A Tribute to My Beloved Father

My beloved father, Janaab Marhoom Syed Mahmood  Talib Khundmiri, you will always be the most important role model in my life.  You were my mentor, my friend, and my most ardent supporter. Life without you will be challenging.  You were the foundation of pillars that built my hopes, my strength and fueled the drive inside me to strive for success.  Your keen understanding of life made me realize that you were not only highly educated academically, but wise in a myriad of disciplines.  Mash’Allah, your achievements are so profound and timeless that many of our time will fall short in meeting your contributions.  You were a successful, humble and generous man with the kindest of heart.  I am blessed to have had such an ideal man as my father.

You were a great father, a humanitarian, a versatile poet, a gifted artist and an extraordinary architect.  You have designed many commercial buildings, houses, hospitals, schools, and masjids. You amazed us with your architectural work in designing outstanding masjids throughout the world.  You melted many hearts through your poems, “Ibleez Ka Eteraaf”, ” Screw”, “Cell Phone” , “Architect Ghalib” and others.  Behind each word was a message and behind each message, a lesson.  Your sense of humor always lifted our spirits and spread joy and happiness throughout the crowds.  I remember vividly how everyone, young and old alike, would anxiously wait to hear you.  You were the shining star of every Mehfil.

You taught us how to live a modest lifestyle, build strong relationships, no matter rich or poor, young or old, religion or status; you yourself treated everyone with equal respect and love, from which we learned.  Whatever you did, you did well.  Your success never drifted you away from your religion or family.  You were an obedient son, a responsible father, a loving husband and a true Muslim. You continuously praised Allah Subhana Wa Tala through your poetry. 

“Tera zikr mera libaas ho,tu hamesha mere hi paas ho, Na toh koi aur hi sonch de,na toh aur koi khayal de”.  Dua-e-siyah

You served Allah Subhana Wa Tala with your heart and soul.  You designed hundreds of masjids in His name and for His sake, never profiting in His cause.  You were a chosen Muslim, I am sure you are enjoying the fruits of Jannah.   I’m truly blessed to be the daughter of someone as remarkable as you.

It is true that death is appointed for all of us but the sudden news spun my world upside down.   My heart is still not willing to except the bitter fact that you will no longer be a phone call away to guide me.

Abbu, you were in a hurry for Allah Subhna’Tala’s  deedar that you didn’t even give me a chance to hug you tightly or thank you for your unconditional love.   I wish I could turn back time so I could lay my head on your chest like a baby and express my love and respect for you.  I wish I could ask for forgiveness for my actions and attitude if they were not approving to you.  You didn’t even give me a chance to serve you.  You have left us a legacy that we will carry on, Insha’allah.   I pray to Allah (SWT) to hold me steady so that I may raise my kids to follow in your footsteps and carry your legacy for generations, Ameen.

I experience a piercing pain in my chest when I talk about you in the past tense.  In my mind, I still believe you are among us, not physically but spiritually in our hearts you live.  Your departure is not only an enormous loss for us but also a great loss for the entire Muslim and Urdu community.  May Allah (SWT) grant you the highest place in Jannah and bless you with His deedar, Ameen.  

Everyone dies, but not everyone lives. Thanks for showing us how to live. I will be missing you more than any words can express.  I love you!!

Your Daughter,  Afreen Khundmiri

Hope

My name is Afreen and I’m an artist from Atlanta. I self-taught watching my dad paint when I was a child. I make mostly Arabic calligraphies though I can’t read or speak the language.  I donate my paintings to social fundraisers and also sell my work to raise funds for surgeries and medicine for the underprivileged.  Serving others heals the emptiness created after my father passing. Serving others is also a privilege not everyone gets and I am humbled by the Glory of God for His miracles and life lessons as well as for my network of friends, family and all who have contributed to my efforts, our efforts.

I speak with patients and their families almost everyday and one thing is common, they all have Hope. They may not have money, a strong support network or even a fair chance to defend against the social stigmas of their financial or health conditions, but they remain hopeful.  Hope is not exclusive to a religion, cast, race or geography. In theory, Hope does not discriminate, but the irony is that Hope is discriminated against, everywhere, even here in the U.S.

We have had our own set of challenges lately with each new day lowering the moral standards we hold so dear.  I wanted to capture Hope through a woman.  The woman in all of us, strong, faithful, loving, humble, proud and self-reflecting.  The sunflower on her head symbolizes radiance, warmth, loyalty, longevity, and power.  With her head in prostration towards her Creator, she counts her blessings while running her fingers through the worry-bead necklace.

She is praying for her child to be safe. She is praying for her child to have a better tomorrow. She is praying for her child to outlive her.

Meet Hope!