Friday, May 25, 2012

Mahmood Khan - October 2010

90398 Mahmood Khan 
October, 2010
Houston, Texas

This month's Shining Star is the late Mahmood Khan sahib, a Moosi and former National Mo'tamid of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, USA. Mahmood Khan sahib passed away from a heart attack on Friday, September 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 44 years of age at the time of his death. Mahmood Khan sahib is survived by a wife, a two year old son, two brothers and three sisters.

Son of Abdul Sami Khan, Mahmood Khan was born in 1966 in Tehran, Iran. His primary occupation was as a Pilot and Senior QA Specialist for Continental Airlines, a very competitive position he attained as an immigrant to the U.S. After graduating from the Houston Citizen Police Academy, Mahmood sahib also served as a citizen police as well as volunteer for Continental Airlines' ERT (Emergency Response Team). Friends described Mahmood sahib's professionalism as exceptional and more organized than any person they had ever known. He had a detail-oriented mindset combined with a friendly and helping personality. As a pilot, Mahmood Sahib would fly cancer patients every year, just to give them a chance to have fun.

Mahmood Sahib served as the National Mo'tamid for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya from 1994 to 1999, under the Sadarat of Munum Naeem Sahib. During this time period, Mahmood sahib assisted in progressing the infrastructure of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya across the country. His zeal for professionalism was visible in events such as QRC (Qaideen Refresher Course) and National Ijtema.

Mahmood Sahib married a devoted wife, and enjoyed his happily married life. He prioritized living close to the Baitus Samee Mosque in Houston, purchasing a home only a couple blocks away. Mahmood sahib also had a gifted voice, and is known for his beautiful Nazams (Urdu poetry). He also relished the outdoors, and would often take Ahmadi families to go camping, fishing, etc.

Several close friends submitted their condolences and testimonials on Mahmood Khan sahib's passing. Tariq Bhatti Sahib writes:
"For me, one particular memory of Mahmood Bhai stands out over the others.  Although it’s a seemingly small and subtle incident, I think it speaks volumes about his character.  It was during the ground breaking (foundation stone) ceremony for Baitus Samee mosque in July 1998.  Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rah) was in Houston to lay the foundation stone.  As the cement for the foundation stone began to be shoveled into the ground, a few tiny drops of cement sprinkled onto Huzur’s (rah) shoes and ‘shalwar’.  There was a large and tightly knit crowd of people around the foundation site and Huzur did not have sufficient room to step back and avoid the cement drops.  Upon seeing this Mahmood Bhai instinctively kneeled down in front of Huzur and wiped Huzur’s shoes with a handkerchief and remained kneeled in front of Huzurs to shield Huzur (rah) from the cement drops."

Echoing Mahmood Khan sahib's passion for helping neighbors in need, Tanveer Iqbal sahib writes:
"I can share one incident where he helped me personally. In 2008, I was stuck at Karachi airport trapped by the airport officials to get money out of me before I could leave the country. Fortunately, Mahmood Bhai was in Pakistan at that time. I called his cellular phone and he talked to his brother with resources and various people to get me out of that situation. If he had not helped me, God knew what those corrupt officials had done to me. They were trying to accuse me of having multiple passports with different names."

Mahmood Khan sahib is a Shining Star of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya for his outstanding commitment and services to mankind. He will be dearly missed. May Allah the Exalted shower His love upon our dear brother Mahmood Khan sahib's soul and elevate his status in the heavens, Ameen.

Comments (6)

What a gem of an individual! How I regret not availing the opportunity to get to know him better. May Allah give strength to his wife and child, and to his siblings. Many of the younger generation (myself included) think of the 2000-2010 era when MKA took it to a new level, but we often forget our forebrothers and the intense and relentless work they put in day after day, night after night, year after year. Mahmood bhai is one such example.

May Allah bless Mahmood bhai with the highest of heavens. The story of him wiping cement from the feet of Khalifatul Masih truly brings tears to my eyes. May he once again be at the feet of our beloved Khulafa and Prophets who have passed on before, insha'allah.
Qasim R - October 02
Echoing Naib Sadr Sahib's statement on Mahmood sahib's regard to detail, as I was compiling Mahmood sahib's profile, I was amazed at how almost every testimonial we received mentioned the great amount of care our dear Mahmood sahib cherished towards every aspect of his day to day life. One person described Mahmood bahi as always dressing classy with ironed, buffed attire while another described how Mahmood bahi's greeting would always be met with a handshake and a tickle to the stomach. I am saddened to have never met this gentleman.

Hopefully a lot of us Khuddam can take a page from his book and approach life with the same regard for care and wardship that Mahmood sahib possessed.
Asif Jamil - October 02
By the way I have to add, that I think it is a great thing that (as of the writing of this post) 18 people have facebook'd this page. This is excellent tabligh for our non-Muslim friends to see the heroes we have in the Jamaat. People like Mahmood bhai are an inspiration to all, and all should see the type of wonderful gems the Jamaat of Muhammad (sa), of Ahmad (as) are producing on a daily basis.

I look forward to the day when every Shining Star is facebook'd hundreds, even thousands of times. These Shining Stars (and Rising Stars) are some of our role models and everyone should be blessed to hear about them.
Qasim R - October 02
I had the privilege of knowing Mahmood bhai personally. He was fun-loving, honest and full of life. He took our family out on my tours and camping trips. He took great care of his friends and put cultivating joy among Ahmadi families on the same pedestal as Jamaat itself. He was always well dressed and well groomed, and never looked tired or in a bad mood. I remember in his home he kept a his personal "Mission Statement" framed and on display as a reminder to himself.. on it he had a list of values that he swore to live by. When he was National Motamid Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA, he spent countless hours very late at night at the Houston mosque, sorting out reports and calling Qaideen alongside Sadr MKA Munum Naeem sahib. Those were some memorable nights. Mahmood bhai will be missed and never forgotten.
Bilal Rana - October 02
I will miss Mahmood Bhai greatly. Growing up, Mahmood Bhai was my mentor. He helped me prepare for National Ijtema competitions, journeyed with me to attend National Ijtemaat and participated in competitions himself (he had a gifted voice that would move people to tears). He led by example. He made Khuddam work fun. When I was Qaid of LA East, he was the National Motamid. I was struck by how incredibly well-organized and hard-working he was. I always felt that he gave me special attention even though he managed some 50 Qaideen at the time. He was a selfless and humble servant of Ahmadiyyat. He worked behind the scenes to serve his fellow Ahmadi brothers and sisters and embodied the true spirit of sacrifice. He was a beloved husband, loving father and adoring son. May Allah elevate his rank in Janatul Firdous. Ameen.
Amjad M. Khan - October 03
When I was growing up as an tifl Abdul Samee Khan sahib was my Qaid and Mahmood khan was my class fellow and close friend. I remember spending my after school hours with mahmood bhai and sisters. I migrated to US when he was National Motamid and surprised to see me. He was a close to my heard being my childhood friend. May Allah raise his stations in heavens.

Pervaiz Khan
Ex-Regional Qaid Great Lakes
Pervaiz Khan - October 05

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