23/12/2025
Extremely saddened to hear that the legend and an institution in himself, Prof. M. A. Almani has left us. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah.
He was not just a brilliant but a compassionate doctor and a teacher. He was Fasih's mentor since his student life. And loved him dearly. First thing after we arrived in Karachi after our marriage, Fasih took me to meet Prof Almani. I had heard a lot about him through Fasih. When I met him, I saw a twinkle in his eyes when he saw Fasih. I knew the bond was mutual.
A few months later, when Fasih was being interviewed for 18th grade exam, he walked into the interview and saw out of three examiners, one of them was Prof. Almani. All through the interview, he did not say a word, and even when the other two asked, Prof. Almani, you have any questions, he said, "No, I prefer you ask him as many questions as you like."
All the belief that his medical profession is a service, empathy for patients and staying humble no matter how much you achieve, he attributed to Prof. Almani. The attitude of giving he said was instilled in him by Prof. Almani who he often quoted with action: "Always pray your hand is in a giving position ( palm facing downwards) than in a begging position ( palmfacing upwards).
When the time to inaugurate Taj Consultants Clinics unfortunately Fasih's father ( who was the inspiration behind Taj and a lot of Fasih's attributes) was no more, so the natural choice was Prof. Almani.
But Fasih said there is a problem. He does clinic in Hyderabad on Sat-Sundays so he may not accept the invite. I insisted that we need to go and ask him. I took the lead and asked Prof Almani that Fasih wants you to inaugurate our Taj Clinics. He just said, "Yes I will.come." He told his assistant to note the date. And he did come, almost an hour before the inauguration time.
It was an honor for us that a legend like Prof Almani's blessings were there from the outset.
After Fasih's passing in June 2020, Prof. Almani was shocked and very sad. There was lack down and we just condoled each other on phone.
I must admit, I thought many times, but I did not have the courage to go meet Prof. Almani after Fasih. I knew I will break down and create a scene. And I did never see him, though talked a few times on phone.
Prof. Almani is a loss to the entire medical fraternity in Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan. He is a loss to the entire humanity and his passing is an end of an era where medical profession was considered a service and not a lucrative career. I can count on my single hand a few doctors who are now alive in Karachi with that mindset.
Farewell to you Sir. RIP 🙏
Regards,
Dr. Ilmana Fasih.
