowing others to express the best of themselves, and always following his heart to truth. Because of his sweet heart, his fortitude and example, way ahead of his time, there are multiple loving couples in our family now who feel blessed with interracial/intercultural relationships, including Kenny and me. Because of Helal mama’s quiet and humble leadership, his many siblings and their families had a father figure to look up to for guidance and wisdom over the past 42 years.

Most of all, family was everything to him. I can’t help but think of how many international calls he made over the years to check on my mom and his other siblings, or how excited he was to become a grandpa - sending pictures to anyone and everyone, or how much he enjoyed putting together his garden with my Tina Mami, or videotaping baby birds in a birds nest with my cousin. Not to mention he loved attending cultural events in his local community, or taking visitors on tours of Berlin - a hometown that he adopted decades ago and loved dearly.

Last year at our family reunion was the last time I saw Helal mama in person. I felt incredibly blessed that he reached out to me when my dear boro khala, his sister, recently passed in September, and he specifically asked me to write about her. I felt after reading his messages today when he has also left us, that writing a bit about him is the least I can do.

Please do send some love/prayers/good vibes for my sweet uncle.