The beloved founding principal of METC (Guyana) passed away on July 27, 2024, and his janazah and burial took place on July 28, 2024.  The students from the earliest years of METC gathered on August 17, 2024, at Imdadul Islamic Center to celebrate his life and reflect on his immense positive influence on those he touched during his earthly sojourn.

Here is the text of the talk given by Hazrat Haniff of New York, who taught alongside Mr Yusuf at METC.  

Asalaam-o-Alaikum, May the peace and blessings of God Almighty be with all of you.

On this solemn occasion, I speak of Mr Mohamed Yusuf’s outstanding contribution to the birth, growth and establishment of Muslim Education Trust College of Guyana, also known as METC. I will spend some time speaking of his reputation as a teacher, school Administrator and religious leader, and in so doing, delve into the character of a man who selflessly served in various institutions. Mr Yusuf had previously taught at Indian Education Trust College with Mr Sawh as his senior colleague. 

I find it most appropriate to refer to Mr. Yusuf’s humble beginning. Coming from the community of La Grange, where his father was the Imam, his personality was shaped and moulded by the firm religious upbringing that he was exposed to during those formative years. From the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, Mr Yusuf grew in stature as one of the most knowledgeable members of the Islamic community in Guyana. For years, he was the Leader and Imam of the Kitty Mosque. In passing, I would like to mention that sometime in the mid-1960s, he led the great Indian singer Mohamed Rafi at his mosque in Friday Jummah Prayers. Rafi probably thought that here was a voice that had the potential of matching his.    During those early years, there were not too many Imams or Islamic scholars in Guyana who had a broad educational background, and who could speak intelligently and authoritatively on a wide range of topics. He was, therefore, sought out by many for lectures and advice in general. Against this backdrop, he was invited by the Trustees and Board of Governors – to be the Founding Principal of the Muslim Education Trust College.

 Mr. Yusuf opened METC in October 1961. The educational academic program focused mainly on a regular high school curriculum during the day, while Islamic education was conducted after 4:00 pm. About a month after the opening, I met him at Insanally’s Evening classes where he was a student of Spanish. After observing me tutoring students, he offered me the position of Math teacher, which I took up at the end of that first term. Being there from almost the beginning until he departed from Guyana, I understood not only Mr Yusuf’s role in piloting the day-to-day running and growth of the school but also his deep conviction that we must achieve mastery and excellence in all we do. By the end of the first year, there were 3 classes totalling less than 50 students. 

 The first group of students came mainly from the greater Georgetown area. In those early years, Mr. Yusuf, along with myself and others, held entrance exams in many outlying communities in the East and West Demerara areas. Eventually, a large group of our student body were from those communities. This trend subsequently continued under Mr. Sawh’s tenure as Principal. After approximately 8 years, we had 15 excessively large classes with almost 900 students.

As a teacher, Mr. Yusuf was very versatile in the classroom. He was able to teach almost any of the subjects at any level. Even though he was the principal, he took on an almost full load of teaching periods and was regularly scheduled in subject areas for which teachers were unavailable.  He was a very good example and a model to look at when it came to class control, the pacing of lessons, student interaction and blackboard presentation. He was very skilful in designing both the curriculum and instructional strategies. I’m sure that many of you – his ex-students here this evening – will reflect not only on the quality of his teaching but on the enormous contributions he made towards your general upliftment.

The programs – established during the initial years -paved the way for what the school eventually became. From Day 1, firm discipline was established. There was no place for any form of inappropriate behaviour. He firmly believed that a proper learning environment cannot exist without firm discipline. He used his thunderous voice to get the attention of everyone whenever he felt it necessary. His walk through the building after 3:00 pm – sometimes accompanied by me – would result in pairs of students scattering in various directions and finally heading to the exits. Such was the respect for his authority and seriousness.

At the administrative level, Mr Yusuf had us working as a team. Adherence to the policies of the school united us. He laid down rules for general conduct, which had to be observed by both Teachers and Students. By 1965, many in the first batch of graduating students did so well that, with some coaching, they were absorbed into the teaching staff. His example was his greatest asset. Even though he always displayed a sense of seriousness regarding work ethics, he always had a pleasant demeanour in his social interactions with the staff. After a while, he didn’t have to say much, as everyone knew his expectations. In the same way that students felt obligated to follow the school’s rules, we as teachers felt compelled to operate within the strict guidelines provided by his policies and his example.

After about 3 years, intending to accelerate the school’s growth, Mr. Yusuf had his senior colleague Mr. Sat Sawh assume the position of Principal while he stepped down to that of Deputy Principal. Mr. Sawh had acquired years of teaching experience at various institutions, including Indian Education Trust College in Thomas Lands. I worked within the inner circle of the administration alongside both gentlemen.  Both had a tremendous impact on my professional development as they had on others. Mr. Sawh brought in his leadership style, and under both gentlemen, the school continued to grow in quality and numbers rapidly. Mr. Sawh’s astounding achievements and reputation as Principal are widely known, and he is highly loved and respected by the entire METC community. I know much more will eventually be said about him at other events.

Mr Yusuf relinquished his position from Principal to Deputy Principal, which speaks volumes about him. His love for the institution was more significant than his interest in the principalship or any high office. In my years at METC, I observed many outstanding attributes that he possessed. He was a man of immaculate character. I can’t recall him promising anything on which he retracted. Every bone in his body was engulfed with truthfulness and honesty. He was very charitable. I know of him paying the school fees for two students from the orphanage during their entire five-year stay at the school. He was a man of tremendous empathy. While visiting his home in Garnett Street, I saw him taking care of his aged, blind and severely handicapped grandmother, who lay on a bed and was unable to move. He fed her spoon by spoon for the entire meal. That visual remains stuck in my memory. Such was his concern and commitment to the welfare of his family.

 His facial countenance was often filled with a glow of love and affection – usually revealed in his eyes. He had a very affable personality. His interest in advancing Students’ and Teachers’ welfare had no bounds. This was displayed in his interactions with all since his early days at METC. He was a man of impeccable integrity – one who has, in one way or another, touched the lives of those with whom he was in contact. He was an excellent model whose messages from the mosque matched his work at METC and his community. We are all highly indebted to him for his leadership and all the services that he rendered.

I would like to end by saying something of a personal nature. From the beginning, Mr. Yusuf had a great liking for me. He gave me a wide range of responsibilities which I always willingly accepted and which drew me closer to him. As an Imam and marriage officer, he performed the marriage ceremony for my wife and me. At the end of the ceremony, he told me that I would never be able to get out of this relationship as he had used a very strong glue. So far, the glue has worked for 55 years and still seems to be very strong. For years, we spoke regularly, and he frequently expressed his intense love for my entire family, especially my wife, Faz, my daughter Fereza and our grandchildren. Like many of you, we will all miss him. To our dear sister, Mrs. Yusuf, I’d like to say that we love you.

On behalf of my family and the METC fraternity, I extend our deepest condolences to Mrs Yusuf, her children and grandchildren, and all other family members. May your pain be eased as time goes by.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this noble soul has left us and is returning to our Creator. From Allah, we come, and to Him is our return. As we continue to ask in our prayers, we do not doubt that Mr. Yusuf’s final abode will be among the best in God’s creation.

Thank you.

---

Presented here is the tribute to Imam Yusuf (ra) by Haji Omar Farouk, an alumnus of METC and current President of The International Muslims Organization of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

AsSalaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh (May the peace and blessings of God be with you)

We are gathered here today to honour the memory of our late Principal and Imam, Mohamed Yusuf, a man whose influence has profoundly shaped our lives. As we sit together in this hall, we can feel the unity that binds us—a bond forged through the relationships we shared as students under his guidance and beneficiaries of his pioneering spirit to establish the foundations of our faith community in Ontario, Canada.

In my childhood, Guyana had scarce resources and opportunities, and education was often the only path to a better life. We were blessed to have Imam Yusuf as our High School Principal at the Muslim Trust College in Georgetown.

He provided us with more than just academic knowledge; he offered us a chance at upward mobility, a meaningful future grounded in authentic faith in Allah Almighty and emphasis on following the inspirational and aspirational teachings and examples of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Imam Yusuf was a beacon of care, kindness, thoughtfulness, and selflessness. His wisdom and sense of humour made learning an enjoyable experience, even when life’s challenges seemed overwhelming. His dedication went beyond the classroom; he was a mentor who communicated effectively, listened with empathy, and collaborated with students to bring out the best in each of us. His adaptability and patience were instrumental in creating an engaging learning environment where everyone felt valued.

One of his greatest strengths was his ability to connect with us personally, making the lessons we learned in his classroom resonate far beyond the school walls. He valued real-world learning, encouraged the exchange of ideas, and instilled in us a lifelong love of knowledge. His impact was so profound that many of us can still recall his words and teachings long after we’ve left the classroom.

Imam Yusuf made a world of difference in our lives. He understood that education was about academics and shaping individuals who could contribute meaningfully to society. He ensured that we had the time every Friday to attend Jumah and engage in extracurricular activities like competitive cricket—balancing our spiritual and physical well-being.

Through his leadership, many of us could break through the barriers of our circumstances. Some of his students went on to study at the University of the West Indies and become lawyers, while others pursued excellence in religious fields. His commitment to our success, both in this world and the next, is a testament to the rich, meaningful life he led.

After migrating to Ontario, Imam Yusuf continued to apply the same work ethic that had transformed our lives back home. He harnessed the energy of the Muslim community of Brampton to establish a purpose-built masjid, which became the heart of a thriving community. His contributions to education and community building have left an enduring legacy that will continue inspiring future generations.

Imam Mohamed Yusuf was not just a principal; he was a leader who showed us that through education and his commitment to faith and community, we could rise above our circumstances and achieve greatness. His life’s work was dedicated to uplifting others; we will always be grateful for that.

May Allah elevate his rank, void his mistakes, and grant him the company of the Prophet ص and his righteous companions (ra) in Jannah tul Firdaus

Ameen