Akbarali Tejani

Akbarali F. Tejani, lovingly known as Bhai, Bhai Mama, Akbar, Mr. T, Mukhi Saheb, Rai Saheb, and, most affectionately, Nana, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by the love of his family.

To know Nana was to know kindness.

He never needed to be the loudest person in the room because his actions spoke louder than words ever could. He believed that love was expressed through quiet consistency, generosity, compassion, and simply being there for others.

Born in Uganda, Akbar's life was marked by resilience, unwavering faith, and a heart devoted to service. He built his life with remarkable courage and grace, never losing the values that defined him: humility, gratitude, perseverance, and love.

He was the cherished husband of his beloved wife, Sultan–his greatest companion, closest friend, and the love of his life. Together, they created a home where everyone was welcome and no one ever left hungry. Family, faith, laughter, and hospitality were simply a way of life.

He was a devoted father to Karima and Amin, a beloved father-in-law to Imtiyaz (Imu), whom he loved as his own son, and an endlessly proud Nana to Jehna and Sabrina. Over the years, that treasured title extended far beyond his own family. Before long, much of the community simply knew him as "Nana," a reflection of the warmth, wisdom, and unconditional love he shared so freely with everyone he met.

His Ismaili Muslim faith was the foundation of his life. Whether serving the Jamat, welcoming others into his home, singing ginans, offering thoughtful guidance, or quietly helping someone in need, he believed that faith was not merely something to believe, it was something to live each and every day.

He had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. He celebrated life's milestones, faithfully sent encouraging emails and messages, shared stories that brought both laughter and reflection, and recorded community Zoom sessions so no one would miss a moment. He loved movies and music, adored animals, and found joy in life's simple pleasures. The ordinary became extraordinary simply because it was shared with him.

His legacy lives on in every act of kindness inspired by his example, every family gathering filled with laughter, every prayer offered for another, every ginan sung in faith, and every person who chooses compassion because they first experienced it through him.

We are at Peace, and in complete comfort in knowing that a life lived with such love, faith, and generosity never truly ends. His kindness continues through all those whose lives he touched.

May his memory forever be a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Capital Area Humane Society in honor of his lifelong love and compassion for animals.

Those wishing to honor his memory may make a donation through the Capital Area Humane Society's website.

If you would like the family to be notified of your memorial donation, please include the following information with your gift:

In Memory of: Akbarali F. Tejani

Notify: Jehna Esmail

Address: 13200 Primrose Lane

DeWitt, MI 48820

Email: [email protected]

The family is deeply grateful for the countless prayers, messages, visits, hugs, meals, and acts of kindness they have received throughout this journey. Your love has carried them through the darkest days of their lives.

They humbly ask for your continued prayers as they learn to navigate life without Nana's physical presence while striving to carry forward his love, faith, generosity, and beautiful legacy each day.

A Funeral Service will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823, US, on August 8, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.