JAMAICA, New York (September 12, 2008) – Tears flowed from the eyes of thousands of followers of Imam W.D. Muhammed as they were led in the funeral prayer by Imam Abdul Hameed Dogar, a very close friend of the late Imam. About five thousand men, women and children lined up in the open grounds next to the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park, IL. Some drove all the way from Georgia and Mississippi, and some flew from as far as San Diego, California. It was a funeral service of a man who was dearly loved by his followers. There was peace and calm as frequent sounds of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest) filled the air confirming the commitment of the Imam’s followers. Commitment to continue pursuing the path of salvation by seeking the pleasure of Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala.
The Ameer of ICNA, Dr. Khurshid Khan, lead the delegation of ICNA at the funeral service. He was joined by the Secreteray General, Naeem Baig, Dr. Zahid Bukhari, Mahmood Khan, Ikram Hussain and many more. Dr. Khan offered his condolences to the members of the Imam’s family and friends. He had been very close to Imam W.D. Muhammed and was invited by the Imam to speak at the National Convention, which was held on Labor Day weekend.
There were many other Muslim scholars and leaders present at the funeral; among them were Professor Sulayman Nyang, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Imam Zaid Shakir, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqui, Nihad Awad, Imam Talib Abdur Rasheed, Altaf Hussain, Imam Qasim Khan, Imam Abdul Malik and Dr. Sherman Jackson.
Sheikh Abdool Rahman Khan, the Director of Religious Services at Islamic Foundation, managed the whole ceremony and kept reminding the believers by reciting verses from the Quran and asking the gathering to remember Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, and to make dua for the Imam, who passed away in this beautiful month of Ramadhan.
We pray to Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, to forgive Imam W.D. Muhammed, to have Mercy upon him and to enter him into Paradise. We pray that Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, give sabr and patience to the family and friends of Imam Muhammed. Ameen.
