Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 27, 2020 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
Religious, community and business leaders and worshippers offered messages of sympathy on the passing of Haji Zakir of Canal Number 2. He is remembered for spreading Islam in New York. Haji, as he was popularly called, died at a nursing home in Queens at age 86.
Haji made a significant and lasting contribution to institutionalizing Islam in NY. He was a pioneer establishing (Guyanese and Trini) Islam in NY living among both communities, who in the early years of migration lived in mid and lower Manhattan (Clarks Apartments) before settling in Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn. He also lived in New Jersey where he presided over several Islamic events.
Haji was a very influential Imam (Mulvi, Meiji) not only to his flock but also to political leaders. He delivered prayers at several functions hosted by American politicians and community organizations. He was always properly and immaculately dressed in traditional attire. He led the sermons for every Eid celebration and Koran Sharief for almost five decades.
Zakir got along with everyone regardless of faith and who rejected radical preaching as well as those who preached or practiced radicalism (and there are a few Guyanese who support extremism). He reminded Indian Muslims that they all originated from Hindus; Zakir’s maternal grandmother was a devout Hindu.
On West Bank Demerara, Haji was a school teacher. And he also taught briefly in Siparia, Trinidad before migrating to NY in 1968 to further his education. Like several other Guyanese, Haji foresaw trouble in Guyana right after independence in 1966. British people he knew predicted trouble in Guyana and advised him to leave. So Haji opted for immigration first to Trinidad and then to America. This was a period when Guyanese began to look for greener pastures migrating to UK and the US to pursue higher education.
In NY, Zakir paved the way for Islam to be practiced and accepted. He pioneered Islamic celebrations since the 1970s in apartments and hotel rooms. He rented auditoriums of schools in Manhattan and Queens to host Eid celebrations in the 1980s. As they did in the Caribbean, Hindus and Muslims lived in harmony and assisted each other when they first came to America. Zakir delivered personal invitations to many Hindus to patronize Islamic events. I saw pandits at his celebrations. I attended a few. He welcomed Muslims and non-Muslims like me. And I saw Zakir at several Hindu events and shared the platform with him.
He was very courteous. He never passed me without saying hello. He applauded my writings in service to the Indo-Caribbean community in pioneering journalism. He would praise me for coverage of his programmes in the community newspapers going back to the early 1980s when we first met. He also praised my work championing the restoration of democracy in Guyana.
Zakir was broad-minded and humble in his treatment of others. Thus, he touched the hearts of not only Muslims but people of all faiths. Some of his closest friends were Hindus like Pandit Oumadatt, Pandit Ramlall, Ramesh Kalicharran, Clyfee Madhu, Bal Naipaul, among others. And some Hindus comforted and cared for him in his final days including Pandit Jass Persaud who took him around to social or religious events, lectures, and book launches pertaining to Guyana.
He knew some Hindi, Arabic, and Urdu and used them to spread the faith. He encouraged Muslims to learn Arabic and Urdu. He helped trained several Muslims to become Imams or Mulvis. Although a Muslim cleric, he saw nothing wrong in partaking in entertainment and listening to music. He attended Indian cultural concerts and movies that were scarce during the 1960s and 1970s. He enjoyed old time classic Bollywood songs and qawalis and ghazals and movies.
Not everyone was a fan of Haji, and not every mulvi had kind words for him especially in later years. But I know of no one who has promoted Islam more in America than Zakir.
He appeared on radio and TV programmes and for a few years was a regular feature on the Clyfee Madhu radio programme during the 1980s and 1990s. He used the programme to publicize raising of funds to build the first Masjid in NY. Several Hindus, including Kali (who contributed thousands of dollars) from the real estate and professional fraternity came forward to contribute to the worthy cause. Unlike some imams, he welcomed Hindus in his Masjid and allowed
them to deliver greetings for Islamic celebrations. He attended Phagwah celebrations and visited mandirs to give greetings on Phagwah, Diwali, Navratri, and other Hindu festivals. Perhaps his closeness with Hindus offended some mulvis.
Many Hindus also comforted him as he was ailing. He was very close with Pandit Jass Persaud and spent considerable time with him. Jass often provided meals for him and would transport him to social events and lectures on Guyana or to book releases.
In an exchange, Haji expressed his sadness of the conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. He wished for peace between India and Pakistan; he could not understand why brothers were fighting each other and suggested that they look to Indo-Caribbeans who live in harmony regardless of religious background.
At one time, he felt compelled to attend events in support of then President Desmond Hoyte that led to criticisms from the Indo-Guyanese community.
But later, Haji became a strong supporter of Dr. Jagan. He supported free and fair elections. He was saddened by the attempt to rig the March 2 elections. He said the riggers were up to no good and should never be trusted.Islam in NY prospered under the leadership of Zakir and others.
He distinguished his stewardship of Islam. The legacy of his good works has been cemented. Haji lived a full life.
He will forever be remembered for his Islamic qualities, camaraderie and ability to get along with people regardless of faith.
Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram
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