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Online prayers, and tribute to Mohammad Rafiq
1-26-2021
In the memory of Mohammad Rafiq - A Zoom Call to pray, and give honors to the passing.
January 10, 2021, Vancouver, BC –
A Zoom Call to pray, and give honors to the passing of Rafiq Mohammad. The session was the hosted by Mahwish Yousaf, the director of Iqbal Academy BC to remember a British Columbia's community legend Mohammad Rafiq Sahib.
Mohammad Rafiq was founder of Iqbal Academy BC and many other projects related to youth empowerment, Urdu language, peace and unity. He was known in the community for his love, laughter, generosity and warm presence.
The session started with recitation, and then everyone shared personal stories about their time with Mohammad Rafiq.
The British Columbia based Iqbal Academy members, leaders of other Pakistani organizations, and community members gathered to pay honors to Mohammad Rafiq. Mohammad Rafiq son Mohkam Rafiq attended the session and shared details about his father.
Tahir Aslam started the session by reciting Fateha, and other verses. Naseer Pirzada ended the session by offering prayers for him, his family and the rest of the community.
My father had a big impact on the community. He shared his love for music, culture and poetry, and Iqbal teachings. Rafiq Sahib video chatted and stayed connected with his family during covid. Mohkam Rafiq ( his son) stated.
He was a mentor and a teacher to me and everyone. He was one person I knew closely who never segregated religion or ethnicity. He never prejudiced anyone based on sect, religion, culture or ethnicity. Shamim Akbar stated.
He offered love to everyone without prejudice. He brought me to the Canada Urdu Association. He left the city sad after his departure. Shahzad Nazir Khan stated.
He always gave me respect. He used to find potential in people. He brought me to Canada Urdu Association and encouraged me to learn poetry. Huma Shoaib stated.
Everyone was equal for him. Malik Arfan stated.
I learned Iqbaliat from him and he was a kind soul. Mohammad Rafi stated
I feel that one of my family member passed away. He added me to Iqbal academy and assigned social media tasks. He brought handmade kites to the picnic the kids can experience Pakistani kite flying. Nayyar Sohail stated
He supported me tremendously when I joined the community. His mission was to engage youth so they can learn from iqbal teachings. He was the founding member of Global Peace Society and helped define its mission. We should strive to continue his mission. Mahwish Yousaf stated.
He made a huge difference in community growth and unity. He was in love with Urdu language and he put in a lot of effort to promote Urdu in British Columbia. Naveed Warraich stated
He was a best friend. He encouraged me to write in Miracle News. He was always very friendly and generous. His departure made me very sad. We should strive to take his mission forward. Aslam Hayat stated
He offered support to me and my daughter at every step as a new immigrant. I feel honored to present photographs and artifacts at Punjabi Museum through his support. Community has become orphan due to his passing. Sadaf Zulfiqar stated
It was always an immense pleasure to meet him. He was a brother, father, friend, and confidant. He had the magical touch to make everyone happy. Shaukat Khan stated
He always stated good things about others instead of his own. He will be writing an article in Miracle News for him. He was not just a person, he was a party ( anjuman ) on his own. Gilani sahib stated
Passing of Mohammad Rafiq made me very sad. He used to provide Urdu translation for people who could not afford it. He brought me to Iqbal Academy. Asad Syed stated
He always brought all communities together and welcomed me to all Pakistani programs and groups.
I invited him to a fundraiser and he was the first one to join. Sukhi Dhillon stated
He was followed by a lot of people due to his warm personality; All his programs were very beautiful and professional. Haroon Khan stated.
I have never seen a wonderful and beautiful human like him anywhere. He used to come first for my mushaira and waited for the rest of the people. I was a new immigrant and he introduced himself to us by seeing a Pakistani board infront of our shop. Afshin Ijaz stated
He was his neighbor and helped me a lot. He translated my stories for Miracle News and taught me how to speak on TV. Intikhab Alam stated
He always encouraged people and he lived a full life. He did a lot of work for the promotion of Urdu and he didn’t make any mistake in his work. He found the gaps in our community work and pin pointed the where we are lacking. Tarik Kiani stated
He was Iqbal fan and very passionate about sharing his poetry. Maqbool sahib stated
I grew up with him and he never mentioned anything bad about anyone. He used to stop others to backbite, especially when the person was not present to defend himself. He was a guiding light for everyone. Mino auntie stated
He knew me for 19 years and helped grow miracle through from the start. He encouraged senior writers to write for miracle. He used to tell others to help vulnerable people in the community. Naseer Pirzada stated
Our thoughts and prayers are with all close and extended family members.
Iqbal Academy BC is a British Columbia based education organization dedicated to improve self & empower community through Iqbal’s Ideology. And to initiate & formalize an understanding of Iqbaliat for Personal & Community development.
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DETAILS
WHAT: Online Memorial Tribute
WHEN: Sunday, January 10, 2021, 12.00 PM PST
WHERE: Zoom Online
MEDIA CONTACT: Mahwish Yousaf
SPEAKERS:
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Mahwish Yousaf
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Shahzad Nazir Khan
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Shamim Akbar
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Shaukat Khan
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Haroon Khan
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Naseer Pirzada
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Naveed Warraich
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Tarik Kiani
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Intikhab Alam
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Maqbool Sahib
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Huma Shoaib
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Sadaf Zulfiqar
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Mohammad Rafi
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Sukhi Dhillon
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Mino Auntie
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Gilani Sahib
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Afshin Ijaz
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Naseer Peerzada
Footnotes:
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