• His passing away is a significant loss to all of us in the Careems family and, indeed, to the entire country
• There was always something to learn from him during our conversations, and he treated all his staff like his own family

With deep sadness, I pen this tribute to my beloved boss, Ferrin Careem, who passed away on December 8 at the age of 83. He was a remarkable personality with whom I associated for many decades. His passing away is a significant loss to all of us in the Careems family and, indeed, to the entire country. He was unmatched and possessed a pleasing personality and profound knowledge along with a focused, methodical, and visionary approach.

When I first met him in Negombo, I was amased by his kind words despite having heard about him previously. I immediately felt being welcomed with open arms. Since then, his timely advice and guidance were instrumental in shaping my journey, leading to the position I hold at present: Masha Allah! At times, he was not just a boss, but also a father, brother, and friend.
There was always something to learn from him during our conversations, and he treated all his staff like his own family. Watching him attend to customers was truly a learning experience. He could discuss any subject, and his knowledge of world affairs would turn a customer into a friend. When expressing his thoughts on a matter, he would do so firmly yet was considerate and never hurt anyone’s feelings.
While there are many things to mention, I’ll stop here. I feel proud and blessed to have joined Careems, one of the pioneers in the tourism business, contributing significantly to the country’s economy under his leadership. May the Almighty Allah grant him Jannathul Firdous, and my prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.

Hassen Cassim – General Manager, Careems Jewellers