The Capital Region community rallied together on a poignant Saturday evening to honor the memory of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi. At the heart of Latham, the Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Company became a beacon of unity and support, transforming sorrow into a call for greater autism awareness.
Harbe Nagi’s tragic passing on June 30th in Menands left a profound impact on the community. The young boy, who was nonverbal, wandered away from his family and met with a heartbreaking fate. In response, friends, family, and strangers alike gathered to celebrate his life and advocate for the safety and well-being of children on the autism spectrum.
Lighting the Way: A Community United by Love
The event, titled “Lighting the Way, a Love Over Hate Event,” was organized by Harbe’s friend, Azam Khan. “Harbe was nonverbal, as you know. This is a child that didn’t have a voice,” Khan explained. “I think the family would be proud to see that so many of us are carrying that voice today or being the voice for Harbe today, and that his death maybe wasn’t in vain.”
Ishmael Alzabi, another event organizer, emphasized the power of community and love. “We just want to show everyone that our community is a community that is united by the power of love. And that love speaks louder much louder than hate,” Alzabi stated. The open mic night drew dozens of attendees, including individuals from the autistic community and those who had never met Harbe but were moved to support the cause.
Raising Awareness and Promoting Safety
The event served as a platform to educate and raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by children on the autism spectrum. Mary Kavaney, Secretary of the Board of the Autism Society of the Greater Hudson Region and Director of their swim program, highlighted the critical need for specialized swim programs. “Kids on the spectrum drown at 160 times that of their neurotypical peers,” Kavaney noted. “They’re attracted to water; they get themselves in unsafe situations and they’re a little bit trickier to teach.”
Shahrukh Sultan, who emceed the event and hosts the “Speaking of the Spectrum” podcast, shared his personal experiences as a parent of a 14-year-old autistic and non-verbal son. “They say that the stress levels that autism parents have to deal with day to day are similar to those of frontline soldiers. And that’s because we have to be so hyper vigilant 24/7. No amount of cameras, tracking devices and everything. There’s no one solution to making sure they’re safe,” he explained.
Sharing Stories and Messages of Support
Attendees were invited to share their own journeys and messages of support. One by one, they passed the microphone around, offering stories and words of encouragement. “We’re here because of love, and because of love we are in mourning,” said one attendee. The night concluded with a heartfelt rendition of Harbe’s favorite song, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”
10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Autism Society of the Greater Hudson Region supporting their ongoing efforts to provide resources and programs for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
