Tribute to Karim Manji

I met Karim around a year ago in Brighton and we quickly struck up a friendship. He was someone whose company I always looked forward to, usually at a spot in Brighton for a natter and a bite to eat. We last saw each other for Thai food, followed by tea and cake before he headed back to Essex. It was a very cold November evening and I remember saying goodbye to him feeling cheered and warmed by the company we shared that evening. Over the time I got to know him, I found him funny (oh the puns!), smart, open-minded, thoughtful, principled, courageous and kind. I was also struck by how he took an interest in me, people, the world around him, and spoke about others with compassion. I am holding Karim in mind, and his family and close circle at your time of immense loss. I'm deeply grateful for having met you Karim, and for enriching my life, albeit in the relatively brief time we knew one another x