You Leave a Great Void behind You

Abdul (Abah) Hamid, you were a great friend and an esteemed colleague.

I remember brief and strong conversations, talking about serious political issues but always taking a step back and high. Your knowledge of how Bantenese institutions work but also their interpersonal basis, the close relationship between politics and religion, the historicity of networks and ideas, made you an excellent consultant to understand politics in Banten, in all its dimensions.

Our exchanges filled my notebook and contact book, not only with informants but also with people who became real friends. In difficult terrain you were my main point of reference, a source of inspiration and a person worthy of total trust.

Always ready to help others. I remember you accommodating me for months without asking for any consideration. Sometimes in the morning you would come to pick up some books, pray and drink coffee. Then you would spend endless days doing your job. You deserved the better of your work but you were not complaining, instead you were pleased to help your students and build a better university with your colleagues. When I came to see you in the office there were always students waiting their turn to receive a piece of paper or advice and you gave everyone time.

Once we presented a conference together in Marseille. Five days side by side and we laughed a lot despite the fatigue, in a surrealistic experience. It was supposed to be a collaboration in a long series.

If now all your plans are aborted, your loved ones, your colleagues and the whole generation of students that you have trained and nurtured with your attention and generosity will be there to continue your efforts. A subtle and informed work of denunciation and proposition, critical but respectful, committed and virtuous.

A fortnight ago you gave me important information for an article that will be dedicated to you and that I would have liked you to read.

You leave a great void behind you, not only in Banten, and I think of your family that you flooded with your love.

- Gabriel Facal