It is with profound sadness that we relate the death of Adhil Bakeer Markar, who was studying for a Masters in Comparative Politics here in the Department of Government at LSE.
Adhil joined the Department from Sri Lanka in September 2016 and was studying on a prestigious Chevening Scholarship. He was the son of Sri Lankan politician Imtiaz Bakeer Markar, who is Chairman of the National Media Centre in Sri Lanka. Adhil was a member of the National Youth Services Council and represented the Sri Lanka Youth Delegation at the United Nations in 2015.
Although Adhil was only at LSE for a short time, it’s clear from the responses we have already received from colleagues and friends that he will be sorely missed by all who knew and studied with him here at the school.
LSE’s Interim Director Julia Black has expressed sympathy on behalf of the whole LSE community and, as a department, we also send Adhil’s family and friends our deepest condolences.
We realise that this may be a difficult time for those who knew Adhil, so please seek help and support from LSE’s counselling services if you need it.
We have created this blog page in Adhil’s memory, which may also be of some comfort to his family and friends – thank you to all who have left messages of condolence as we remember and celebrate his life, and the links he forged here at LSE.
If you have any questions or want to talk to someone in the department, please contact Gov.office@lse.ac.uk.
LSE Department of Government
Comments have now closed for this page. Thank you all for sharing your tributes, condolences and memories of Adhil.
rest in peace
On behalf of myself and my students, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to Adhil’s parents and the rest of his family. He will be very sorely missed.
Sincerely, Professor Catherine Boone
shocked and hard to believe
once had short conversations in class breaks and impressed by his kindness
rest in peace
Rest in peace Adhil.
Thank you for being such a nice man, and for extending your hand to help others in need.
My sincere condolences to Adhil’s family and friends
Very sad news. I had the pleasure of meeting Adhil very recently and he was a wonderful person, full of energy and great to be around.
Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time.
Nabeel.
Adhil Bakeer Markar will be terribly missed. He was loved by all of us and he will be cherished in our memories forever. For and on behalf of our family, we offer our condolences to his family during difficult times, May Allah grant him to the highest place in Jannah.
From Sulaiman, Lukman and Shariffa Datha.
We have lost a talent! It is heartbreaking to hear that one of the LSE MSc in Comparative Politics students, as well as Chevening scholars, Adhil Bakeer Markar, has died prematurely. As his class- and hallmate, I feel the shock at first hand. He is a lawyer in Sri Lanka, and during our conversation, it showed that he was dedicated to this opportunity in LSE and the course to further his career, and he was enthusiastic about joining a number of societies, including the Palestinian society and contributing ideas. We met each other during class 2 weeks ago, and we just talked about life in UK as well as being a Chevener. I remember the last time that we met was this Monday before lecture, and we had a meaningful conversation, making plans for lunch this Friday, but everything turned out too little, too late. As a representative, I send my deepest condolences to his family and Sri Lanka friends, and hope that his family and friends may find the strength throughout this tragedy. To the rest, please take care of yourself and family members and friends around you!
Adhil
The nation has lost a true servant and the family a faithful son. Many God allow you to serve Him in the highest levels
Thank you LSE for posting these kind words of appreciation. Adhil was indeed blessed to be at your prestigious college, even though it was short lived.
Adhil may not have lived long, but he managed to win hearts of many, more than many of us could in our lifetimes. He was very talented yet very humble.
His early departure is a loss to society indeed. For those of us who believe in an afterlife, he has left for a better place. Let’s hope and pray that he is rewarded the best afterlife for all the good work he has done. May God bless him with the very best.
Great Lost for Sri Lankan Muslim Community too. My prayers and thoughts are with Adhils’ Family, Friends and Colleagues. May the Al Mighty forgive and grand him the Jannathul Firthows (the Highest Paradise). May the Almighty give all of us the peace and patience to accept this great loss.
I am shocked to hear about Adhil’s sudden death and my sincere condolences to his family and friends. – Ahila Thillainathan, LSE and Chevening alumna.
Sri Lanka lost one of talented young future leaders and academics. He has been one of inspirational youths in Sri Lanka contributing for peace and harmony . Like his father he is fluent in three languages and has been role model for next generation..
Our deepest condolence to his family and relatives..
From Dr SLM Rifai.Naleemi. UK
The Best of Us –
In memory of the incredible Adhil Bakeer Markar
He’d turn with a glint in his eye that often illuminated a room without the knowledge of anyone in it. A warm glow sent permeating the spaces between the walls of a battered classroom, breathing much needed life into it. The weary, bleak, paint-stripped walls of the hallowed study hall in Havelock stood no chance against the giant wave of radiance that would sweep its halls daily.
With that turn he walked to the front of the class, in his quiet, unassuming way. Always careful not to be too conspicuous. Not to catch too much attention. And then as his large yet mild frame faced the class, he displayed how like his physique his character was.
With that step he’d be at the front about to address a gathering (a podium wasn’t a must) and demonstrate in the following minutes just what “being a cut above the rest” meant in this world. In a world full of mediocrity he showed what exemplary was supposed to look like.
Never lacking dedication even with obvious gifts bestowed on him from birth, a combination of intelligence, compassion and innate know how that would leave us all envious, never taking anything for granted and always believing that you can walk to your dreams one step at a time. His many achievements, astounding as they may be are not what made him the amazing person that he was. It was his superhuman humility. Take on the world of the youth and conquer it? Of course. Tell a soul about it? Never. Without the slightest sense of exaggeration I say that he was one of the few, perhaps the last of a breed of real to the core, genuine human beings.
It’s hard to express in words just what kind of human being he was, as the words I seldom believe I’m writing right now are being written. It is in half disbelief and half utter sorrow that I say that you will be more than missed, because I don’t know if you knew it brother but you were an inspiration to everyone you ever met, just by meeting them.
A champion of these times, who would no doubt have gone long and far into making the world a better place, like you already did in a short span of time.
I’m sure you’re in the highest of places because you were destined for greatness no matter what.
Rest in peace my dear friend, the world was better for having known you and numbered you amongst its sons, and now heaven gets that absolute privilege.
You truly were, and are the best of us.
I cannot believe that he is no more.Such a promising young leader snatched away before he could fulfil his dreams for his country.We talked prior to his departure to LSE about a new Sri Lanka we want to build.He was to follow in the footsteps of his father,Imthiaz Bakeer Markar,who was Minister and exemplary Sri Lankan politician.May the family and friends be comforted by the fact that his memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
Eran Wickramaratne,Member of Parliament,Sri Lanka
The saddest part about losing people of his caliber is the lost opportunity for the future of our country. People like him would stand tall as this country is inundated with extremist elements from all quarters. This loss is almost insurmountable.
On behalf of myself, UNPUK and UNPUK Youth I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to Adhil’s loved once and friends. He’ll be missed badly.
Regards. Mohamed Fazaal
Innah lillahi wainnah ilia hi rajioon To Allah we belong and to Him we return
May Allah forgive his sins admit him to Jannathul Firdaous
We will be missing him as he was great social worker and had potential to lead a great team
May Allah grant the courage and strength to the parents, family and friends the courage and strength to overcome the great calamity
Was salaam
AGA Barrie
Adhil was one of the nicest people I had met at university. As a nervous first year undergraduate, his kindness, humility and easy-going nature made my own experience of starting university a lot easier simply through his friendship.
He was a young man with so much promise and the LSE was the best place to nurture his talent and commitment to make the world a better place. What a profound loss. May he be blessed with jannatul firdouse. Rozana Himaz, LSE alumni and fellow Sri Lankan
My heart goes out to those who knew him, family and friends alike. My sincere condolences to all who are affected by his passing.
Adil will be missed surely.
Rest in peace brother. Once LSE, forever LSE. My condolences to his family and friends.
May you Rest in Peace Adhil
My condolences to his family and friends. such a loss :'( He was such a genuine kind and sweet person
In naa lil laa hi wa in naa elaihi raji’oon I offer my hearfelt condolence and deepest sympathy to my friend Imitiasz on the sudden demise of his beloved son in London.
I have not known much about Adhil but I could certainly say from what I heard that the Muslim community in particular has lost a future leader and the Sri Lanka a great asset.
Having known his grand father Marhoom M.A.Bakeer Markar (Speaker of Parliament) a good friend of my father Marhoom M.A.C.M.Saleh, when he comes for meetings at the All-Ceylon Muslim League and also my good friend Attorney and former MP and Minister Imtiasz Bakeer Markar I could easily predict that he had all the leadership qualities and potential with his wonderful personality, talents and fluentcy in the Sinhala language.
I had an opportunity to listen to his speech on tape. His father too was a very good and eloquent speaker and I could say better than even some of the Sinhalese orators like Sinhala Marikar of Kadugannawa.of the Bandaranaike era. (C.A.S.Marikkar former MP and Minister of Posts)
Allah knows best as all of us have to depart but it is very sad that Adhil had to leave so soon when he had a bright future Alhamdulillah. May Allah In His Infinite Mercy bless his sould: give him a humble abode among saliheens in Jennathul Firdhouse and forgive his sins and make his kabr a garden of bliss In shaa Allah.
May Allah give strength and sabr to the family in the hour of their bereavement In shaa Allah.
Salaams. MAMOUN SALEH (California). After Jummah we offered prayers at our local Masjid.for the departed soul.
Contry misses an intelligent young leader who could open its doors for a better future..All losses a good scholar with immense contribution to humanity..May you rest in peace.
May Almighty ALLAH grant him the Jannath Al Firdaus.
Country misses an intelligent young leader who could open its doors for a better future..All losses a good scholar with immense contribution to humanity..May you rest in peace.
Innalillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raajihoon- ALLAHUMMAHFIRLAHU WARHAMHU.
Jehan? Are you Jehan from llb? I read what you wrote with tears in my eyes and a rock in my throat. I knew who adil bakeer makar was but never so much as stepped close to say a hello because his presence was too intimidating. I’ve felt this a million Times a sinking feeling when I saw him at exams because he seemed so focussed and prepared when. I still had 2pages to glance at. Nevertheless from behind we watched him and took inspiration from him. Maybe we weren’t worthy of him maybe he belonged among the elite in paradise. My heart goes out to Adil’s mum as a young mother I know how it must feel atleast a little.
Inna Lillahi ,,,, never met, yet read and heard much about good work he has done in the short life ….. a rising star in colombo politics and social affairs,,seems he has made a mark in the short life he has had..
Inna Lillahi Wainna Ilaihi Rajioon !!!
We send our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolence to Bakeer Markar family on the sudden demise of Adhil Bakeer Markar. It is a great loss to the community, and the country lost an intelligent young leader. We miss you Adhil.
May Almighty Allah grant him ‘Jennathul Firdhouse’
Inna Lillahi Wainna Ilaihi Rajioon !!!
We express our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolence to Bakeer Markar family on the sudden demise of their son Adhil Bakeer Markar and May Almighty Allah (SWT) give them relief at this irreparable loss of their beloved son Adhil. It is pathetic and heartbreaking news that chocked the Nation. Sri Lanka lost a very talented young future leader belonged to an illustrious and very respectable political family.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant him ‘Jennathul Firdhouse’
We missed a great future leader and leadership.
You always will be in my heart and bless.
My deepest condolences for my brother in Islam and all the members of Imthiyaz Bakeer family. May Almighty Allah give them comfort and patience and grant their beloved son the Paradise of Firdaws
Dear Imthiaz Bakir Markar,
Please except our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on the sudden death of your loving son Adhil , really it’s a heart breaking shocked loss.
May Allah forgive his sins and grant him great Jannathul Firdous.
INNA LILLAHI WAINNA ILAIHI RAJUHOON
Thasleem Shafie
And family.
From
Tanzania.
Inna Lillahi Wainna Ilaihi Rajioon.
Heartfelt condolences to Adhil Imatiaz’ s family. May Allah grant him Jennathul Firdouse. Pretty tragic to lose such a young ambitious talent so prematurely. May Allah accept everyone’s prayers for the departed and make it easier on the bereaved family to deal with their loss.
Salams.
M C H Iqbal
Beruwala.
On behalf of myself and my associates, I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to Adhil’s parents and the rest of his family …inallilahi wa inna alaihe rajeoon god gives and god takes allah rahmu rest in peace Mohammedali Kapasee freefairSriLanka
My condolences to his family and friends.
Rest in peace. My condolences to his family.
May Almighty Give him jannah (paradise)
My Thoughts are with his lovable family
A great loss to the community! May he rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family and friends!
Adhil was one of the brightest students I have lectured in Law. He was a genuine, down to earth student who mixed-up with each and every one. My most sincere condolences to Adhil’s patents and family members.
I had the immense pleasure of meeting Adhil during my first week at the LSE. We spoke for the first time after our class on Nationalism. Adhil sweetly asked where I was from. Upon informing him that my family were from India, a smile came across his face and he concluded the conversation with a soft, ‘nice to meet you bro’. Unlike most people I met that week, Adhil’s greetings resonated like none other. There was something authentic, deeply caring and enthusiastic about his character. From the outset, I knew that he was someone I would enjoy getting to know better. We spoke several times thereafter and I was lucky enough to have lunch with him on one occasion. We discussed the Syrian civil war, our module options and our career aspirations. I was mightily impressed that he had practised as a lawyer in the Sri Lanka Supreme Court. He proudly stated that with his prestigious Masters degree from LSE, he sought to launch a political career. I have no doubt that he would have been a marvellous leader. May God bless his soul. May God bless his family. We have lost a truly special man.