I was planning to go in and start my visit by asking why he has not been responding to my messages, but I was given the shock of my life when his wife Lula Jama said,“…he’s gone….”On my tour of Edmonton businesses,
I always share recent business news, grants, internships, upcoming loans, and other opportunities for businesses. This time around, top on my agenda was the recent Black Business Loan Fund. At Zuhur Restaurant, as always, fill with bright smiles, his lovely wife, Lula offered me some delicious food and water. I was quick to ask,
“….where’s Hassan…?
To which she replied…,“…he’s gone…”
I jumped in…,
“…I mean your husband…”
she insisted…
,“…he’s dead…!”
…pulling down her mask to clean her tears…
It took her five solid minutes back and forth, to get it into me that my friend has exited this existence, showing me photos of him wrestling the dreaded COVID-19 on a hospital bed.
To say I felt miserable is an understatement as COVID-19 has shown its ugly face once again in a family of some of the nicest friend I have made in my business tours across the province.
Born in Kismayo, Somalia in 1962, and died on May 1, 2021, Hassan has offered a lot to the world.
I told Hassan’s wife, Lula, that I just can’t resist sharing the great loss of this community pillar. Lula, a one of a kind, Iroko-tough woman, a very resilient wife left with three sons, a daughter, many customers, and community supporters to take care of. Well, she’s handling the situation way better than anyone can imagine.
Hassan who always get me to practice my embarrassing French, to refresh memories of his time spent in Cameroon. He never stopped sharing his vision for his restaurant. A kind man with a good sense of humour – one I can hardly say enough about.
He came to Canada in 2005 from the USA to join his wife, Lula Jama.
They opened Zuhur Restaurant on January 1st, 2018. With their fantastic cooking skills, friendly disposition, and business accruement, they have grown the restaurant into one of Edmonton’s unique restaurants.
RIP Hassan!
Please keep the smiles flowing wherever the journey takes you!
