This is my first opportunity to express my sadness at the passing away of Harakaat. Reading about his death a little under three months ago was shocking and upsetting. He was a gem, truly the phrase 'one in a million' was made for him.
It took me a long time to believe that he was only sixteen/seventeen - i thought no way could a 'kid' write like he does about the topics like he did. Awesome intellect. The world missed out on a talent - idealistic to the extent that he may not have become cynical in his later years.
Okay so he was a wit par excellence but what really stood out for me - iirc was a thread discussing the EDL leader being punched, amongst all the other replies to that topic, his was the first to suggest that violence is never the answer - that cemented it for me - harakaat was something else - if there is a heaven he should be in it.
Did he not have his first drink whilst on this board (iirc)- that was fun.
I did read most if not all of his posts made after i joined and harakaat did send a PM about a topic under discussion, namely Identity and with hindsight wish I could have corresponded with him more about it but at that time I did not feel that I could impart upon him any advise that he would not have known already.
I don't know if this is suitable but at the time of his passing whenever the Katy Perry song 'Firework' came on the radio - my mind then and now somehow associates that tune with Harakaat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw