Afsal: a favourite among tourists, sacrificed his life in service

He has garnered praise for his service on some of the world's largest booking websites. The tourists he served wrote messages full of gratitude. S.Hithadhoo-born Ahmed Afsal, 39, who worked in housekeeping at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, was number one for them; ‘the best'.

"Thank you so much, Afsal, for the daily surprises (various bed decorations). You are the 'King of Sheets'," a tourist wrote in a review on TripAdvisor under the headline 'Afsal is the Best'.

The tourists also shared some photos of Afsal and his bed art; a welcome greeting arranged below a turtle design made using leaves and pieces of palm fronds. He also created various sea creature art using sand on the floor.

Another tourist commented on Expedia about the same little surprises Afsal left them daily.

"He is very helpful. Whenever we need something, he is always there," a tourist named Luke wrote in a review on October 31, 2023.

Another person wrote a review thanking the whole resort while specifically mentioning Afsal. "He is marvelous," the review said, noting his attention to the smallest details and the cleanliness of the room.

After much searching, I finally found the latest review mentioning Afsal, written a week ago.

"Afsal, our housekeeper was wonderful! He truly looked after my wife and I. Our villa was always spotless, the ice bucket was topped up and he kept our favourite drinks in the fridge. His attention to detail was to be admired," wrote a tourist named Tom.

Afsal spent most of his life in the tourism industry. Previously, at Adaaran Club Rannalhi and Club Med. Finally, at the Centara Grand.

Afsal passed away suddenly last Thursday, that too while serving one of his beloved guests.

His last service in this world was to save the life of a drowning tourist. What do we call that kind of service?

The tourist's life was saved. However, Afsal was declared dead by the time he was taken to A.Dh.Dhangethi Health Centre.

Afsal's body was taken to Addu in a sea ambulance and buried in Hithadhoo after Friday prayers.

"He was very kind and sociable," Afsal's brother Abdullah Ansar said.

Ansar, who works at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, was in Addu to bury his brother's body.

Coincidentally, at the time Atoll Times contacted him via phone, Ansar was at Afsal’s Resort, sorting his brother’s belongings and personal effects.

"Here are the comments written by the guests and what they gave him. Afsal collected and kept it all. Here it says ‘You are the best’. Another card with a gift says 'This karaoke microphone is presented to you’," Ansar said, looking through some of the items.

Ansar's narrative indicates how brave and valiant Afsal was, and that he never hesitates to help people.

"He saved several tourists' lives two or three times before. Just like this. Afsal himself called me and told me about it at the time," Ansar said.

So Ansar still found it difficult to believe what had happened. The death certificate said Afsal had drowned. Ansar spoke about how he felt:

"I think it must have been something like a brain or heart arrest. The people who were there would have seen what actually happened, right? This is what I think," he said.

Ansar didn't want to talk about it any further as he had not been there, had not seen, and the topic was a strain on his emotions, obviously.

Afsal, who is one year older, is Ansar's role model. In the workplace, Afsal is also a role model for his colleagues.

"I respect him very much. He is respectful and kind to people. When I meet people from the resorts he used to work at, they also say he is a leader. That he is the best," Ansar said.

"When my brother's body was brought here, a housekeeper from Centara also came. He said Afsal is energetic and very active throughout the day, starting work in the morning. Guest comments are the same”.

Ansar noted the kindness and compassion shown by Centara in this incident. The resort’s general manager called as soon as the incident occurred and he was properly informed.

With his brother's death, Ansar has no intention or courage to go back to his resort at the moment.

"I'm going to take a little break these days. I don’t think I’m fit right now," he said.

"But you can't give up in life. I'm going to get back up”.

With his life, Afsal had made the highest form of sacrifice, saving another life. Although such noble acts have never been much appreciated in Maldives, it is a medal-worthy act in some countries. 

However, Afsal's example in service and the titles given to him by tourists such as 'You're the Best' and 'King of Sheets' will remain in our memory. He made sure of that with his first-class service.