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Abdul Seraj Obituary
HRH Prince Abdul Ali Seraj, Age 73, of Kabul Afghanistan and Milford, Connecticut, beloved Father, Husband and Baba Jan, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2018.
A direct descendant of nine generations of Kings of Afghanistan and nephew of His Majesty King Amanullah, known as the Victor of Afghanistan, Prince Ali dedicated his life to his beloved country of birth and his family.
Prince Ali received his education in Afghanistan and in the United States at the University of Connecticut. He earned degrees in Economics and Business/Public management. In Afghanistan, he established several successful businesses and restaurants, the most famous being the 25 Hour Club and the Golden Lotus. He was also very actively involved in the welfare of his countrymen. He assisted the poor and the needy and helped set up the downtrodden in private business so that they need not beg.
After the communist coup in 1978, Prince Ali escaped from Afghanistan and settled in the United States with his American wife Maribeth Blawie Seraj and his Daughters, Safia, Sahar and Alia. For 24 years, while in the US, Prince Ali made a successful career in business development, sales and marketing in fields including commercial real estate, industrial components and fiber optics. During this time he also provided leadership for activities and programs designed to bring information about the plight of the Afghan people to the government and the people of the United States.
Upon his return to Afghanistan in 2002, after more than two decades of exile, Prince Ali continued his charitable work and proceeded to build over three hundred homes, several mosques for the poor in several provinces and supplied school materials to thousands of students.
After a long battle with cancer, Prince Ali passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, charisma, and boundless love and pride for his homeland and his family. He is mourned by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law Robert Webber, Jonathan Ross-Wiley and Jason Cavallaro, and six grandchildren, Soraya, Zia, Tariq, Farah, Laila, and Kaihan.
The family would like to invite all who mourn Ali to attend a service in tribute to his life on Thursday July 12 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 S. Benson Road in Fairfield CT. All guests are invited to participate in a remembrance of a grand life well lived, with speakers welcome to share their stories and memories from 7:30-8 p.m.
Burial Services with prayers will be held Friday Morning July 13 at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Milford, CT.
In lieu of flowers the family asks any gifts be directed the charity of your choice in support of Afghanistan in order to honor his one hope, that one day a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan will once again be restored.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Abdul Seraj
Janet Sherlock-Bitseff
July 8, 2022
Dear friend Ali Seraj is missed and always remembered! A true "Prince" of a guy ~ no pun intended. If still living, I believe he could solve some of today's world problems. An intelligent, caring, magnanimous soul. Grateful to have known him even for a short time. Blessings upon Ali, his family and all who cherish him.
Rommert Folkertsma
October 21, 2021
Sad to read that my dear friend died already three years ago. I was trying to reach him to discuss current stresses in Afghanistan. I would be grateful to re-contact with his kind Sister - we did have dinners' jointly in Kabul some decade ago.
May God be with him, take care of his family, and may all Afghans find a road that lifts them towards a brim of hope and light that provides them with opportunity to independence and self-governance, where every flower will grow vertile and to its full capabilities and individual drive.
God bless my dear friend - respect brother
Janet S Sherlock-Bitseff
July 6, 2021
On this the 3rd anniversary of Ali's "transistion", I think we can all agree that to "know him ~ is to love him"... and we are better for it! I honor him to this day ~ his picture and message from his 2018 Ramadan message blesses my office! Thank you, Ali!
Janet Sherlock-Bitseff
July 13, 2020
Gone from our sight ~ but never from our hearts! His Spirit lives on and continues to inspire! Blessings to his family and friends!
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Janet Sherlock-Bitseff
July 10, 2019
Ali's passing a year ago was a tragedy ~ but his life was a triumph! I light a friendship candle each night in his memory. The candle was given to me by a friend whose birthday was July 11th ~ Ali's "rebirth" date. Blessings on Ali, his dear family and all who knew and loved him.
Aziz Gerges
August 12, 2018
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this difficult time. Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and that he cares. 1 Peter 5:6&7 assures us "Humble yourselves, therefore , under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt by. you in due time, while you big all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you."
August 8, 2018
I was blessed to meet Prince Ali in 1966. He is someone I never forgot and was blessed again to reconnect with him in 2011. My husband and I had planned to visit him in October this year and was shocked to learn of his passing! It is with overwhelming gratitude for knowing him that saves me from despair. Because of him, I studied Islam and as a result I no longer identify only as Christian ~ I am of a blended faith of the Abrahamic tradition. His Ramadan message this year was wonderful; I will print a sign of the last few lines and hang them on my office wall. I quote: "May we always have compassion in our hearts for the less fortunate. May we always extend charity where charity is needed. May we extend our love to all human beings of all faiths." This is who he was and is. May God Bless him always and in all ways! Rest in peace, dear friend. Bill and I will visit you at St. Mary's cemetery in October. Blessings and peace to his wonderful family. From Janet Sherlock-Bitseff
Abdullah Rafiq
July 15, 2018
The loss of my best friend and brother Ali is still unimaginable to me. I don't remember any fun time in my life without Ali being there. We lived together day and night for eight years and those memories will forever be embedded in my heart. My wife, Mariam and I share the grief that the family is experiencing at the moment. May Ali's soul rest in peace. Mariam and Abdullah Rafiq
Kabul April 2002. Pledging our lives to help with restoration of Afghanistan for its people.
Ahmad Wali Shairzay
July 14, 2018
Very youn age of Abdullah Jon and Ali while they were staying in Karachi.
Ahmad Wali Shairzay
July 14, 2018
July 14, 2018
Condolences to the family of Prince Ali, May the God of peace comfort you all during this time.
Mary Lou Bigelow
July 13, 2018
My deepest condolences to Prince Ali's family and friends around the world. His messages of hope for his beloved Afghanistan will be sorely missed. He was a giant of a man. RIP
Daoud Ghazi
July 13, 2018
My deepest condolences to Seraj and Tarzi family, Specially to Abdullah Jan Seraj, Salma Jan Seraj and his daughters that unfortunately dont know there name. (Apologizes) and Hamed Jan seraj. May his Soul Rest In Peace. I was shocked by reading this sad news. I meet Ali Jan for the first time in 2010 in Kabul. Passed unforgettable moments with him. He was a wonderful person and his heart was placed in a right place full off Loves, Generosity and Humor. His memory will stay alive in my heart until I am alive. Zendagy sar famil bashad.
Alia Zaman
July 13, 2018
We will miss you dearly Ali jan! Our condolences to the Seraj family.
Sara and Quadir Amiryar
July 13, 2018
RIP my dear and wonderful friend. Hope one day your hopes and dreams of peace and stability in Afghanistan come true.
God bless your soul and place you in Heaven
The Boyce Family
July 13, 2018
The world needs more Prince Adbul Ali Seraj types. What an interesting man and how dearly he will be missed by so many. May he find peace and may his beloved country find peace also.
Me, my dad and Prince Ali. Kabul 1969.
Tracy Jacobs-Meister
July 13, 2018
RIP Prince Ali. My condolences to the family. Prince Ali was a friend of our family when we lived in Kabul 1969-1971.
EDGAR BAKER JR
July 13, 2018
With Deepest Sympathy to the Family!
Osman Malikyar
July 13, 2018
R.I.P. Dear Ali Jan ,my condolences to the seraj and Tarzi families,he will be missed by all of his friends.
Ghezal Gobar
July 12, 2018
My condolences to the Seraj and Tarzi families. My his soul rests in eternal peace
Daniel Cellucci
July 12, 2018
My condolences to the family.
Janet Edwards
July 12, 2018
Mary Beth and family
Heartbreaking sorrow. Hope happy memories heal your heart. I know you will be there for each other. Janet Booth Edwards
Mariam Atiqee
July 12, 2018
I am so sorry my condolences to Seraj family, I met Ali Jan in Kabul April 2002.
Sabrina Seraj
July 12, 2018
Heaven welcomed a legend on July 11th. Love to my cousins for the passing of their father. Now begins the challenge for those who remain as our loved ones depart to find peace and connect with the love they instilled, harness their teachings, and feel the energy of their spirits that seeped in over the time we spent with them here, and have faith that there is purpose to the hardship we must endure in their physical absence and hope we meet again, inshallah. ❤
Carol
July 12, 2018
What a man, what a loss! Ali showed us all how to take care of each other and how to celebrate life.
Rest in peace dear brother in law and friend.
Nan Carlucci
July 12, 2018
Sending my heartfelt sympathy to the Seraj family.
lynne blawie-fink, jaclyn leroy & family
July 12, 2018
although we did not know prince ali personally, he sounded like a kind and loving person, determined to help those in need to live a better life. our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family as you process his next journey, with love and faith and wonderful memories in your hearts
Dr. Faisal Hashimi
July 11, 2018
My deepest condolences to all of you. He will be missed by all of us.God bless his soul.
Shrinivasrao Sohoni
July 11, 2018
Very sad to learn of the passing of Prince Abdul Ali Seraj. We became friends in 2006 when I was in Afghanistan and he remained a friend in the years since. His dedication to the people of Afghanistan and the cause of peace and well-being in Afghanistan was total. The practical projects he accomplished to provide housing, health care, and education, were of great support to the needy. He had a sense of history and heritage that was inspiring. He wrote and spoke with great knowledge and feeling. His vision of fraternal friendship, cooperation, and a shared destiny between Afghanistan and my country, India, was among the many things that made for our friendship. Above all he was a perfect gentleman, a true prince, gentle, warm, and lion-hearted.
My deepest condolences to his family and vast circle of friends. I share your sorrow. A glory has passed. May All'ah Almighty grant him great honor in Jannah.
Laura Lewis
July 11, 2018
What a great loss. My condolences to family.
Homaira Sharif Rassoul
July 11, 2018
Dear Ali Jon, in our last conversation, we rimenised about the great era of Kabul in all its glory, and your club, Golden Lotus. Then, you jogged my memory about a long forgotten incident; I, an underage girl, accompanied by a group of grownups were seeking entry into the Club. I was denied entry because of my age, had to leave. Next thing I knew, you came outside, took me by my hand, ushered me in, offered a Coke and advised the Maitre'd that I was welcomed. It wasn't just because of our families' connections, it was because you cared about my crestfallen face. We had a good old time. This minute incident left an everlasting impression; it showed you cared. We know that when we pass on to the next world, bodies become dust to dust, souls go to heaven, but it's the good memories of the person that stays alive for ever. May you rest in everlasting peace. meen
At the Golden Lotus January 1975
Lee Anne Bennett
July 11, 2018
My deepest condolences to all of you. Our family, the Bennetts, knew and loved Ali. It is with such sorrow that I have learned of his passing. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may the angels lead him to paradise.
Tyla Tingle (Jacobs)
July 11, 2018
Peace and Love to your family in this time of great loss. In a time and place long ago, almost fifty years and a Kabul very different, Prince Ali showed my father and our family a most gracious welcome to Afghanistan. I will always remember sipping chai with him on the outskirts of Kabul during the kite fights.
The Staff of Spear-Miller Funeral Home
July 12, 2018
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
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