Dear Editor,
For many years now I have called him ‘Khana,’ a hybrid of his name ‘Khan’ and the Caribbean News Agency (Cana), with which he was associated.
That was more than 35 years ago. And that’s probably how long I have known Sharief Khan, not only as a colleague but as someone synonymous with the press.
Sharief was a dedicated, hard-working and versatile journalist who has left his indelible footprints at the mainstream media like Chronicle, GBC and Stabroek News, and whose talent in both voice and print, went beyond our borders through Cana, Reuters, BBC, and other news agencies for which he corresponded.
For many years, we covered the same beat, and we embraced a common cause. It would be true to say that throughout his life, Sharief had one passion, that was, for professional journalism. His concern was for a free press in a free country, and for journalists to be treated fairly. He was committed to seeking after truth when it was hard to get it, and when the price for dissent was dismissal.
As a journalist, he has served with distinction for which he became a National Awardee whilst I was serving as Minister of Information.
At a personal level, Sharief became one with my family in the lean years, when we shared home. For our children, he was simply ‘Uncle Sharief.’ His death is a loss of a friend, a brother and comrade.
Sharief had undivided love for his mother, and great bond with his brothers and sisters, with whom he had shared a modest life in a crowded apartment.
For us, tears for Sharief Khan, like the rains, would dampen this year’s Mash celebrations.
Yours faithfully,
Moses V Nagamootoo
