Abdul Hoque Habib’s Funeral and Burial: A Different Kind of Feelings

Taysir Mahmud: 

On Monday 22 July 2024, we bid a final farewell to our dearest Habib Bhai at the Garden of Peace cemetery. Previously, whenever I attended someone’s burial, the days were marked by drizzling rain and severe cold. It was impossible to stand there for long. We had to quickly complete the burial and leave the cemetery.

However, today’s feeling was entirely different. It was a sunny day with mild weather. We participated in the burial ceremony for an extended period. I returned with a very good feeling. Many people came for the funeral and burial. Everyone had the same thing to say: “We lost a good person.” Such a person is rare in the community. Abdul Hoque Habib was a gentleman through and through, humble and amiable.

Even though almost half the day was spent in the funeral and burial, no one seemed to be in a hurry to return home. Abdul Hoque Habib seemed to hold people in his loving embrace even after his death.

Earlier, after the Zuhr prayer, the Janaza was held at the East London Mosque. Before the Janaza, from 11 am to 12:45 pm, Abdul Hoque Habib’s coffin was kept in the basement of the East London Mosque. People from various community levels came to see him for the last time. Seeing the familiar, lifeless face of Habib Bhai lying in the coffin, it seemed like a man was sleeping peacefully. His face was radiant. It felt like seeing the reflection of a person destined for heaven.

The funeral prayer was led by Maulana Hafiz Abu Sayeed, Chairman of the Shariah Council UK. After the prayer, when we came out in front of the Maryam Centre, I saw hundreds of people surrounding his coffin. People from various professions in the community rushed there. Everyone had the same regret, “Abdul Hoque Habib left so soon.” Along with that, a reminder of their own mortality—how many more days will we live?

If I hadn’t participated in the funeral and burial, I wouldn’t have understood how popular Habib Bhai was. He had enchanted people with his love.

I’ve known Habib Bhai for nearly two decades, since coming to the UK. He was the Chairman of the charity organization ‘Iqra International’ and the Director of the London Training Centre.

In 2010, we became close while fundraising for the treatment of a cancer-stricken young man in Sylhet. Through Iqra International and Channel S, we managed to raise nearly 10,000 pounds.

In the long journey, I never heard him speak unnecessary words. He listened more than he spoke. He answered thoughtfully and carefully. He could never say ‘no’ to good deeds. If there was something he didn’t like, but saying ‘no’ would make someone unhappy, he skillfully avoided it. He always tried to help in any charity work.

Towards the end of last year, I noticed his absence in the community. Upon inquiry, I learned that he was suffering from the incurable MND (Motor Neuron Disease). There was no hope of survival. One day, I went to visit him at his Newham home with fellow journalist Tareq Chowdhury. That was my last face-to-face meeting with him.

We spent about an hour with him and his family. By then, he had lost the power of speech. He communicated with us through gestures. As we were leaving, he said he felt very good to have our company and he was grateful.

I knew he was on the path to death. I knew that the news of his death could come at any time. But I didn’t think the call would come so soon. Because renowned British scientist Stephen Hawking lived with MND for almost 30 years. So, I hoped that Habib Bhai would live among us for at least five more years. I thought I would visit him at his home occasionally. But Allah loved him and took him early.

From noon to afternoon on Monday, almost half the day was spent in Habib Bhai’s funeral and burial. Before the Zuhr prayer, I went to the East London Mosque. There, seeing the body, performing the Janaza prayer, and later participating in the burial at Gardens of Peace. I had a lot of work pending at the office. But I felt no rush to return to the office. I felt a wonderful peace within me. Today was one of the best days of the year. It felt like I was getting a glimpse of heaven by coming into contact with a heavenly person.

My sincere prayer for Habib Bhai is that my feeling becomes true. May he be seated in heaven. May we reflect on the good qualities of his life on our own. Even when we die, many people testify that “so-and-so was a good person.” Many people participate in our funeral. After the funeral, may they not rush to go home. May they go to the cemetery to bid a final farewell. May we achieve that kind of love from people. Ameen.

Monday, 22 July 2024 – London, United Kingdom

Taysir Mahmud: Editor, Weekly Desh and General Secretary, London Bangla Press Club