Tuan Kitchil Muhajarine Principled patriarch and man of virtue

Al-haj Tuan Kitchil Muhajarine – family patriarch, public health inspector, respected mosque trustee – passed away in the presence of his beloved family on October 28 at 3:45 p.m. 
Born to humble circumstances in Nuwara Eliya as the eldest of Abu Cassim Junus and Nona Kitchil’s seven children, our father lived his values, always supremely dedicated to his family and in service of his fellow humans. “Lok” as he was respectfully and affectionately addressed by some, earned the trust and respect of all who came in contact with him, whether in professional or personal settings. His presence was much appreciated by his family and everyone else because of the positive influence he always brought forth. Our father served multiple communities throughout the island in his role as a dedicated public health inspector, culminating in a most productive career with the Municipality of Colombo. His leadership qualities, conviction of his beliefs and straightforward manner in which he expressed them earned the trust and admiration of his colleagues, superiors and subordinates alike. He was a sought-after advisor and mentor for those who joined the ranks of public health service as rookies. ‘T.K.’ believed passionately that serving his fellow humans to the best of his capacity was a calling in life and he answered this call to the best of his abilities. 

This sense of calling was also evident in the manner he approached building his own family of four children, along with his life partner of 57 years, Gneigh Kumala (née Hassim). He opened his heart and home to numerous relatives, helping them with their own life journeys and family formation. This garnered him affectionate monikers, “Raj-ka” or “lokka” or “boss” by his siblings, his in-laws and other relatives. His generosity of heart, sound advice and counsel, trustworthiness and dependability were the guiding light received by many who were touched by his life. 
Tuan Kitchil was always humble and was not given to grandiosity or self-aggrandizement — deflecting and shifting the focus from himself to others until his 
final days. 

He knew that what ultimately counted the most were family relations. This man of humble beginnings, who left this world as a well-respected elder and a pioneer in terms of changing the life circumstances of families for the better, will be missed dearly by his wife, children and their spouses, grandchildren, sister, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces and numerous family members, as well as members of the Malay and Muslim communities and neighbours who knew him well. They grieve his passing, while being grateful for the extraordinary and exemplary life he lived, and for the memories he left behind. 

His four children: Nazeem Muhajarine, Mumtaz Muhajarine Dole, Dilshan Muhajarine and Azeema Muhajarine Sariffo’deen