PETALING JAYA: Messages of condolences have been pouring in from Malaysians for celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ebit Lew whose father, Ibrahim Lew, had passed away on Tuesday evening (July 13).

       Facebook user Yew Chong shared that his late father had passed away six years ago but he did not manage to see him for the final time as he was overseas.

       “I see that you have been taking care of your father so well even though you were always busy with helping other people.

       “I hope that you will always remain strong against all the future life challenges and may your father’s soul be at peace in the next world,” he wrote.

       Linda Capel wrote, “Our condolences to you Ustaz and family on the passing of your beloved father. Rest assured he is with our creator. May his soul rest in peace.”

       Haniff Khatri wrote, “May your father be placed among those who are successful there. Be strong, brother Ebit Lew.”

       Rieta Rosli Yatim wrote, “Condolences for Ustaz and family. May your late father’s soul be placed among the righteous ones.”

       The comments were among the 230,000 left behind by Lew’s followers on Facebook, with the post garnering over 634,000 reactions as of Tuesday night.

       Earlier, Lew had posted that he was on the way to Gleneagles Hospital to take his late father’s remains for the last rites at Masjid Bandar Baru Ampang before heading to Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

       “My beloved father had just passed away. Dear God, this test feels really heavy. I love you, father. You go first, I will be there in the future. Dear God, please forgive my father. Love him, bless him, grant him the highest of heavens.

       “Dear God, unite him with my mother there. Place them together. Dear God, he has been a great father. Thank you for lending him to my family,” wrote Lew in a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of him holding his father’s hand.

       On July 6, Lew had shared that his father was suffering from the last stage of stomach cancer.

       Lew is known for his charitable deeds and humanitarian work all over Malaysia as well as overseas with his most recent mission being in Palestine and South Africa.

       He also started a chain of outlets called Elews Mart, which offers household essentials at rock-bottom prices to help those in need.