Shabbir Ahmed

With a great sense of respect and humility, I am remembering a 9/11 World Trade Center victim, murdered as he worked by bin Laden's Islamo facist devotees.

I am proudly a small part of Dale's blogging tribute to the 2996 victims murdered on that day five years ago. Dale called upon 2996 bloggers to each be given a name of a victim to remember as we approach the fifth anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on our soil.

Dale said, "We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers." Visit the website for all the names and bloggers involved - www.dcroe.com

I do not have personal knowledge or memories of the victim chosen for me to remember. I took information about Shabbir Ahmed from a site called Wall of Americans.com and read a very nice obituary of Mr. Ahmed.

Shabbir Ahmed was 45 years old on September 11, 2001. Leaving early for work was his habit. He left his home at 4:00 a.m. to be there by 6:00 a.m. We was known for being punctual and never missing a day of work. He was an employee of the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center, Windows on the World. He was a banquet waiter, securing his job through his older brother who was a cook there. The brother, Mosobbir, left for employment at an uptown hotel after the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center but Ahmed stayed. He loved his job but hoped for better for his children.

Ahmed was one of six children originally from Bangladesh. He came to this country in 1982 and began his job at Windows on the World. He lived his dreams through his children. He wanted his children to make good grades and go to college. He dropped out of college to come to the U.S. and it was a great source of pride when his daughter Nadia received a commendation from Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden for straight A's in fifth grade. She graduated as valedictorian.

Ahmed enjoyed growing tomatoes, squash and the "hottest chiles in the world", according to his brother. His brother said, "We are fun people. We enjoyed life. Somebody put a stop to it for the meantime."

Seventy-eight other employees of the restaurant lost their lives on that day five years ago.

Ahmed left behind a wife,Jeba, a son Thanbir age 16, and two daughters, Salma age 19, and Nadia, age 12. A memorial service was held for him at Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens.

Ahmed was a Muslim immigrant from Bangladesh living in Marine Park, Brooklyn. He loved to go fishing and did so on weekends. It was an activity that reminded him of his native country.

Ahmed is missed and remembered by many.