Sudden death of young dad shocks Asian community

The sudden death of Rajaa MuHammad Qasim, son of alHaj Abdur Razzaq, from Crawford Street, Nelson, has shocked and shattered the whole community.

Friends said the whole Pendle community was mourning the loss of the well-loved son, father, husband, friend, teacher, mentor and community leader who was aged in his 30s.

Mr Qasim was also a youth worker, interfaith and Building Bridges activist across Burnley and Pendle, as well as a committee member at the Central Ghausia Masjid Mosque in Clayton Street, Nelson.

The Barclays Bank employee was a loyal disciple of an internationally well known spiritual Sufi Sunni order founded by the great gnostic of Syria, Shaykh MuHammad Ab-ul-Huda al-Ya’qoobi ash-Shaazili; a descendant of the famous Royal Chib Raajput family of Asia and an active football, sports and outdoor leisure fan.

A friend said: “He was young, wise, vibrant, humble, handsome and successful in his life financially, academically, religiously and domestically.

“He was in hospital for a minor hip operation and was supposed to be back home on Saturday morning, but he died overnight on Friday in hospital as no one knew that he was not coming back home again.

“He was a happy, smiling and friendly person. Everyone always came first before his own wishes, young or old. He will surely be missed by everyone. He has gone from this world from our lives but his memories will last in everyone’s hearts and minds forever.

“Throughout the UK and across the globe people are calling, emailing, Facebooking, tweeting, coming to Nelson to pay their last respects to their loved one.” His funeral prayer is today (Monday) at 1pm, at the Central Ghausia Masjid, Clayton Street, Nelson, when thousands of people are expected to attend.

His friend added: “Many poems have been written and will be written about him, his legacy and his goal in life to see everyone happy and successful. I hope his legacy lasts for long until the sun rises and sets on this planet.”