The individual who saves one life actually saves the world. It is this mantra that underlies the Garden of the Righteous Worldwide (GARIWO), set up by a non-profit Milan-based organisation with cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy. The garden hosts trees and memorial stones dedicated to five righteous Arab and non-Arab Muslim individuals, including Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain of Bangladesh. Faraaz was killed in the recent militant attack in Gulshan, Dhaka.
GARIWO chairman Gabriele Nissim, Italian Ambassador in Tunis Raimondo De Cardona and President of the Tunisian League of Human Rights and a 2015 Nobel Laureate Abdessatar Ben Moussa inaugurated the Garden of the Righteous on July 15.
Alongside Faraaz, the other four who have been honoured are, renowned Syrian archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad, Tunisian tourist guide Mohammed Nasseur ben Adesslem Hamadi, Tunisian street vendor Tarek el-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi and Tunisian entrepreneur Khaled Abdul Wahab.
Khaled al-Asaad was slaughtered by IS in 2015 for defending the Syrian archaeological heritage of Palmyra.
Hamadi rescued Italian tourists during the terror attack against the Bardo Museum on 18 March 2015.
Bouazizi immolated himself in 2010 to defend human dignity, giving birth of the Jasmine Revolution and the Arab ‘Spring’.
The Italian ambassador requested Faraaz’s mother for a letter on the occasion.
On behalf of the Mayor of Milan and people of the town, President of the City Council Lamberto Bertolè paid tribute to the memory of Faraaz Hossain.
The sacrifice of Faraaz, “an example for the entire world”, was remembered by Bertolè through the moving words sent by Simeen Hossain, the mother of the young Bangladeshi student.
In a letter, she wrote, "On July 1st, our son Faraaz was most brutally taken away from us by a few inhuman terrorists. His decision to stay and protect his friends he held so dear to him transcends all boundaries of race, religion or gender. He acted purely on his unshakable values.
"He had always felt responsible for those around him taking it as his duty to protect those he loved. These are the values Faraaz had instilled in himself, believing first and foremost that one must be, above all, a good human being.
"He always cared about others, making sure his actions would make those around him happy.
"Our son, Faraaz, has set an example for the world with his bravery to stand strong in the face of evil. Our innate admiration for this little boy comes out of the fact that he made us question ourselves, he made us think whether we would have the courage to make the decision he did while being aware of its consequences. We salute you for setting an example for the world to follow. Faraaz, you have always wanted to make me a proud mother; today you have made me the proudest mother in the whole world."
Faraaz was the grandson of Latifur Rahman, chairman of Transcom Group, and Shahnaz Rahman. He was the son of Simeen Hossain and Muhammad Waquer Bin Hossain. He was a student at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and dazzled those he worked with during his internships at Transcom and Pepsico.
Full text of the letter from Simeen Hossain
On July 1st, our son Faraaz, was most brutally taken away from us by a few inhuman terrorists. His decision, to stay and protect his friends he held so dear to him transcends all boundaries of race, religion or gender. He acted purely on his unshakable values. He had always felt responsible for those around him taking it as his duty to protect those he loved. These are the values Faraaz had instilled in himself, believing first and foremost that one must be, above all, a good human being.
Filled with spirit, living every moment with a glowing smile, and exemplifying the best of youth, Faraaz was a gem of a human being. He always cared about others, making sure his actions would make those around him happy. He was a superstar student at Emory University's Goizueta Business School and dazzled those he worked with in his internships at Transcom and Pepsico. He touched the hearts of every person he interacted with and proved to be a born leader in anything he took up. Above all he remained a righteous human being till his last breath. Having an extremely clear sense of right and wrong, he stood by what he believed was right with every ounce of strength.
Our son, Faraaz, has set an example for the world with his bravery to stand strong in the face of evil. Our innate admiration for this little boy comes out of the fact that he made us question ourselves, he made us think whether we would have the courage to make the decision he did while being aware of its consequences.
WE salute you for setting an example for the world to follow. Faraaz, you have always wanted to make me a proud mother; today you have made me the proudest mother in the whole world.
You have filled our hearts with immense pride and strength; you have instilled in us a fearlessness that we never knew existed. You have given us a reason to spend the rest of our lives fighting for what you stood for. You always said you'd show the world. I just want you to know you have done so beyond our wildest imagination.
We ALL love you IMMENSELY Faraaz.
Your proud mother, whom you have deeply humbled by your act of bravery.
Simeen Hossain (MD and CEO, Eskayef)