Ali Abbasi Our Memories
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
A special person who crossed many cultures
(A personal tribute from John Morrison to his friend Ali Abbasi)
Ali Abbasi was a unique character. I do not expect to meet anyone like him in my own lifetime.
He was taken away from us far too quickly at 42 but achieved more in his short life than the rest of us will manage, even we lived as long as Methuselah. He brought three cultures closer together – Asian, Scottish and Gaelic – and whenever he walked he left a void which can never be filled.
Ali was born in
He was working in a museum after leaving school when he wrote to the BBC to complain about an Asian programme they were making. He said the image of Asian life they were representing was so alien and far from the truth that the programme must be produced by white people. He was right. The BBC understood this and offered him a job.
I first met Ali in the BBC Scotland newsroom. He was small but sturdy. An excellent broadcaster. But it was the sparkle in his eyes and the permanent smile on his face which immediately told that you were in the company of someone special. All sorts of people go through the BBC newsroom. But everyone received the same welcome from Ali, regardless of who they were.
Whatever their status they were equally important to him.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
After the tragic death of the irrepressible Asian Scot, Ali Abbasi, in 2004, his sister Mussie Abbasi Harrison wrote this touching tribute to her inspirational little brother. The BBC Radio
This book charts Ali’s remarkable life, from his arrival in
Moving tributes from family members, friends and admiring listeners; fantastic photographs and memories of Ali’s trips to the Highlands and islands of
About the Author
The only daughter of Fatima and Mohammed Tahir Abbasi was named Mussarrat Begum Abbasi at birth. She was pet named Baby by parents and nick-named Mussie by primary school friends which up to this day has stuck with her.
Mussie grew up surrounded by elder and younger brothers.
In the 60’s Mussie her family moved from
and finally settled in Glasgow City Centre, where her father became the first Asian police constable in
Being the only girl amongst seven brothers, Most of Mussie’s formative years were spent looking after her lively brothers and keeping them in check, as they were always up to mischief.
Over the years, Mussie has had several jobs working with youth, including leading workshops in drama, arts and crafts, and choreography. She also ran a number of youth clubs in her capacity as a senior youth leader. Mussie has been involved in a wide range of jobs from interpreting, to children’s panel, to helping the social work department, and, most importantly of all, being a big sister to her four younger brothers, being a mum to her three daughters and being a gran to her grand-daughter and grandson.
Mussie is married to Erich and lives in Renfrewshire, Glasgow.
Writing this book has been her way of dealing with the grief of losing her younger brother, of whom she was very fond. Mussie has spent the last few years following in her brother Ali’s footsteps, raising money for charities and keeping his memory very much alive.