Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.
We are sad to announce the passing of two Chicago Muslim community giants, Dr. Zia Hassan and Br. Abdul Hameed Dogar, and offer our prayers and condolences to their family and friends during this difficult time. May Allah (swt) grant them mercy and accept them into the highest levels of Jannah, insha’Allah.
Br. Abdul Hameed Dogar
Br. Abdul Hameed Dogar, the founder of Islamic Foundation/IFS passed away late Sunday night.
Br. Dogar dedicated his entire life to the Chicago community. He studied civil engineering from Aligarh Muslim University in India before the partition. He later migrated to the United States in March of 1962. He worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation (I-DOT) from 1963 until his retirement in 1991. He was a licensed professional civil and structural engineer. He designed I-55 and some of the bridges in I-355.
Br. Dogar was a visionary and wanted to establish an Islamic Educational Institution in the Chicago area and thus laid the foundation for establishing Islamic Foundation Mosque and School. He was voracious reader and scholar. He has written multiple Islamic books. One of his publications is “Islam: God’s Final Message to Mankind.“
As the “founding father” of Islamic Foundation, Br. Dogar served as its Director for over 40 years. His legacy lives on in the halls of IFS and all of our hearts. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Masooda Dogar, his two sons, his two daughters, and his grandchildren.
Janaza Prayer for Br. Dogar will be on Monday, October 30, 2017, after Dhuhr Prayer (1:30 p.m.) at the Islamic Foundation in Villa Park, IL along with Dr. Zia Hassan’s Janaza prayers. Both were the founding board of trustees of the Islamic Foundation and oversaw the growth of Foundation from a small weekend school to one of the largest Islamic Centers in the United States.
May Allah SWT grant Br. Abdul Hameed Dogar with Jannatul Firdous and may He bless Mrs. Masooda Dogar and their family with strength, courage, and peace. Ameen.
Dr. Zia Hassan
Growing up a child of Islamic Foundation, many of the board members are like family. It is with great sadness to announce that the 1st chairperson of Islamic Foundation/IFS, Dr. Zia Hassan, has passed away this morning. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon.
Dr. Zia Hassan came to the United States in the 1950’s to pursue his Master’s degree and PhD from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He ended up giving 54 years of his dedication to IIT and retired as their Dean of the business school.
Dr. Hassan was one of the original founders of Islamic Foundation in Villa Park in 1974 and later, the addition of the IFS school. He served as the chair of the Islamic Foundation board of trustees for 40 years.
Dr. Hassan gave his mind and his heart to the Chicagoland community. He was one of the original leaders of our institutions. May Allah SWT grant Dr. Zia Hassan with Jannatul Firdous and may He bless his wife, Dr. Shakeela Hassan, and his family with strength, courage, and peace.
Biographies provided by Husna Ghani of Islamic Foundation in Villa Park, Illinois