(New York, Feb. 4, 2019) – Umar AbdulAziz, a senior ICNA Member of the General Assembly from Brooklyn, New York, passed away in Islamabad, Pakistan, last Saturday due to illness.
The late AbdulAziz, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him, emigrated to New York in 1984 from Pakistan. He held a bachelor’s degree in commerce.
He had a gracious personality and would participate in ICNA programs with passion. As always, he had attended the Annual ICNA General Assembly meeting in Houston last month.
He became the face of ICNA in Brooklyn where he ran an Islamic bookstore. He was an active promoter of Islamic journals from the sub-continent and was the first volunteer at ICNA Headquarters, after its establishment in the mid 80’s. He would visit mosques, and have meetings with centers and individuals all day long. He was always the go-to person in the area for new immigrants who needed help in looking for jobs, housing etc. He would walk or take public transport even during the extreme weather of New York.
Despite increasing illness and physical inability, his activism continued. As recently as 2017, he worked hard for the establishment of an ICNA Relief Food Pantry in Brooklyn.
He always strove for his mission as a mountain of stability and a torch for the righteous.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and grandchildren.
