Late Master Shamim Ahmad
Not like to include his photo
By: Azam Bhatti
It is with great sorrow the family of “Master” Shamim Ahmad or as many knew him “abaji” have announced his passing on January 27th, 2022. As was written by the BC Muslim Association “Master Shamim was a well-known pioneer of the Muslim community whose impact will carry on for generations to come. Master Shamim was originally from Delhi India, then migrated to Fiji before making Canada his home. He was the founder of the BC Muslim School in Richmond where he was also the principal, a teacher and bus driver among other deeds. In addition to being a long serving Khateeb at the West 8th Masjid in Vancouver, Master Shamim served and advocated for the aboriginal community in Mount Currie where he was the principal and a teacher at Ts’zil secondary school. Master Shamim continued his work after his retirement and founded the Muslim Education Welfare Foundation of Canada, Masjid Al-Huda and a printing press company that is dedicated to publishing Quran and Arabic books for adults and children (Arabic made easy for kids) as well as the islamization of secular curriculum for children from K-4. Beyond all that he did for both the Muslim and aboriginal communities he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment and devotion to his family. They were his inspiration and support for all his work and they will insha’allah continue his legacy.
May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannah.
Late Molana Abdul Latif Naumani
By: Naseer Pirzada
Maulana Abdul Latif Naumani was a well-known figure for community members from all walks of life. He passed away on January 28 and left his admirers and loved ones in mourning. He had been hospitalized since January 6th due to some health issues. During this time, the whole community was praying for his health and was hopeful that he would return home with all his heart and soul. However, Allah had other plans for him. He spent almost forty-four years of his life in religious and social services and then went to his last destination at the age of sixty-two.
Maulana Naumani was from Gojra District, Faisalabad, Pakistan. At the age of seventeen, he moved to Fiji. He continued to perform the duties of Khatib and Imam there for many years. He participated in the construction of a Jameah Mosque in Lautoka, Fiji. The people of Fiji still remember his great services of many years. Many of his students are now performing religious services all over the world and they all have a great respect for Maulana Naumani as well as great devotion to him. Such respect and devotion are bestowed on only few people.
Maulana Sahib visited British Columbia Vancouver in 1995 and opened Ayesha Islamic Center at Main Street, Vancouver, and then soon shifted his center to Surrey.
He founded the Fiji Islamic Center with a few friends in Surrey. Until the last moment, he continued to perform the duties of Imam and Khatib as well as teaching Nazra Qur’an and Quran memorization. Besides being a dynamic scholar, Khatib and Imam, he was a great social worker. He led the way in raising funds for every occasion. If there was fundraising for the mosques, he would have been the first to invite and encourage everyone by contributing his share first. Recently he raised 500, 000 Canadian Dollars for the construction of Masjid Aulia Allah Surrey. Earlier, he was prominent at fundraising events for Noor Masjid, Fiji Centre and others. Whether it was the opening of a restaurant or store, any personal event, Maulana Naumani accepted invitations to make dua. Maulana would not deny any happy occasion and would take time out of his busy schedule to spend time there. It was his greatness to take care of everyone and do it cheerfully.
The Miracle family has lost one of its pillars and great support. He has been a member of Miracle’s editorial board for 18 years. Whenever there was an issue, he would give his expert opinion. No words can describe his larger-than-life personality and his contributions to the community. A true religious scholar, a conscientious social worker and everyone’s beloved friend has passed away. May Allah forgive him and grant him the highest place in Jannah. Ameen
Late Liaqat Ali Bajwa
By: Bilal Cheema
August 10 1951 to February 6 2022
Liaqat Ali Bajwa was born on August 10 1951 in Malikwal Pakistan to father Late Ghulam Ali Bajwa and mother Late Shriffan Bibi Bajwa. Mr. Bajwa was second youngest of 8 children. Liaqat Ali Bajwa has 6 brothers, from oldest to youngest – Hafeez Ullah Bajwa, Late Najeeb Ullah Bajwa, Habib Ullah, Qamar Un-Nisa Cheema, Imtiaz Ali Bajwa, Mukhtar Ali Bajwa and Amjad Javed Bajwa. All siblings reside in the Lower Mainland with their respective families. The Bajwa/ Cheema families are one of the pioneer families among the Pakistani Diaspora of British Columbia.
Mr. Liaqat Ali Bajwa was an ardent student, receiving his Bachelor of Education from Government College in Lyallpur before attaining his Law degree from the Law College of Punjab University. Mr. Bajwa was drawn to social causes from a young age. Always advocating for better student experiences and resources, he sought and won the Presidency of the Student Union when attending Government College.
Following in the footsteps of his elder brothers and sister, Mr. Bajwa made the journey to Canada with his younger brother, Mr. Amjad Javed Bajwa in December of 1977 on the invitation of his brother Habib Ullah Bajwa. At that time, Mr. Habib Ullah Bajwa was well established in the Vancouver area and helped the two younger brothers find shelter and work. He worked a variety of jobs and slowly adjusted in Vancouver. It wasn’t very long before Liaqat Ali Bajwa was integrated within the Pakistani and Muslim communities of Vancouver. Mr. Bajwa returned to Pakistan to marry Mrs. Samara Ajmal in December 1982. Over the next number of years they welcomed three boys of their own to this world – Ammar Ali Bajwa (1983), Affan Ali Bajwa (1986) and Zohaib Ali Bajwa (1989). The family lived in Vancouver and Burnaby before settling in Surrey since the early nineties.
Mr. Liaqat Ali Bajwa was the single largest promoter of Pakistani culture and the arts through his efforts to bring Pakistani stage shows, singers and artists to Canada. He was always seeking out the top Pakistani artists to showcase across Canada. Through this work Mr. Bajwa became a household name within Pakistani and Indian communities across Canada. Showcasing Pakistani Talent and using the arts to bring people together was his passion.
Mr. Bajwa worked with some of the most popular Pakistani artists of all time, including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Junoon, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abrar Ul Haq to name a few. His first unique stage show in Canada was titled, “Paindu in Canada” starring Ali Ejaz, Sheba Hasan and Tariq Aziz. This show was very well received by the Pakistani Diaspora in Vancouver. Other Pakistani stars Mr. Bajwa toured through Canada included Malika Pukhraj, Tahira Syed, Sultan Rahi, Shoki Khan, Qavi Khan, Sohail Ahmed, Shujat Waseem, Naseebo Lal, Abida Parveen, Amjad Sabri, Massood Anwar and most recently Aftab Iqbal to name a few.
Mr Bajwa was the founder and Executive Producer of the Sohni Dharti Pakistan show that was featured on Metro Vancouver’s Shaw and Rogers Multicultural Channels. He ensured a good mix of blended programming, something for Canadian born diaspora as well as those longing for news and information from back home. The show was aired weekly. His goal was to keep a pulse on issues impacting and affecting the community. He remains the Executive Producer to this day. The show is now made available worldwide and watched by hundreds of thousands through a variety of mediums.
Mr. Bajwa also gave his time to his community, serving a number of times as President of the Pakistan Canada Association as well as serving in other executive capacities. He was active, always finding ways to bring people together, to celebrate the growth and achievements of the community. He loved being active. He also served on the Executive of the National Federation of Pakistani Canadians in Ottawa as Senior Vice-President from 1992 to 1994. In later years, he formed the Friends of Pakistan Association of Canada and promoted Pakistani history and culture through large events. He inspired people to give of their time and motivated the community to participate in social causes. While he lived in Canada, his heart never left Pakistan. Mr. Bajwa was also a lifelong trustee of the Al Jamia Masjid in Vancouver, the oldest Masjid in British Columbia.Over the last 15 years, Mr. Bajwa focused on building his family and supporting his children and family. He built a successful construction company while sending one of his sons to Law School and the other to Medical School. His oldest son Ammar helped build the family construction business under the name A1 Ideal Homes and Construction. Liaqat Ali Bajwa was a pioneer – helping to welcome newcomers to this community and opening his door to house strangers. He worked hard and smart to build a sense of community. He was a straight shooter; always telling it like it is. He had a heart of gold while lending a helping hand to those in need. Let alone say no, he sought out those to help out. The family came to know how far and wide his charity went as people would call to ask how he was doing and in the process come to know that he helped that family and so many others in their time of need without anyone else knowing. He was never one to seek out pictures, never one to speak in public, but always heard joking and laughing with friends and family alike. Liaqat Ali Bajwa was also the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in 2013. This medal is given to those who have made a significant contribution to Canadian society. Significant contribution is what Mr. Liaqat Ali Bajwa made. His loss is not just his large families, but a loss for the whole community, including the Indian community whom he worked with closely and maintained close links with. Mr. Bajwa is survived by his wife Samara, sons Ammar, Affan and Zohaib, daughter-in-laws Zainab, Asma and Merzieh, grandkids Easa, Noah and Liyana and his large loving family including brothers, sister, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and dozens of nephews and nieces on both sides of the family.
