A tribute to Norli Azila Fatahul Ariffin

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I would like to say a few words about my friend Norli. She and I have been friends since university, which was over twenty years ago.  We met during our first year, when we registered ourselves at Block F of UUM Telekom Residential College.  Norli was elected as the Head of the block. As this was the first time we both lived away from home, Norli and I bonded instantly.

Norli was from Kajang, Selangor.  She was a cheerful person by nature, approachable, hard-working, intelligent, caring and very thoughtful person. She was very close to her friends and had a lot of people who cared about her.

After university Norli and I remained good friends.  So happens we ended up working for the same organizations.  She was placed at the Marketing Division, whilst I at the International Division (now Grp Regulatory Div).  One of Norli’s best traits was that she always lived her life to the fullest and loved to laugh and smile. When I was experiencing a crisis in my career a few years back, she was there for me.  Only Allah can repay your good deeds, dear friend.

Norli married an old university mate.  They were blessed with 4 children.

The last time I met Norli was in December 2011 at An-Nur Specialist Hospital in Bandar Baru Bangi.  And only a few months later I found out that she was diagnosed with nasal cancer.  She was admitted to Pantai Specialist Hospital on 03.09.2012 for lung infection that damaged her heart valve.

On 04.09.2012, Arifin, Kak Zaimah, Saniah and I went to visit Norli at the ICU of Pantai Specialist Hospital.  We could only watch her from outside the glass room.  There the sister informed us that she was initially admitted to the Beacon Hospital for fever due to the infection to her chemo port.

At Pantai Specialist Hospital, Norli was scheduled for an operation to remove her chemo port on 05.09.2012 and heart valve operation on 08.09.2012.  Both operations were later aborted because of her instability.  The reciting of Yassin and “Hajat” prayers were arranged.  Get well soon Norli…

However on 07.09.2012 at 09:41pm, I received a called from Kak Sokdah informing of her passing.

Rest In Peace Norli Azila Fatahul Ariffin…الفَاتِحَة