I have traveled to various parts of the world during my business travels that span 30+ years, and during those times I met such wonderful people and most interestingly was the various cultures that were not better, but different than our own society, and I really loved it. I have fond memories of travels and I am looking forward to traveling much again, except on behalf of my Foundation that I established to help children with their education.

This is what little I have to say about myself and it is somewhat difficult to explain one’s-self to anyone, especially when you do not really know that person. However, I "know" that there is a God and He watches over me and He is my "protector," in the same manner that He does for you and every one else.

I went to America shortly after my 18th birthday to assist my elder brother who was 26 and very ill at the time. This was 1970. He was married and had two children, a boy 10 months old and a girl going on 3 years. Well, he only lived for 9 months after I got there because his illness was incurable. During those 9 months he had always said to me that when he died he wanted me to take care of his family. I was only 18 and knew nothing about life, had no money, no education and in my innocence I told him that I would. So, five years after he died, in keeping my promise to my deceased brother, the interest of his children, his wife, my parents, I married my deceased brother’s wife in 1975. So I started with two children my brother's children who became my children and I had two more children with my wife. Along the way two other brothers died and they left 9 children. By God's mercies he saw to it that I got an education and after 10 years of real hardship, I was blessed in such a manner that I was able to take care of all of them, including my parents. I separated from my wife some years back and was legally divorced in 2005. All four of my children are adults now, three of them are married. My two children from my brother who died, the girl has two children and the boy has one. My youngest daughter got married a little over two years ago and she hasn't as yet decided whether or not she wants kids. My youngest son, he has a really wonderful girl-friend and I am not sure, but I believe he will get married soon.

 I have had many difficulties in my life, but I have had many blessings in my life. Through every valley of every shadow of death, My Lord guided me, and in the midst of my enemies he prepared tables for me. I think what I am trying to say to you is that "without God, I would not be typing this message.

In my life’s summary (above) you saw that I have two biological children. From the time they were born to this very day, after God, they are more precious to me than anything this world can offer me. However, they are adults now and have their own lives. They are happy and I am happy for them. I got married under strange circumstances as you would have read in my life’s summary, but I have always been a true “romantic at heart!” I believe that two people who are truly in-love, together, with God on their side, life can be so much more gratifying!

 I have tried my level best to do all that I can that is good in this life and to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. I will not now or ever tell anyone that “I am good, or bad, honest or dishonest, loyal or disloyal and the likes.” Those things can only be judged by others and most of all by our Creator Almighty God. But I have a burning desire within me that “what ever good I am going to do, I must do it now, for I shall never pass this way again. Thus in always trying to do my level best to be selfless and not selfish, I have had to endure much, but in the service of my Lord, it is a small price!”

 By birth I am British, born in a British Colony at the time. My heritage by my father is Middle-Eastern decent (Arab) and from my mother’s side I am of East Indian decent! I went to the United States when I was 18.  I separated from my wife in 1999 and was divorced in 2005. I have no regrets about anything. If I had the chance to do it all over again, would the choices be the same? Perhaps the answer may be yes, but that is in the past and I cannot change that. Thus I must press forward holding on to good memories but never losing sight of all of the possibilities that lie ahead.

 May the Lord guide you in the decisions you make about your own life and in selfless service to others.

 With a heart full of love,

“MY MOMENT IN TIME”

 For many years, perhaps decades, I have heard on numerous occasions two songs – “Yesterday, when I was young” and “To dream the impossible dream.” [The lyrics are attached to this document] It was only recently the words of the first song penetrated and I knew instantly, that is where my life is at this pivotal moment in time. The words pressed down on me and drew me neigh to the ground, but I was revived from the words of the second song. A time of realization is available to everyone, if we would only take the time to look upwards! Especially heart-piercing to me were the words;

 “The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned

I always built, alas, on weak and shifting sand

I lived by night, and shunned the naked light of day

And only now, I see, how the years ran away.”

 

“I ran so fast that time, and youth at last ran out

I never stopped to think, what life was all about.”

 The friends I made, all seemed somehow to drift away

And only I am left, on stage to end the play.”

 There is no greater way to comfort one’s soul as to come face to face with reality, but it is vitally necessary not to lose hope! Thus I say to myself I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction, and carefully endeavor to be profited thereby. But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward towards eternal things. O that I may, in this sense, feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine presence and indwelling bears the soul towards heaven upon the wings of Eagles.

 At such time we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us; the servant body waits at the foot of the hill, and the master–spirit worships upon the summit in the presence of the Lord. O that a hallowed season of divine communion may be vouchsafed to me this day! The Lord knows that I need it very greatly. My graces languish, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak, my devotion is cold; and these are reasons why His healing hand should be laid upon me.

 His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow, and stay the tumult of my palpitating heart.  That glorious right hand which molded the world can new-create my mind; the unwearied hand which bears the earth’s huge pillars up can sustain my spirit; the loving hand which encloses all the saints can cherish me; and the mighty hand which breaketh in pieces  the enemy can subdue my sins. It may be that you are still in the days of young and not “Yesterday when I was young,” but whatever state you are in, beyond any doubt of uncertainty – “The Lord can deliver you and sustain you and all that is required is full faith and trust in Him who has no Origin!” Wishing you God’s blessings, - Sheriff Ali

 YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS YOUNG

 Yesterday when I was young

The taste of life was sweet, as rain upon my tongue,

I teased at life, as if it were a foolish game

The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame

 The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned

I always built, alas, on weak and shifting sand

I lived by night, and shunned the naked light of day

And only now, I see, how the years ran away

 Yesterday, when I was young

So many happy songs were waiting to be sung

So many wild pleasures lay in store for me

And so much pain, my dazzled eyes refused to see

 I ran so fast that time, and youth at last ran out

I never stop to think, what life, was all about

And every conversation, I can now recall

Concerned itself with me, and nothing else at all

 Yesterday, the moon was blue

And every crazy day, brought something new to do

I used my magic age, as if it were a wand

And never saw the worse, and the emptiness beyond

 The game of love I played, with arrogance and pride

And every flame I lit, too quickly, quickly died

The friends I made, all seemed somehow to drift away

And only I am left, on stage to end the play

 There are so many songs in me, that won’t be sung

I feel the bitter taste,  of tears upon my tongue

The time has come for me to pay

For yesterday, when I was young!

English lyrics by; Herbert Kretzmer

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

 To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

 To write the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

 This is my quest

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless

No matter how far

To fight for the right

Without question or pause

To be willing to march into hell

For a heavenly cause

And I know if I’ll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I am laid to my rest

 And the world will be better for this

That one man scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable star!

 TO MY FRIENDS, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE

  Irrespective of all that I have been through I want to sincerely acknowledge a few people that I can sincerely say with all my heart, thank you for being there for me. Your friendship, your love, your prayers, I appreciate more than anyone would ever know. These few people would know who they are when they read this message, For after God a friend’s affection is the greatest treasure here below. The firmest friend-ship has been formed in mutual adversity, as iron is most strongly united by the fiercest flame.

  The older I grow in years, the more the wonder and the joy increase when I see the power of these words of Jesus – “I have called you friends” – to move the human heart. The one word “friend” breaks down each barrier of reserve, and we have boldness in His presence. My heart goes out in love to meet His love to you and to every human heart.

Mahatma Gandhi said: “There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all, i.e. the voice of conscience even though such obedience may cost you many a bitter tear, and even more, separation from friends, from family, from the State to which you may belong, from all that you have held as dear as life itself. This obedience is the law of our being.”

It is my answering the calling that Mr. Gandhi spoke of that tore me from everything I held near and dear, to finding myself alone at times, but then, God through the mystery of His mercies, He placed these special people that I call “my friends,” who sheltered me when there was no place to rest my head, who, some at their own risk, sought my security over their's, who provided for me when my barn was empty, my health had failed, who spent hours speaking with me on the phone, when night after night, dinner was just for one and at such times, loneliness begun. The Hand of Providence guided them unto my path, for my God never breaks His word – “I will never leave you nor forsake you, do not be afraid or be dismayed, for as I was with Moses, so shall I be with you,” and yes, it was the Hand of Providence that provided me with these few, but very special people. You will always be in my prayers, even after death knocks on our doors.

My hope, my prayers, my desire for you is that you will always maintain a constant “Oneness with God,” all the days of your lives. 

 

My son, my soul	S G Ali	My daughter, my heart