Post by Mathew Thomas Philip

Today, I want to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Adam Haikal, a remarkable young lawyer who made an incredible impact in his just 26 years who was laid to rest today. I will always remember the first piece of work I assigned to him- he delivered it with such exceptional skill that it felt as if he were channeling the capabilities of a higher species artificial intelligence. But it was his own intelligence at work. Adam had a unique ability to surprise, as his father shared with me today. A first class law degree from IIUM. He read widely and there was never a topic that he was not capable of giving an interesting view. He was a true advocate in the making, embracing every challenge with a passion that set him apart from his peers. He was punching above his weight. His love for music was evident and I am happy to have jammed with him whenever we had the chance. We shared countless laughs over the smallest silly things. It pains me to realize that one moment he was here, brightening our lives and in the next, he was gone. The song "Peaceful Easy Feeling" by the Eagles played in my mind, perfectly reflecting the warmth and comfort of the smile he wore on his face today. He left us with a smile. It is often said that some people can live a lifetime in just a fraction of that time. Life is a little time and energy. In Adam’s case, he truly embodied this notion, living each moment with an intensity that few can match. While we are saddened by the sudden passing at such an early age, please remember that he lived a lifetime of rich experiences. And in our moments of grief we need to hold on to that eternal smile on his last day to make sense of his early loss. Rest in peace, Adam. You will be deeply missed.