To
many of my readers the name Sarwar Khan Awan sounds unfamiliar, with the
exception of few who either lived or studied in the city of Sheffield, United
Kingdom. Mr Sarwar Khan Awan was a community leader, philanthropist, activist,
a bridge builder and a fearless voice for the Muslim community of Sheffield. Those
who disagreed with him do so because of his bluntness and the ability to tell
the truth no matter who is involved, whether his family members, neighbors,
authorities or the community he was serving.
Mr
Khan Awan popularly called Abu Abrar, was a British Pakistani Muslim who came
to the United Kingdom in the late 1950s and lived his entire life there until
Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy took him at 10:15 am yesterday (5th
May 2015), most likely in his mid-eighties.
I
met Abu Abrar 11 years ago when I went to Sheffield to begin my postgraduate
studies. As it was then, and I doubt if anything has changed, getting a family accommodation
was extremely difficult, and the University of Sheffield gave me a temporary accommodation
for one week, and asked me to find a place within that period, as the
university hostels and family accommodations were full.
While
searching for the accommodation I met two fellow Nigerians, Dr Aminu Bello Kasarawa,
and Mr Yusuf Abiodun, both of them postgraduate students at the University, and
they advised me to look around shopping centres as landlords normally display
their phone numbers and advertise family accommodation for students, so if I am
lucky I might get one. Their advise was useful. On a Friday morning in the third
week of September 2004 while walking on Western Bank I came to one shop called Summerfield, and right there on display were various advertisements for family accommodation.
One of the names displayed was that of one Mr Awan, and I called him
immediately.
“So
you are a new student, ok, come and see me after Friday prayers” he said, and I
was so delighted that after several calls to various landlords, and visits to different
parts of Sheffield, including the City Council, I finally found someone who
might offer something.
After
the prayers I went to his house which was about 5 mins walk from the mosque, I
rang the bell, and shortly an elderly man came out. He looks serious, but
friendly. “Young man what sort of accommodation are you looking for?” he said. “I
am here with my family, so I am looking for one or two bedroom accommodation as
I have to leave the temporary accommodation tomorrow by 11 am, because the room
has been allocated to another student who is expected to arrive at 12:30 pm
according to the letter written to me by the Accommodation and Campus services
of the university”.
“Your
situation is serious, I have a two bedroom accommodation, but it is being
refurbished, so it will not be ready tomorrow, there are two students also from
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia who would be the first to come for viewing”, he added. My
hope was dashed. “Alright, go to the Islamic Centre where we prayed Jumu’a, tell
the Imam that he should find something for you immediately, said Mr Awan. “Who
should I tell him sent me?” I asked, “tell him, Abu Abrar”.
I
went to the Centre and waited for Asr Prayer, immediately after that I Walked towards
the Imam, Dr Ahmad Sabik, one the most people oriented community leaders I have
ever met. I narrated my story to him, and said Abu Abrar asked me to contact
you. “Masmul Akh-what is the name of the brother?, he asked “Jameel, I
answered”, “Irji’ ba’ada salatul Maghrib wa khudhil mafaatiyh-come back
after Magrib prayer and collect the keys” was all he said in Arabic, and I gave
way for other people who came to see him as well.
I
left the centre, wondering whether what I was witnessing was true, the level of
community cohesion and the desire to
assist those in need especially students was something that remains green in my
memory till date, courtesy of the action of late Sarwar Khan Awan. I returned
to the Centre after Magrib prayer, the keys were ready. The Islamic Centre has
purchased a house with various apartments which they rent to students at a discounted
rate. In return, the revenue generated serves as part of the income for running
the centre. Dr Sabik told me I can use the apartment for two weeks, free, but I
should try and find another one as it has been allocated to another student who
would come in a fortnight’s time. Before my tenancy expired, Abu Abrar told me
that his house was ready, the two students were not ready to take it, and so if
I still want it, we can sign a contract.
That
was how we became friends with him, and came to know more about the struggles
that he led in support of the weak in the society. He told me that in the 1960s
he led the struggle against companies discriminating against foreigners by
denying them employment, he was also one of the organisers of Malcom X’s visit
to the UK. Every Ramadhan Mr Khan Awan will contribute in talking to the neighbors
about the needs of the Muslim community, and together with the management of the
centre, took necessary measures to respect the needs of the neighbors. Finding packing
space was a major hurdle for Muslims coming for the Tarawiyh prayer, he was
among those who negotiated with the Church in the neighborhood to provide its
parking space for the Muslim community to use in Ramadhan.
Beyond
that, a major lesson about his life was that he owns many houses in Sheffield.
As he once told me, whatever is generated from the rent, he donates it to a hospital
in Pakistan to support the poor and the needy who couldn’t afford to pay their
bills. He would be angry if for any reason I did not come to his house during
Eid to share a meal with his entire family. Whenever there is a charity fund raising
to support orphans, or construct boreholes in developing countries, he would
contribute. In recognition of his service, Sheffield Hallam University awarded him
an honourary doctorate degree few years back.
Despite
being a very serious minded person, he can also be jovial on occasions, sometimes
a risky one, as I witnessed one day when he jokingly asked Prince Naseem, the
former British boxing champion, who normally prays at the centre, whether he
was ready for a fight.
My
sincere condolences to his family, the people of Sheffield and the Muslim
community at large. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul
Firdaus. Amin.
13:30
18.08.1436
07.05.2015
