TORONTO – Maulana Naseem Mahdi, pillar of the Ahmadi community and a great supporter of integration, in Woodbridge and beyond, passed away. Last Friday, in the Bai`tul Islam Mosque (in the pic above) in Jane, on Teston Road, the public funeral took place in the presence of many people, including Corriere Canadese’s publisher Joe Volpe.  

As his community explains,  “As President and Missionary In Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada, Respected Maulana Naseem Mahdi left an indelible mark on Canadian Society”.

“He arrived in Canada in May 1985 as head of our Canada Jama`at, which at that time was a small community with members living across Canada. As continued persecution of Ahmadis re-ignited in Pakistan in the early 80’s, many more Ahmadis began heading to Canada to make this their home”.

“As a religious and administrative head of a religious community, he worked tirelessly to settle thousands of Ahmadi refugees in Canada. Today there are thousands of families with memories of how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community helped them in their greatest hour of need”.

“Respected Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib (in the pic above) was a special person to so many. He had this wonderful ability to be a caring and loving Mubaligh, an Imam, a teacher, an administrator extraordinaire, a father, a brother, a friend, an inspiration and a motivator to so many Ahmadis here in Canada and across the world. He had a special one on one relationship with so many and always wore a smile regardless of the responsibilities he undertook. He was adored and respected by so many and his impressions on us will always be with us”.

“As a champion of interfaith harmony, Respected Mahdi Sahib reached all corners of Canada to convey the message of peace and the peaceful teachings of Islam. Under his leadership, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community became the organizer of the oldest and largest World Religions Conference in Canada”.

“Respected Maulana Mahdi Sahib believed in establishing a community that helped others. Volunteer work and service to humanity is a hallmark of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Thus, he supported food banks, charity walks, New Year’s clean up, and Blood Drives — which are but a few of the initiatives he oversaw and started in Canada”.

“As we see today, affordable housing was in crises over three decades ago. Respected Maulana Mahdi Sahib was instrumental in establishing the Ahmadiyya Abode of Peace, an affordable housing project that each year helps hundreds of families live a life of dignity. So many people started their lives in Canada through the services of the Ahmadiyya Abode of Peace”.

“For decades members in Canada prayed at locations which brought them together but were not ideal for religious worship. The Baitul Islam mosque was a dream fulfilled. Respected Mahdi Sahib traveled across Canada to raise funds for the project that at opening in 1992 was an architectural marvel and the largest mosque in Canada”.

“Places of worship thrive on congregations. The visionary project of the Peace Village housing complex next to Baitul Islam Mosque brought thousands of Ahmadis to a walking distance of a mosque where they can again pray 5 times a day easily. This here today was Canada’s first Islamic-based living community”.

“As the community grew more projects were needed. Work commenced on the Baitul Nur Mosque complex in Calgary that remains the largest mosque in Canada. It was followed by Baitur Rahman mosque in Delta BC followed by other iconic mosques of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada where he was instrumental in initiating mosque builds and purchases”.

“A proud Canadian, Respected Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib followed Canadian Values that were based on his religious conviction. For example, when the nation watched in horror the events of September 11, Mr. Mahdi reached out with the offering of thousands of pints of blood from the Ahmadiyya Community. As we are told in Islam, he reminded all Canadian Muslims of the commandment of the Holy Prophet (saw), which says “love of your country is part of your faith”. This hadith was further etched into memory into every Ahmadi in Canada”.

“He was the first person many politicians and Canadian leaders called to understand the Islamic history & teachings as the news of horrific 9/11 attacks travelled the globe”.

“This was not a coincidence. Respected Naseem Mahdi had a personal relationship with community and political leaders at every level of government. Councillors, Mayors, Members of Legislative Assemblies & Parliaments, Premiers and Prime Ministers knew him personally as a friend, a Muslim, and representative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Canada”.

“He was loved and respected by everyone he met. Many youth that he counselled; now parents themselves, fondly remember his guidance and life lessons. His many awards and Order of Ontario is testament to the love he received from Canadians”.

“With his extremely busy schedule and vast responsibilities, he found the most joy in being a loving husband to both his late wife and his present wife and a loving father who enjoyed spending time and being with his children whenever he could. He was very proud of his children”.

“Despite all the accolades, I knew Respected Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib as a humble person”.

“As a life devotee, his only desire was to serve humanity as an Ahmadi Muslim Missionary. His greatest honour was to serve Khalifatul Masih. He was blessed with serving three heads of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. That he considered as his greatest honour!”.

“May Allah bless his soul and raise his station in paradise. Ameen!”.