Sulaiman Munir Sharieff

"Sulaiman Munir Sharieff"

Sulaiman Munir Sharieff, 72, of Paramus, New Jersey, departed this life on December 18, 2021, after suffering a long bout with Cancer.

He was born in Newark, New Jersey, on August 23, 1949, to his mother, Irene Gloria Walker. 90+ Years Young, Irene is still with us, residing in beautiful South Carolina.

He worked in such fields as merchandising, auto parts, owned a few Beauty/Hair Salons and Halal Foods. He had a deep love for Islam. One he would romanticize when spoke of.

Extremely intelligent and wickedly witty, Sulaiman was known for having the last word. Countless nights we would play Chess or Scrabble, wherein he was always the victor.

No matter how close I’d get, I could never beat him. He was a master of most things he pursued. Sulaiman had an impeccable fashion sense and we loved to shop. I recall saying: who has more fur coats than me? He smiled and said when he was feeling better than I had to meet Duffy.

As part of the High Society in Bergen County, he exposed us to Black Art and Black Culture. We share a large collection of eclectic books reflecting the many expressions of our people.

Black Cinema, Old School Music, and Exotic Cigars were amongst those collections.

Highly regarded for his business acumen and for being a great family man, he would be comfortable having tea at high noon with Jack & Jill’s or simply taking out the trash early every Wednesday morning. He was dignified and upright in everything he would do. Unapologetic and Terse. A Man’s Man, as they say. He lived a full life with very few regrets.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 26 years, Shonda, his mother-in-law, Virgie, his 6 children: Imani James, Munir Gonzales, Taj Sharieff, Aquilah Hadiya Sharieff, Sulaiman Aquil Sharieff, and Najlah Munirah Sharieff, his 3 brothers-in-law, William, Samuel, and Wyndle Darby, his niece and nephew, Nubia and Najee and grandson Amari Wiggins, and Best Friend & Partner in Crime, Abdur-Raheem Akram. He has a four-legged son, Amaan Sharieff. What a bond they had. To see those two! Amaan aka Maany, means: Most Loved. And to Sulaiman, he most certainly was. Sulaiman Munir Sharieff was loved by many, feared by most, and will be missed by all. He chose me. And I think that says it all. We were one in this life and will be in the next one… for all eternity.  My homage to you, this tattoo of your name and a butterfly, on these legs you so adored. Rest in Peace, my love… Forever YOUR butterfly, Shonda.