Al-Fatihah for his soul!

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un

Salat ul Janaza will held on Sat, Dec – 5th – 2015 after Zuhr prayer at ICCI

At: Islamic Community Center of Illinois (ICCI)

Zuhr Iqama: 1:00pm – CST

Address: 6435 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

Phone: (773) 637-3755

Dr. Ahmad Sakr returns to his Lord

by Dr. Tasneema Ghazi
Executive Director,
IQRA’ International Education Foundation

It is with heavy-heart and tear-filled eyes that the IQRA’ team has to relay the news of the passing of our beloved friend and longtime associate, Dr. Ahmad Sakr. So many beautiful memories of Dr. Sakr and his family pass through my eyes as I think of his time with us as well as the important and inspirational role he played in the founding of many Islamic institutions and centers, such as the first Islamic college in the United States, the American Islamic College of Chicago, the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council, and the Muslim Students Association. In fact, his academic background in nutritional health compelled him to write the first guide to Halal and Haram food products in America, a very valuable tool in those days when the Muslim community was still quite small. The guide was kept close by Muslims making a trip to the grocery stores.

Dr. Sakr’s selfless and continuous travels in establishing Islamic centers, Islamic schools and Da’wah institutes had always impressed me, all the more so since we often ran in to each other at different airports around the nation and Canada. He was regularly invited to help fundraise for different community projects and he did so without compensation. He happily accepted his role in serving communities around the country and beyond.

Dr. Sakr was so involved in offering his sage advice and guidance to individuals facing personal problems, be the Muslim or non-Muslim. Often people would call him about their personal and family problems. I remember the telephone in his Chicago home constantly ringing and Dr. Sakr once having two different phones in his hands trying to comfort two different individuals!

Dr. Sakr’s wife and companion, Mrs. Zuhar Sakr, and children have supported him through the years in his great work. May Allah bless them all!
Once during Fifth International Islamic Education Conference in South Africa many elders of the community mentioned Dr. Sakr as being the inspiration behind all of their work in community building. This is how far-reaching his influence was. He was a man who motivated young Muslims around the world to help build their community.
All of us at IQRA’ are going to miss him dearly. We pray that Allah grant him the highest station in Jannah and give patience to our Sister Zuhar and their family to endure this loss.

“Few hearts are selected to love This song cannot be played on every instrument”

Such was the heart of dear brother, Ahmad Sakr – very special and very generous.

– Letter from Dr Ahmad Sakr to IQRA’

If you would like to share your memories of Dr. Fakhri Click Here to leave a comment on our blog or read the wonderful tributes others have shared.

on the Loss of their Dear Friend and Colleague

Dear Abba,

Salaam.  Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. I wanted to express my condolences to you at the loss of such a dear friend, colleague and collaborator.  I have so many memories of Uncle Fakhry’s kindness, enthusiasm and support for my spiritual and intellectual endeavors, and I always felt glad to know that he was there as a supporter, administrator and steward of your shared aspirations for IQRA.  I was deeply moved that you called me yesterday, the very day of his passing, to share the  news and your experience with him.

I am grateful that you were at his side, that he was lucid, and that you shared those precious words of tawhid in the last precious moments of his life.  To have been with Mehry, Babajoon Azarm and recently my beloved Laura, praying in the barzakh between the worlds has been a cherished experience for me. May we all leave in serenity and with our loved ones whispering and witnessing by our sides.

Please express my hearfelt love and duaen to Auntie, Nabeela, Daisy, Javed and the grandchildren.  He was a monumental figure and loving family man.  May they find comfort in knowing that one day inshallah in that place where all our conversing will be rich in the plenitude of authentic connection.

Seemi

From Dr. Shahid Siddiqui

(Member of IQRA’ Executive Board, Fund Raising Committee)

Salamua likum Wa Rehmatullaah

Passing away of Dr. Abdul Waheed Fakhri is a great loss to the Muslim Community. Inna Lillahe wa Inna-Ilehe Rajeoon.

He was a man of great integrity,  honesty and a kind of caring and compassionate personality that was hard to miss. I have had the privilege of working with him at the Iqra as a board of directors that he chaired and soon discovered the ‘Muttaqi’ he was.

Iqra has lost a true leader and we hope that his legacy will continue.  May Allah provide ‘Maghfirah’ and a place for him in Jannatul- Firdaus.

I think we should also celebrate his legacy as a pioneer of education in Chicago Land, and start a scholarship fund, or endowed chair to honor his work. The community has to build on the work of such sincere pioneers.

Shahid Siddiqui, Ph.D.

Dr Abdul Waheed Fakhri passed away.

~ Urdu Times ~  Bureau Report Pakistan Abroad ~

Pakistan Abroad and Urdu Times is Praying for him that

“May Allah accept him. May he forgive his shortcoming and put him in the best place possible. Ameen”

With great sorrow and deep sadness it is announced that Dr Abdul Wahid Fakhri one of the founding figures of IQRA International Educational Foundation Passed away on February 21^st. Dr. Fakhri was one the most prominent Muslim educators of North America and played a pivotal role in establishing, community centers, educational institutions, conducting teacher’s training, offer consultations without ever asking remuneration or favor.

Dr. Abidullah Ghazi Executive Director of IQRA’ expressed his deepest sorrow for losing as he put it, ‘my dear friend, guide and philosopher. Dr. Ghazi said, ” The loss of Dr. Fakhri would be felt far and wide and within United States there are hundreds of people who would describe their intimate relations and tell stories of his services to the community.

Dr. Ghazi was fortunately with him two nights ago as his last journey began, he says Dr. Fakhri was composed, reconciled and at peace as if waiting for the moment. He with the help of Dr. Ghazi continued to make Zikr and listen to the Qur’an. He was mostly unconscious during the last weeks but last week he woke up and called Maulana Abdullah Saleem and asked him, “Is today first of Ramadan.” Maulana was surprised by his call as he knew he had been unconscious for weeks. Maulana replied, “We are in Rabi al-Awwal now.” “But I have made the intention of the Ramdan Fast.” Said Dr. Fakhri. Maulana congratulated him saying, “MashaAllah, May Allah accept it.” Dr. Ghazi heard this episode from Maulana, knowing Dr. Fakhri’s special enthusiasm for Ramadan, and remarked “It was the beginning of sacred journey of Dr. Fakhri to the timeless zone where there are blessings of Ramadan forever.”

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Waheed Fakhri Was born into a religiously observant family from Jalandhar, East Punjab. He received his higher education in Pakistan (Punjab University) and in the USA (University of Michigan), where he combined in his character deep personal piety, professional skill, and excellence of scholarship, traits which he continued to display to the very end of his life. He worked as a professor of curriculum and administration at the Chicago State University, and passed his rich experience to the community without demanding compensation or desiring recognition.

Dr. Fakhri was the founding president, chairman and member of many organizations which he directed to success, such as Muslim Community Center of Chicago, the Association of Muslim Social Scientists and theMadrasah Ta^clīm al-Islām, among many others. However, his most enduring contribution to the field of Islamic education comes through his leadership as the founding chairman of IQRA’ International Educational Foundation. IQRA’ completed its comprehensive program of Arabic and Islamic Studies and initiated many new projects while under his guidance, which are shaping the discipline of Islamic education worldwide.

The Board of Directors of IQRA’ International Educational Foundation, its staff, all of the Ansars of IQRA’and community at large would remember the contributions that Dr. Fakhri made to Islamic education. We pray that Allah will take into account the debt of gratitude of all of the young believers who benefitted from his tireless efforts and work. We also pray that he will receive the heartening intercession of the Prophet (S) whom he loved so dearly while among us. May Allah grant sabr to his wife, children and the family Ameen.

The janazah prayer held for Dr. Fakhri at the Islamic Foundation of Villa Park, February 23rd, 2011 at 12:30. His funeral will be prepared at the Albanian Center St Charles Road by Mufti Haroon Firdausi and Mufti Salman Firdausi, both Muftis knew him from infancy. He will be buried according to his own desire to be closest to Maulana Naeem sahib and Madrasa Talim ul-Islam of which, he was a founding member, in the graveyard across the Madrasah, Bluff City, Elgin.

We request that you recite Surah al-Fatihah for the soul of Dr. Muhammad Abdul Waheed Fakhri and remember him and his family in your dua .

Pakistan Abroad and Urdu Times is Praying for him that  May Allah accept him. May he forgive his shortcoming and put him in the best place possible. Ameen