Heartfelt messages for Anwar on Fathers Day
In conjunction with Father’s Day on Sunday, three of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s daughters penned heartfelt messages expressing their love for their incarcerated father.
The messages were written by Anwar’s younger daughters Nurul Ilham, Nurul Iman and Nurul Hana and were posted to Facebook by Nurul Ilham on Sunday night.
Each message address Anwar as ‘Papa’ and concluded with the hashtag ‘#March2Freedom’ which is the name of an ongoing campaign to free Anwar.
The third child of Anwar, Nurul Ilham ( photo ), wrote that she has learnt the meaning of sacrifice now that she has her own daughter to care for.
“Papa. Bravery, sacrifice and love were the outcomes of these choices that I made. I became brave to fight injustice and dared to face the consequences.
“I understand the meaning of sacrifice of being a daughter, mother, wife, and sister. And I understand the value of love that you have with your dear ones and hope that they would not have to go through the pain that you had to,” she said.
Her younger sister Nurul Iman lamented how quiet the family dinner table had become in Anwar’s absence.
'Cruelty of country'
“All those stories you were so excited to tell. All the advice you were eager to share. It is but now just an empty seat,” she said.
Nevertheless, she reassured that the family remains strong and vowed to press on to ensure her father’s freedom.
As for Anwar’s youngest offspring, Nurul Hana, she expressed hope that she would see her father again soon.
“I hope the fitnah (slander) and cruelty of this country can be wiped away and things would the same again. But Allah has other plans.
“You always remind me that Father’s Day is every day. But today, I want to emphasise the things that I am grateful, that I am blessed to have a father like you,” she said.
Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence in Sungai Buloh prison after the Federal Court upheld his sodomy conviction on Feb 10.
The former opposition leader maintained that he is innocent and claims to be a victim of political conspiracy.
The three Fathers' Day messages from his daughters are reproduced in full below:
Salaam dearest Papa,
This month of Ramadhan and Father’s Day have brought wonderful memories of your presence. With those wonderful memories, you are dearly missed. But the struggle continues: things are extremely different compared to 1998, even though the fate of our family is the same.
Papa, you have taught me to decide on the most challenging decisions of my life where we shall continue to fight on for justice. While I reminisce mama’s sacrifice for her children, I too, have realized and learned, that I am also sacrificing for my own daughter, Raniya.
Papa,
Bravery, sacrifice and love were the outcomes of these choices that I made. I became brave to fight injustice and dared to face the consequences. I understand the meaning of sacrifice of being a daughter, mother, wife, and sister. And I understand the value of love that you have with your dear ones, and hope that they would not have to go through the pain that you had to.
Thank you Papa
We Love You~
Ramadhan Mubarak,
Happy Father’s Day
Nurul Ilham Anwar
#March2Freedom
For this Ramadhan
It has been awfully quiet on the dinner table
Your presence is greatly missed papa
All those stories you were so excited to tell
All the advice you were eager to share
It is but now just an empty seat
Everyone gathered yesterday to break fast
Mama, Your beloved children as well as your grandchildren
If you were there,
I know you would be so happy to see your grandchildren playing together
To see us happy together
Don’t worry, our family’s spirit is as strong as ever
But it has never been the same since you were unjustly taken from us..
132 days ago
It is a new climate for us siblings
Having to step up into public view
We have to admit that it is not easy
But this is our life now
And we will do whatever it takes
To spread the truth
To free you from this injustice
And Insha Allah one day.
Justice will prevail and you will be back home with us
Hopefully that one day wont be too long
I love you very much papa.
Happy Father’s Day.
Nurul Iman Anwar
#March2Freedom
Papa,
In this month of Ramadhan,
I miss listening your call to prayer,
Especially for Solat Isyak and Terawikh,
You would hug and kiss me goodbye,
When you have to leave for work,
I hope that I can meet you soon Papa,
I hope the fitnah and cruelty of this country can be wiped away,
And things would the same again.
But Allah has other plans,
You always remind me that Father’s Day is everyday,
But today, I want to emphasize the things that I am grateful,
That I am blessed to have a father like you.
Nurul Hana Anwar
#March2Freedom
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