Dubai: Teachers and students have paid rich tribute to a former Dubai school teacher who recently passed away.
Roohi Ali Khan died in Pakistan (Karachi) at the age of 75 last week, as per his former colleagues at Dubai Gem Private School (DGPS). Two sons survive her.
Roohi is recognised as “one of the finest English teachers” they have had by some members of the school alumni, who she taught.
In her younger days, a poet, writer, dancer, and radio broadcaster, Roohi arrived in the UAE in 1981.
According to the Principal of DGPS, Roohi was not just a colleague and good friend, “She was a motivation, her knowledge, charm, grace, kindness & generosity made her one in a million. I learned a lot from her. May Allah give her the highest place in Jannat (Paradise).
According to Dr Poonam Mahindra, vice-principal that we remember Roohi as an outstanding member of the DGPS family who always had a good smile on her face. She was caring and a very humble lady who was always ready to help her coworkers and maintained the highest standards. She was a dear colleague, scholar and friend. Many will miss but never forget her by those who were lucky enough to have known her.”
Sheela Mistry, a management manager who has been with the school for the past 28 years, stated that she had worked with Roohi throughout her 16 year term at DGPS. “She also writes in newspapers. She had a job to look after the school’s editorial work and would help us out with the yearbook too.”
Students’ homage
Former students, who Roohi taught, paid rich condolences to her on their alumni pages on social media.
Nikita Egbert stated she was “one of the finest English teachers I have ever been taught by”.
“I remember listening to stories of life-based from before she started teaching. She was a powerful, confident & accomplished lady. Moreover, she touched our hearts as young students with her endless knowledge and candour. I think many can agree that her voice still reverberates in our heads regarding good grammar, discipline and ambition. The hallways of DGPS will always carry her gentle spirit,” said Egbert.
Furthermore, he said: “She was kind. She has a passion and love for the written word transferred to the kids she was teaching. She was one of the best English teachers we had. I still remember how expressive she was when she read to us during English literature classes. I used to look forward to her class.”
Touching lives
According to his son, Roohi’s Dubai-based son, Arafaat Ali Khan, his mother was known for caring for students.
“Mum was a wonderful human, touching the lives of everyone she met and leaving them for the better. She did everything in her power, selflessly putting her sons first, and empathy and love were shown to her students.
She genuinely cared for her students, many of whom kept in touch with her even after graduation. She was a beacon of happiness everywhere she went and always left her colleagues with fond memories and warmth,” said Arafaat, the co-founder of Middle East Film and Comic-Con.