By: Mohammed Yahya Damudi

If anyone wishes to see a living example of honesty, loyalty, sincerity, and dedication, they need only look at the life of Mohammed Jaffar, son of Mohammed Ismail Jambar, who recently retired after serving the Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem Bhatkal for more than five decades.

At just 22 years of age, a simple-hearted young man stepped into the Tanzeem office as a humble worker. His journey began as an attender with a monthly salary of only Rs. 125. But for him, this was never just a job. It was a sacred trust, and for half a century he fulfilled it with absolute honesty and commitment. With time, his responsibilities grew, but never once did he complain or show displeasure. His salary may have risen from Rs. 125 to Rs. 19,000 over the years, but his true earnings were the respect, love, and prayers of the community he served.

One incident still shines brightly in the history of Tanzeem. A philanthropist once came to the office to make a large donation. At that time, only Jaffar was present. The donor called the then-secretary and asked if he could entrust the money to Jaffar. The secretary’s reply has become immortal: “You may have doubts about the secretary, but never about Jaffar.” These words stand as the greatest recognition of his lifelong honesty and trustworthiness.

Jaffar witnessed every rise and fall of Tanzeem. Leaders changed, committees came and went, decisions were made and debated – but he kept every secret buried deep within his heart. His service extended beyond office hours: riding a bicycle up Bhaktal’s steep slopes to distribute agendas, arranging files and meetings, ensuring everything ran smoothly. His quiet efforts became the very foundation that kept the institution strong through all seasons.

In his personal life too, he lived with simplicity. He built a small mud house on the hillside of Bhatkal, later covering it with tiles, then adding a concrete slab, and eventually, through a generous contribution during Tanzeem’s centenary celebrations, the humble dwelling was turned into a modest yet permanent home. But simplicity and contentment always remained his true identity.

Now, after 51 years of continuous service, his health has weakened. Walking has become difficult, and illness troubles him, but his heart still beats for Tanzeem. His only wish is to continue visiting the office daily and spend time in the institution he loves so dearly.

The lifelong service of Mohammed Jaffar is a priceless asset for the community of Bhatkal. He is a shining lamp who not only illuminated his own era but also set a lasting example of service, honesty, and loyalty for future generations.

We owe him deep gratitude for devoting the golden years of his life to the service of the community. May Allah grant him complete health and strength. Ameen.

Note: How wonderful it would be if our youth federation were to organize a grand felicitation program in his honour.

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Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.

The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.

On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."

His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.

In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”

Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”

Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.

After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.

“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.

“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”

Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.

Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay. 

Chaotic end to a poor season

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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.

It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.

Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.

Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.