Tribute to Ustaz Osman Omar Omran

By His Students

 

 

In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

By Hassen Saleh Beremberas (aka Asesino)       

    About everyone who attended school in Keren in the 60s and 70s has a fond memory of Ustaz

Osman Omar Umran, a beloved and respected figure whose steady and avuncular presence on

school campus was a source of emotional support for a proud community that endured an endless

siege for being at the epicenter of resistance to a brutal occupation. He knew your name, your

family, your friends, as if you were part of his extended family. In a calm and soothing way that

many found appealing, he mentored us without judging or scolding us. No doubt, he has left an

indelible impression on our collective memory. The last time I met him was in Agordat after it was

liberated by the ELF. Even in the chaos of a newly liberated town, he took the time to tell me that

he saw my younger brother, martyr Kamal, an ELF fighter, near Hagat, and that he had a chance to

talk to him. I was surprised that he knew my younger brother. But that was him, genuine, unpretentious and caring. While we grieve his loss, let’s celebrate his caring life and cherish his memory.

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In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

By Hassen Fereg

    Ustaz Omar Omran, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Medina, Saudi Arabia where he was living since 1980’s. He was born in Keren, Eritrea in 1935. He received his education in Keren Elementary School along with traditional Islamic education. Later he continued his education in Beit Ghergis, Asmara, Eritrea. He graduated from the Teacher’s Training Institute (TTI) and worked as a teacher in Barka, Agordat, Sahel, and Keren as well as in the highlands of Eritrea. He was one of the most beloved teachers, father, mentor and impromptu counselor, advising the school children on any issue which may have plagued them. He had a deep-rooted knowledge of Keren and its inhabitants. He will be missed dearly. Ustaz Omar Omran is survived by his wife, his four sons, Mohamed-Nur, Mustafa,

Abdulrahman, and Abdulkareem, his two daughters, Suad and Nejat. May God grant his paradise.

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In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

By Michael Embaie

    It is very sad to learn about the passing away of Ustaz Osman Omar

Umran. He was like a father figure to almost every student. One of the

things that I have always talked about Ustaz Umran was during the brutal

attack on ONA by the Ethiopian military. As the brutal attacks and killings

was going on, I remember that Ustaz Umran rounded as many students as

possible to get us to the OLD BUILDING, where the Library was to keep

us safe. (I am not sure where it came from, when we were kids we used to

call the old building AKAN ABKUL (the place/house of mules, may be it

was a Campo police thing). As you know the Old building was built of Rocks (Smooth Strong Rocks, River Rocks) that could withstand incoming bullets. His quick thinking was that, half of the walls of the NEW BUILDING were glass walls and not safe. I think that was his parental or fatherly instinct. In hindsight, now that many of us are parents ourselves, we have even more appreciation for what he tried to do to keep his students/children safe. This is just one of many examples to illustrate the contributions that Ustaz Umran made to the well being of the students and the school atmosphere in general. I am glad that I run into him in Keren in 1996 where we had lunch together, chatted and recalled the ONA incident and few other things.

 

Ustaz Osman Omar Omran: One Of Keren Icons

By Dr. Salah Jimi

     I was saddened to hear the passing away of Ustaz Osman Omar Omran. I decided to write this brief tribute to reflect on some of the attributes I knew of this great person. I did not have the opportunity to be taught by Ustaz Omran, because I was in primary level in the mid-1970s when he was a teacher and a librarian at Keren High School (KHS). Therefore, I leave Ustaz Omran's contribution to education to his students who are abundant everywhere. 

    I recall one thing though- some students from Keren Boys Elementary School had the habit of coming to school early (~ half an hour earlier before the morning bell rings). I was one of them. We used to go to KHS before our school bell rings. Two things appealed to us to pay early visit to KHS:- 

    (I) High school students used to do some early morning sports and other activities, not as part of their Physical Education (PE), but just out of their own initiatives and interests. I may write some recount on those activities at another time. We used to walk to KHS to watch those activities, enjoying the early morning sun and receiving free Vitamin D.

    (II) We were always thinking of the time when we will be high school students, so we were thinking ahead of our time. We just wanted to grow up quickly and be at high school. Can that be driven by the level of Eritrean nationalism that was prevalent at KHS? Yes to some extent!

    In the mist of this visit, I used to observe Ustaz Osman Omran friendly advising students to be in class in time. I vividly remember him standing at the main gate of KHS and telling students to run to the assembly area and be in class in time. I remember he had a strong personality, but approachable. That was our morning ritual before we go back to our school. Note that the primary school bell was ringing about 15 minutes following the high school.

    I want to share my personal encounter with Ustaz Osman Omran. In 1976 when I was playing at Keren Joko, my left arm badly dislocated at the elbow. It was so painful, and the time was close to Magrib ~7 pm. I went home; my father didn't take me to hospital, but straight to Ustaz Osman Omran. He quickly put the displaced joint back and perfectly wrapped my arm with a cast. I was so much relieved of the pain (may be dropped from 10 to 5). Then, I used to see him on a regular basis until my arm healed. On each visit, he used to do a physiotherapy treatment on my arm, change the cast and at the end of the session give me a lolly. All this was for free. He was not only a teacher, but a physiotherapist!

  

In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

By Tekle Bahlibi                                  

    Memhir Osman Omer Umran was the real mentor of all the disadvantaged students and especially for those who came from the Surroundings of Keren, Barka, Sahel, and from the Seminaries. Let us be strong and pass the torch to the upcoming generations.

Let God give him eternal life.

 

In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

Mohammed Ali Mahmud

    Ustaz Omer Omran was one of the finest teachers and most loved and respected individual. He considered and treated every student like his own kid.
We will miss him and my Allah forgive him and give his family and loved ones the strength through this big loss Ameen.
 

In memory of Ustaz Omar Umran

By Tesfagaber Mesghina

    Our beloved Ustaz Osman Omer Omran has recently passed away. We are saddened with his loss, but we know that he remains with us all in our memories and hearts.

Every student during the 60's and 70's should have their own memories about Ustaz Osman Omer Omran. We as students from the great and beloved city of Keren and the secondary school are paying our respects to this humble man full of love; he was a father, a mentor, and a great teacher.

    We all remember those times he was a head figure of the teachers counsel alongside Memhir Negash Adam and Memhir Fesseha Teferi. Whenever a problem arose between a student and a teacher or even the principal, He would take you to the library and will have a conversion with you one on one and he would solve the problem. His punishment would usually be to remain in the library and make you read a book that he chose while giving you constructive advice which would end up giving you a positive attitude. He built a bridge that connect the students with each other and that bridge is still alive today.

    Mr. Osman Omer Omran is not only a teacher, he was also a handyman. I remember as a student we had a small room and half library. After he took charge of the library, he moved it to a larger hall that was used as a stable of horses during the Italian and British Colony, and transformed it into a beautiful by putting up shelves he constructed himself.

Our reunion is the product and reflection that was inspired by him; he has definitely left an undeniable impact on us all.

May Ustaz Osman Omer Omran Rest In Peace

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Tribute to Ustaz Omar Umran

By Woldeselassie Tesfai Omer

Ustaz Osman Omer Umran was the educator who left his mark in Keren. His legacy will live on. We, his students have many intimate stories to tell about this great man.  Allow me to share mine; it was sometimes in 1976 when I was in Jebha, came to Mehlab from Akeleguzay so that my parents could come and meet me. When the time came to part, as any parents would do, my late father, Tesfai Omer, asked me if I need anything from Keren. I said, "Yes, how about an English dictionary."  Guess who he went to: Ustaz Osman. My father went to Ustaz’s residence and told him my wish.  Without any hesitation, Ustaz Osman Omer Umran went to the school, got the dictionary, and handed it to my father. The book was my reference for many years; every time I opened the dictionary to look for a challenging English word, I thanked him. The legend is in my heart.

Rest In Peace good man.