Fawzi Al-Muradi - (Al-Asad - The lion)

Mohamed Abdel Majid

Those who have remained in Khartoum during these days witnessing the capitals turmoil and chaos know well that the itinerant vendors pass by them during various hours of the day, especially in the morning and evening periods. Occasionally, they come with their carts, displaying their goods to the people, announcing them with voices carrying a hint of war.

Some of them shout: Milk, milk! Some of them shout: Onions, onions! And they dont go beyond that. Then another appears at a time well-known to the neighborhoods residents, shouting: Eggs, eggs!

Sometimes, the sellers of milk, onions, and eggs might be late, and instead, the sounds of explosions and the roar of warplanes take their place. Perhaps a gunshot might even reach your doorstep, and a bullet might find its way into your home, just as it did with the departed, Al-Jar Al-Hilali Abdul Aziz Abu Shanab and Hassan Barkia, an Olympic team player, and others. Its faster than the sellers in reaching you, serving as the only available delivery service in Khartoum these days.

Naguib Mahfouz once said: Fear of death doesnt prevent death, but it prevents life. Therefore, we live with that conviction, in faith and reckoning. There are no exceptions in terms or delays in the appointed times. In such circumstances, we try to live our lives normally amidst the rubble.

All these things, represented by the audible display of goods, have become aspects of life, part of the daily programs in Khartoum. These aspects give us a sense of reassurance that life is ongoing. The milk, onion, or egg seller might miss their appointment, as we pointed out, due to war-related reasons or autumn conditions. However, bullets, shells, explosions, warplanes, and violations dont miss their appointments. As Al-Mutanabbi said when speaking about fever: (It fulfills its promise, and the promise is evil), even when a truce is announced between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, bullets and shells dont wait. It seems that these truces are the opportune times for them to open fire.

One of the wonders of time is that war has become the norm in Khartoum and the Darfur states. Stopping the war and not opening fire are merely a truce. Even truces are not adhered to.

We are now searching for truces within truces, and the blind man at the table asked for ful not to target it, but to avoid it!

The day Captain Fawzi El-Mirghani left, the sellers of milk, eggs, and onions came one by one, all shouting: Sadness... Sadness... or so it seemed to us. We didnt see beans or milk. Even the roar of warplanes that day was sorrowful, resembling a lament, as if even the sound of explosions was lamenting. This sorrow that engulfed the country wasnt just a truce that they adhere to or not; it became a natural state and a general feeling that took over all hearts after the lion Fawzi El-Mirghani departed.

As for truces, they have no commitment, fidelity, or obligation, even during peace hours. Do you expect them to abide by agreements and treaties when they are in a state of war?

The rifle knows no commitment or safety. In my heart, there is a space for sorrow that widens day by day, to the point where I finally officially declared my heart a region of sorrows.

Fawzi El-Mirghani departed, and sorrows were renewed. The sports community is the most tightly-knit and cohesive. It gathers for vigil and fever when a member is suffering. What about when that complaint is about departing from this world? Whats the situation when that member is Fawzi El-Mirghani, who meant everything?

I still remember Dawood Mustafa, moving gracefully and agile like butterflies, full of culture. I remember him in black jeans, a bag slung over his shoulder, and constant conversations about Zidan Ibrahim. His image in that form never leaves me.

He held a deep affection for Zidan Ibrahim. When he talked about Zidan, it was as if you could hear Zidan singing with a wooden lyre. Dawood was a cell of activity and constant work. He cared about others and was committed to communicating with them.

Halalia Dawood Mustafa, may God have mercy on him, was like pure milk. His heart was as pure as white.

Passing through my thoughts is colleague Ali Hmashri, the journalist and satirical writer, poet, businessman, and the figure that occupied the sports community, at a time when Salah Idris and Jamal Al-Wali were covering the horizon north and south.

I remember the late Mohammed Ahmed Dosouqi, who was destined to be an Editor-in-Chief. He was the same in the street, at home, and in the office; his demeanor and strong personality spoke volumes.

I recall Abdel Mawla Al-Siddiq, most devoted to Hilal, a Sufi melting with passion for blue.

I remember Abdel Moneim Mokhtar, practicing his fervent Hilalism in silence!

I cant forget the young journalist colleague Az al-Din Mahmoud, a bundle of senses.

In satire and mythical romance, there was Majdi Meki and Salah Malisha.

On the other side, we remember Abdel Mageed Abdel Razek, who represented the pinnacle of neutrality and professionalism while remaining a true supporter of Al-Merrikh.

I remember Salah Said, the pen that rightfully earned the title of the Drawn Sword of Al-Hilal.

In our tragedies as well, we remember the young Bee Abdullah Qanon, the dynamic news platform Adlan Yousef, and before them, Professor Abduh Qabil, who was a library of sports archives.

Others have departed, with the most recent being the sports pyramid Mergani Abu Shanab. We will return to them if God grants us more years. Others will be mentioned later, including Ahmed Awad, a member of the Hilal Ultras, whose passion for blue was apparent. May God have mercy on them all and treat them kindly in the eternal abode. Let us not forget in our prayers Saif al-Din Ali, Mohammed Sulaiman Dakhil Allah, and Al-Mutasim Awshi.

Today, I remain with Fawzi Al-Mardi, who turned the Hilal Stadium into his den, a space where he is deeply missed.

If you were to search in Google or in the hearts for the most adored, loved, and passionately dedicated figure to Hilal, the search would lead you to Fawzi Al-Mardi. His passion and dedication for Hilal earned him the title of The Lion – he is a lion. A lion, to the extent that his appearance and features have become leonine, and his sharp gaze reflects the lions gaze. I even dare to presume that when lions intensify their enthusiasm, they compete among themselves to be named after Fawzi Al-Mardi. So, its said of the lion, when it distinguishes itself and asserts its dominance, that it embodies Fawzi Al-Mardi.

The image of Fawzi receiving Haitham Mustafa after he was substituted in the 90th minute while Hilal led Al-Ahly of Egypt with three clean goals remains vivid in my mind. The stadium was boiling like a cauldron at that moment, just as Fawzi Al-Mardis heart was boiling from the intensity until it succumbed to weakness and illness. How many operations his heart underwent due to his love and dedication to Hilal.

If the love for Hilal and its passion had a human embodiment, it would be Fawzi Al-Mardi. I believe that the keenness, passion, and dedication of Hilal fans have Fawzi Al-Mardi as their source.

The blood type of Hilal supporters before and after diagnosis is Fawzi Al-Mardi, and the colors of the blue and white Hilal are intertwined with Fawzi Al-Mardi. The hue of passion within Hilal leans toward the pristine Al-Mardi. I even dare to say that if there were a membership card for the Hilal Education Club, the card number would be Jiksa, the issue date would be Wali Al-Din Mohammed Abdullah, and the place of issue would be Fawzi Al-Mardi.

The capital of Hilal is (Fawzi Al-Mardi).
On the green rectangle, I was captivated by Mansour Bashir Tanga, Anwar Al-Shalala, Haitham Mustafa, Mohannad Al-Tahir, and Basheer.

Outside the field, Fawzi Al-Mardi captivated me. His presence within the penalty area or on the bench instilled confidence, security, and tranquility within the Ahlawi ranks. Even opponents would tremble and feel a foreboding presence upon seeing him (as a lion).

During the six consecutive championships achieved by Al-Merrikh, Fawzi Al-Mardi played a significant role. The victories were achieved not only through tactical aspects but also through the psychological element, in which Fawzi Al-Mardi excelled. He led Al-Hilal both artistically and mentally throughout those championships.

Fawzi Al-Mardi gave us confidence, even if he made statements in newspapers or his image appeared in the press or on television.

In many matches, Al-Hilal needed moral and psychological support. The clubs management and coaching staff would turn to Fawzi Al-Mardi to record a visit to the team during its final practice session before a match. Fawzi never hesitated to visit and support Al-Hilal, even when he was in the intensive care unit.

This visit by Fawzi didnt just provide Hilal with motivation and enthusiasm; it also intimidated the opponent. He was a man who spoke for Hilal. We felt Hilal within him and found Hilal in him – in his breath, his voice, his stride, in everything.

The grief over Fawzi Al-Mardi was complex because he experienced the loss of his beloved daughter, Dr. Alaa, who fell unconscious before his eyes due to a projectile on the first day of Sudans war, in addition to his wife Zeinat Ahmed Osmans injury, who was transferred to the intensive care unit, while her daughter was buried.

Fawzi Al-Mardis embodiment of resilience and patience was evident as he received calls of condolence for his daughter from everyone. Yet, it seemed that grief was overwhelming despite his patience and acceptance, and after just a few days, Fawzi Al-Mardi joined his daughter in passing away. He passed away on the evening of Friday, May 5, 2023, only 20 days after the war began and after the death of his daughter, the doctor.

His grief for his daughter made him unable to endure living without her for more than 20 days.
We ask God for mercy and forgiveness for Fawzi Al-Mardi, his daughter, and all the victims of the war.

O God, protect Sudan, its people, and restore its security and stability.
There is no might nor power except in God.
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Footnote: Mercy for all.

Matareis (Final Note):
We ask Allah for the well-being, health, and safety of all the people of Sudan. We pray for that while being in this gathering, including our esteemed mentors Rashid Abidi, Kamal Hamed, Ali Al-Raih, Mamoun Al-Tahir, Hisai, Shajrabi, Ramadan Ahmed Al-Sayyid, Ahmed Al-Hajj Maki, Abdul Fazal, Alim Al-Din Hashim, Wad Al-Sharif, Ismail Hassan, Abu Jameel, Jagoud, Al-Junaid, Khaled Lemon, Al-Sahef, Abu Sakoosh, Saleem Abu Safara, Sahef Al-Nilain, and Isaac Abu Qarn. And all of Sudan.

Take care, even though we lack much, our greatest lack is the absence of your precious sight.
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Final Message: Mercy for all.