Abdulkarim Jiwa

Clinical Associate Professor - UBC Deptartment of Psychiatry A gentle soul has departed. Dr. Abdulkarim Jiwa (aged 79) died on July 4, 2024, following a myocardial infarction. He had played golf with zest the previous day, beating two older pros whose handicaps, he said, were far better than his. He loved golf and his golf 'buddies'. He also loved jazz, bridge, history and life itself. Especially, he loved his family. A funeral service was held at the Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana on July 9, 2024. Myself (Theresa) and our two children, Ashley (37), Adam (35) and Mikaela (Adam's fiancé 34) received many, many accolades about our dear man – all attesting to his gentle, kind, compassionate and tolerant nature – and to his dry sense of humour. His cardiologist of over 20 years, Dr. Saul Isserow, referred to him as a 'prince of a man' and 'one of the most decent people he has ever met.' His co-workers said he was a 'role model, the best' and the 'spark' that came in each morning. To us, he was the love of our lives. For his children, he was a rock – with endless wisdom and patience. Sometimes he fathered with sayings – ie. 'If a fly hits the windshield, you have to blink but you don't have to drive off the road'. He was a source of immense laughter (though rarely on purpose) and was never without a loving ear. To his wife, he was a soulmate – always planning beach walks, symphonies, walking holidays and bridge games. He was her sous-chef – side by side for dinner creations – all full of countless discussions about everything and nothing. Dr. Jiwa was born in a small village in Uganda, called Kalisizo. He studied at the Aga Khan primary and secondary schools in Kampala, and then at Makerere University Medical School from 1966-1971. We're told his classmates remembered him as a quiet man – always calm, full of wisdom and never arrogant. He excelled in all his subjects and graduated in 1971 with bachelor's degrees in medicine and surgery. However, the graduation ceremony was delayed for six months while a new bigger gown was being tailored in Britain for the new Chancellor of the University – none other than Idi Amin himself – the brutal dictator who seized Uganda in a bloody coup that year. Dr. Jiwa finally received his degree with a handshake from Idi Amin. He then worked in northern Uganda (Soroti) delivering babies and doing surgery. He had wanted then to be a surgeon. Soon after, he was part of the Asian expulsion ordered by Idi Amin – given ninety days to pack up and leave. The family were scattered to various countries – Dr. Jiwa to Montreal on his 28th birthday. The then Governor General, Roland Michener, came to greet the plane. What many might not know is that the Ismaili people paid back the Canadian government every dime, in gratitude for assisting them in their perilous time. In due course, Dr. Jiwa joined the Psychiatric residency program at UBC. Inspired by the brilliant Scottish professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Allen German, he decided to pursue a career in psychiatry. He established himself as a highly respected Psychiatrist – employed by the UBC hospital for almost 50 years (see https://med-fom-psychiatry-sandbox2019.sites.olt.ubc.ca/inmemoriam-dr-abdulkarim-jiwa-clincal-associate-professor/). Dr. Jiwa was the eldest of seven children. One sister, Nasim (Azad), died from ovarian cancer on Canada Day, 2019. One brother, Minaz (Monera), died from chronic lymphocytic cancer on April 1, 2024 (he always had a great sense of humour), and Dr. Jiwa died on US Independence Day. Abdul is survived by his loving wife, Theresa, of 38 years; and his two children, Ashley and Adam; and Adam's fiancé, Mikaela. Also surviving are his siblings, Yasmin (Amir), Naju (Nadia), Shenula and Nilman; his nephew, Ismail (Shalena) and their children, Asher and Ayden. His nieces include Sabiha, Zara, and Aziza (Morgan) and their children, Morgan and Samira. It is with great, great gratitude that we thank Dr. Tara Sedlack, Tina, and all the amazing staff at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at VGH. The care they provided was beyond excellent. Should you wish, please donate to the UBC Institute of Mental Health or the Charity of Your Choice. Abdul was loved by many and will be missed by many.