Biography of
our Father
May Allah have mercy on his soul
Early Life and Family Background
Our beloved father Haji Bashir Ahmed was born 1930 in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, in India. This was before the partition of Pakistan and India of 1947. He was the youngest of 5 siblings and at early age, he found himself an orphan.
When he was approximately 6 months old his Mother passed away, a few years later his Father passed away leaving him and his siblings in the care of their grandmother and maternal aunt. Tragedy struck again, first they lost their maternal aunt and then their grandmother. Our Father and his siblings were then split between 2 maternal uncles.
The Partition of 1947 and Life as a Refugee
The war of 1947 occurred and Pakistan and India were split meaning that our father and his family had to flee their home and travel to Pakistan. They initially survived the trials and tribulations of the jungle and persecution and arrived at a refugee camp in Mansar. They lived here for approximately 5 years, having no belongings but their memories of their past life. Shortly after the partition our Father was enrolled into the Pakistan Army. While in the Army his family moved to a Sangral in Rawalpindi. During 1953 our father married and set up home. He had his first born in 1958 and then a second daughter in 1965.
Due to ill health he was sent home from the Army with board pension in 1959 and in 1960 he moved to Mangla Dam, Mirpur Azad Kashmir to work as a caterpillar driver working on the infrastructure of the dam and nearby roads.
A New Life in England
7 July 1965 our father was given the opportunity to work in England, his cousin whose house he grew up in had moved to England and managed to get a sponsorship for our father to work in the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent. Tragedy struck again, his wife passed away leaving his 2 daughters in the care of their grandfather in 1966. Our father had the difficult decision to make, he was persuaded to remain in England and build a better life for his daughters.
Our father returned home to see his daughters and to re-marry, he re married and bought his family to Stoke-on-Trent, England in 1971. The family settled in a shared home with his cousin and his family. They worked together and built a family home. Our father had his first born boy but unfortunately he would pass away after approximately 10 hours. Our father continued to work and by 1984 he had 4 boys and his own family home.
Community Building, Leadership & Retirement
As a first generation Pakistani in Stoke-on-Trent our father alongside his friends and family were instrumental in setting up the infrastructure we know today. They set up Halal butchers, grocery stores and the very first masjid in Stoke-on-Trent. Our father hosted many community meetings in his home. Our father was a hands on man who went and collected donations for the masjid property and also carried out the general maintenance in the masjid.
In 1994 our father had multiple heart attacks which ultimately lead to his retirement from work. He remained an active member of the Masjid Trustee and saw his community grow and prosper. He was a loved man not only in his family but his community, he was a loving grandfather who was respected greatly in the community, a True Community Leader.
A Legacy of Faith and Generosity
The many challenges he faced in his life and his faith inspired him to always look out for the poor, the orphans and the most vulnerable. Throughout his life he never forgot his roots and always gave back.
On 3 March 2016 our fathers temporary stay on this earth came to an end. It is very hard to put into words the life story of our father! Today we continue his good work through his foundation.
Why We Set Up This Foundation
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sa) (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity (sadaqah jaariyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous son who will pray for him.” Narrated by Muslim (1631).