Maulana Mohammad Naseem, popularly known as Meem Naseem or Imam Naseem, passed away on December 27, 2007 in Houston, Texas. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioon.
Maulana Naseem was Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Lucknow unit. He went to the U. S. A. in 1981 and immediately became part of the ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America). He was incharge of ICNA tarbiyah programme and member of ICNA central shura for more than a decade. Despite his failing health in recent years, he attended ICNA programmes locally, regionally and nationally. Since last year, however, he was unable to travel much and was almost bed ridden during the last two months.
Maulana Naseem was Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Lucknow unit. He went to the U. S. A. in 1981 and immediately became part of the ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America). He was incharge of ICNA tarbiyah programme and member of ICNA central shura for more than a decade. Despite his failing health in recent years, he attended ICNA programmes locally, regionally and nationally. Since last year, however, he was unable to travel much and was almost bed ridden during the last two months.
Secretary-General Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Nusrat Ali has expressed his heartfelt sorrow and sadness on and prayed to Allah for forgiveness of Meem Naseem, a renowned personality of Islamic Movement.
In a statement on December 28, the Jamaat leader further said that Meem Naseem was a very respected and active personality of the Islamic Movement and Idara-e-Adab-e-Islami Hind.
In his condolence message, Dr. Ahmadullah Siddiqui wrote inter alia, “Having known since my childhood in the sixties, I have witnessed his dedicated life in the service of Allah from different angles. He was a devout member of the Islamic Movement.
“He was Ameer of Lucknow unit and a member of the U.P. state shura. He edited Nai Naslen, organ of Idara Adab-e-Islami Hind for more than two decades. Himself a fiction writer and a humourist, Maulana Naseem was a jewel of fine Lucknow culture and an Islamic movement activist. A very practical and pragmatic personality, he had special skills to influence people’s thoughts and emotions. He was a great trainer and his knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah was very profound. He always reminded people of the manners of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be with him). He was equally popular as a speaker and as a murabbi among men, women, youth, and children,” he added.
In his message, Shamim A. Siddiqi, wrote: “He was a disciplined and an organised person throughout his life and had a “loveable and huggable” personality. He was very fond of Hafeez Merathi. He was a successful businessman when he was in Lucknow before coming over here and created fighting spirit, especially in his daughters to face the eventualities of life with courage and fortitude and Alhamdulillah, they are successful.
“As the worker and the leader of the Islamic Movement, his legacies are many: devotion to the cause of Islam , sense of total commitment to the last for his mission, ever-preparedness to sacrifice time, talents and resources for the pleasure of Allah and love for the workers of the IM. I wish the ranks and files of ICNA leadership follows him as model in American perspective. Lately, he was feeling a bit depressed, perhaps, due to his prolong illness that confined him to his house.
“When Naseem Bhai was alive I used to ask him to produce at least a couple of “Naseem” like him before he leaves this world. He is now gone and only Allah knows what contribution he made to the movement but, I am sure, he will get the ajr of his tireless efforts for the Iqama of Allah’s Deen in this world.”
He is survived by his son and three daughters.