Sierra Leoneans in New Jersey were hit hard last week by the death of Unisa Turay of Piscataway and Alpha A. Kamara of Somerset in the space of twenty four hours. Unisa Turay passed away on Tuesday, April 6, shortly after being hospitalized at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Alpha Kamara, who has been ill for almost a year, passed away in the same hospital on Wednesday April 7, 2010. While preparations were being made to fly the remains of Unisa Turay (top photo) home to Sierra Leone for burial, the late Alpha Kamara was laid to rest last Sunday, April 11 at the Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery on Route 130, New Jersey, after a well-attended funeral service at the Anderson Funeral Home in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Aside from the dazzling array of religious dignitaries that included Alhaji Ibrahim Conteh, Chief Imam of Dawatul Islamia of Somerset, New Jersey, the solemn event was also graced by a galaxy of eminent Sierra Leoneans, including His Excellency Bockarie K. Stevens, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinaire to the United States of America.
Sierra Leoneans from all across the United States came to New Brunswick, New Jersey for the funeral of the late Alpha Kamara. They came to pay their last respect to a brother, a friend – a fellow Sierra Leonean. Cars started pulling up the funeral home parking before 8:00 am. By 9:00 am, the funeral home parking lot and the adjacent parking lots were filled. Many of those who came after 9:00 am had to park three to four blocks away and walk to the funeral home. At exactly 9:30 am the Muslim service commenced with a brief welcoming by Mr. Sekou Dauda Bangura, who went on to introduce Sheik Isaga for the opening prayer. This was immediately followed by the reading of the Koran. Brother Abdul Dumbuya, brother in-law of the late Alpha Kamara, started by reading Suratul Yassin. Suratul Rahman and Suratul Mulk were read by Sheik Abass and Sheik Abdul Razak respectively.
In his brief but poignant address to those who gathered at the Anderson Funeral Home to pay their last respect to the late Alpha Kamara, Alhaji Abdulah Savage, Chief Imam of Jamatul Haq of Somerset, New Jersey, comforted the family, pointing out that “it’s the wish of Allah.” Laying emphasis on the inevitability of death, the erudite Islamic Scholar reflected on the great men of this world: Hitler, Churchill, Kennedy; the rich and famous men of the world who are now dead. His message, according to the chairman of the solemn occasion Dauda Bangura, resonates with the words of the poet Thomas Gray in the poem titled Elegy Written in a Country churchyard: “The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power; And all that beauty; all that wealth ever gave; Await alike the inevitable hour; The path of glory lead but to the grave.” Summarizing the message of the Chief Imam, Mr. Bangura said: “Death doesn’t discriminate – rich or poor; young or old; powerful or insignificant.”
Describing life as a trial and a test, the chief Imam said that “for us to pass this open test of Allah, we must have the fear of Allah.” He urged all those present to be steadfast in the path of righteousness. Alhaji Savage paid glowing tribute to the late Alpha Kamara, describing him as a strong pillar of Jamatul Haq; a man who did a whole lot for the jamaat; spending his time and money for the propagation of Islam.“May Allah have mercy on him for all his mistakes and grant him paradise, Imam Savage concluded.
Sheik Balla, a young and brilliant Islamic Scholar and one of the deputy imams of Jamatul Haq of Somerset, delivered the keynote address. Quoting numerous verses from the Quran Sheik Balla drove home the message that as human beings, we are all subject to decay; we will all succumb to the sovereignty of death. He made reference to the number of people that have gone to the world beyond in just one year within the community: Ashmed Barrie, Mohamed Jabbie and Bintu Nabie. “The passing away of these people and now Alpha Kamara should serve as a painful reminder of our own mortality.” As Muslims, he pointed out, we have to be prepared. “And the best preparation is “Our fear of Allah.” The Quoran, the young and vibrant Islamic scholar explained, “is the roadmap to our salvation.” He urged all present to make it a point of duty to pray, for it is only through prayers that God can forgive us for our mistakes and have mercy on us on judgment day. He encouraged the young men and women to join a jamaat or be a member of a church.
In his brief message of condolence to the family, His Excellency Bockari K. Stevens, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States of America, said, “I haven’t come to mourn but rather to celebrate the life of a fine gentleman.” Describing the late Alpha Kamara as “a selfless man; an asset not only to the Sierra Leonean community in the US, but the community back home, Ambassador Stevens recounted how he met the late Alpha Kamara in Freetown and the very positive impression that he left on his mind. “This is not just a loss to the family but a big loss to Sierra Leone,” Ambassador Stevens stated.
David Kamara, eldest son of the late Alpha Kamara, paid glowing tribute to his father, describing him as “a great man; a loving father and a caring family man.” Fighting back tears he said; “We’re going to miss you, daddy.” Mr. Sekou Dauda Bangura, on behalf of the family of the late Alpha Kamara expressed profound thanks and deep appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of support. “May Allah richly bless you,” he concluded.
After the final prayer for the dead (Janaza), conducted by Alhaji Hassan Savage, deputy imam of Dawatul Islamia of Somerset, New Jersey, the late Alpha Kamara was laid to rest at the Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery, on 130 South. A reception was held immediately after the burial at the Ramada on Route One South, North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Alpha A. Kamara: April 5 1953 – April 7 2010
Alpha A. Kamara was born on April 5 1953 at Mamamah, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District, in the northern region of Sierra Leone. He had his early education at Russell Elementary School, Tombo, and attended the Saint Helena Secondary School, Freetown, before proceeding on to the Saint Edwards Secondary School, Freetown, where he completed his high school education.
Upon his graduation, he joined the staff at the Ministry of Social Welfare in Freetown as a store keeper. Because of his dedication to duty and excellent performance, he was elevated to the enviable position of director. He served in that capacity for almost ten years before leaving the shores of Sierra Leone in 1984 for the United States of America. While in the US, he studied Criminal Justice at Middlesex County College, Edison, New Jersey. A Somerset resident, he worked for Hilton Hotel in New Brunswick, NJ, and Delta at Raritan, NJ. He also worked for Cerebral Palsy Association in Somerset, NJ, for nine years. Conscientious and hardworking, he served ADVOSEZ in Somerville, New Jersey, for almost seventeen years.
Alpha A. Kamara passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 8:15 am, at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his father Pa Santigie Kamara, Mother, Ya Adama Kamara, his wife, Mrs. Marie Kamara (nee Dumbuya); Children: David, Santos, Marie, Adama, Alpha Mela and Fatima — all in the US; Uncles: Bai Kompa Bomboli II of Koya Chiefdom, Pa Alimamy Kamara, Pa Komrabai Kargbo and Sheka Mansaray; Brothers: Amara, Momoh, Alex and Saidu; Sisters: Kaday, Yeabu, Amie, and Zainab; Cousins: Abdul Bubu Kamara, Saidu M.Conteh, Abdul Karim Conteh and Mohamed Gbessay Bangura. A loving and caring family man, he leaves behind to mourn a large extended family that includes the Kamara, Dumbuya, Bangura, Sesay, Kanu and Kaloko families of Koya, Freetown and the United States of America.
Unisa Turay: December 3 1972 – April 6 2010
Unisa Turay was born on December 3 1972 at Makoseri, Marampa Masimra Chiefdom, Port Loko District in the northern region of Sierra Leone. He was educated at the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood Elementary School, Lunsar, and the Muslim Congress Secondary School, Freetown.
He proceeded to Liberia immediately after his high school education. After a short stay in Liberia, he went on to Nigeria where he enrolled in a Trade School to learn tailoring, Having earned a certificate as an expert tailor, he moved on to Niger, and then Libya. He finally settled in Abidjan where he started a family and worked as a tailor for over twelve years.
Fired by a burning desire to improve his socioeconomic wellbeing, he left Abidjan for the United States of America in 2004. With the help of the late Alpha Kamara, Unisa was able to secure his first job at ADVOTEZ. He later joined the staff at Green Brook Health Care Center, Green Brook, New Jersey, where he worked up to the time of his untimely passing away. A devout Muslim and active member of Jamatul Haq of Somerset, New Jersey, Unisa Turay died on Tuesday April 6, 2010 shortly after being hospitalized at Robert Wood University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
He is survived by his wife, Kadiatu Turay; children: Isatu Turay in Freetown, Santigie and Isata Turay in the US; Mother, Fatu Jalloh; brothers: Alie, Alusine, Abu, Dauda, Aruna and Salu; Sisters: Mabinty, Adama, Hawa, Wulaimatu and Haja Gbessay; Friends: Alie, Sanfa, Unisa, Eric, Thaimu, Mohamed, Alhaji, Idrissa and Joana. He leaves behind to mourn a large extended family that includes the Turay, Kabia, Conteh, Kamara, Toronka, Jalloh, and Nombre families of Lunsar, Masanka, Freetown, Abidjan, and the United States of America. He also leaves to mourn many friends in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Niger, Libya and Abidjan.
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