Memories of Dr. Fakhri

Memories of Dr. Fakhri

from Br Abdul Ghani Desai

Personally, I think that Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri was a visionary

Assalamu-alaikum,

Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri sahib, an Educator and Poet came to USA, as an Education Attaché at the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.  He came to Chicago in a car from the Washington DC, driven by Dr Latif, a Professor at the Eastern Illinois University.

He settled in Chicago.  Later, Dr Fakhri sahib, joined with other Muslims from the Chicago Area and established Muslim Community Center of Chicago.  He is a founding member and served as a first President of our beloved MCC.

Today, a man of great distinction and dignity departs and leaves an entire Muslim community of the faithful in grief, not only in MCC or the Chicago land, but entire USA.  Without a question Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri sahib was a man of destiny.

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un.  May Allah (swt) rest his soul in peace, forgive him for any shortcomings, give him a place in Jannat-ul-Firdaus and give Sabr-e-Jameel to his loved ones, families, relatives, friends and Muslim community at large to help cope with this great loss.  Ameen.

Please pray for Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri sahib and keep him and his family in Dua’a.

JazakAllahu Khayran

Ghani

PS:  In early 1980s ISNA (former MSA) wanted to buy an empty building with big lot of Old Irving Park elementary Chicago public school in my neighborhood.  Dr Ismail sahib the principal in Chicago school was leading the project.  There was a meeting with concerned residents, St. Viator Catholic church/school, Chicago Public School officials and Chicago politicians, only a block from my house.  Dr. Fakhri sahib was there to represent, discuss and to answer the questions to concerned residents, St. Viator Catholic church/school, Chicago Public School officials and Chicago politicians.  It was Ramadan and meeting was scheduled around Maghrib time.  So, we made arraignment for Iftar and prayer at my house.  He came to my house with others, lead Maghrib prayer, had Iftar and then good time with healthy discussions.  I still remember his skill to communicate with others, his intelligence, his great knowledge in worldly education and as well as in Islam.  He was very friendly and down to earth.

The school was a perfect location for Muslim students, including mine and my brother’s children.  It was couple of blocks from the Kennedy Expressway, CTA train and bus, only 7 blocks from the MCC and 3 blocks from our house.  Unfortunately, Chicago Public School backed off and used empty school building for temporary schooling for over crowded public schools.  Today, that school is a Disney II Elementary Magnet School because the demand of well to do yuppies with children who are settling in our neighborhood since last 20 years.
Personally, I think that Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri was a visionary who can envision the future, means was ahead of his tim e in realizing the importance of the Education for Muslims and their children.  It was a great pleasure and honor to have Dr .Fakhri sahib in our house.  A good memory to cherish.