SAMAN (JOSEPH) MOHAMMED SALEH -

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SAMAN (JOSEPH) MOHAMMED SALEH 1962 - 2009 Saman (Joseph) Mohammed Saleh was born in Suleimania, northern Iraq, on July 17, 1962, and passed away suddenly on February 20, 2009, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His schooling and studies led to a BSc from the University of Technology in Baghdad in 1990. His travels to escape pressures in his homeland took him to Rumania in 1980, with a return to Iraq following five years later. In 1992 he decided to leave Iraq permanently. Then followed several years in Russia and Ukraine. In Ukraine he became a member of the Greek Orthodox Church where he took the Christian name of Joseph. In 1999 he decided to emigrate to Canada. He had a special gift for learning languages and eventually learned to speak well not only Kurdish, his mother tongue, but also English, Rumanian, Russian, Arabic and Persian. Several Winnipeg Mennonite congregations including Sargent Mennonite Church assisted in his emigration sponsorship. In Winnipeg he became a member of the Home Street Mennonite Church, and later an active participant in an Arab World Ministries congregation in Winnipeg pastored by Rev. Nadeem and Bernice Serhal. Joseph leaves to mourn his ailing mother, Bahia, in Suleimania, as well as a younger brother, Goran, and several sisters, one resident in Sweden. He was predeceased by his father, Mohammed, about five years ago. Special thanks go to all those who stood by him in times of difficulty, and assisted in arrangements for a memorial service led by Pastor Tym Elias at Home Street on February 23, as well as the funeral service held on March 17 at the Bardal Funeral Home in Winnipeg. The burial took place at Mennonite Memorial Gardens near Winnipeg. Tribute donations may be sent to Arab World Ministries c/o Nadeem and Bernice Serhal, 93 Lake Lindero Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 4M9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2009