Muhammad Hashir Faruqi (1930-2022)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Mohammed Hashir Faruqi, one of our founding trustees and chairman, on 11^th January 1922 in London.

To Allah we belong and to Him we return. (Qur’an 2:156)

He guided and inspired many of us and was respected by thousands, across generations and continents. Out of love, respect and admiration he was simply referred to by friends and students as Faruqi Sahib or Faruqi bhai. 

Faruqi Sahib was born on 4th January 1930 in UP, India. During his student years he was an activist in the Pakistan movement and served as Secretary of the Muslim Students Union and its Urdu literary society at Kanpur Agriculture College (later University). He trained as an entomologist and came to London in the mid-1960s to pursue his PhD at Imperial College. He soon became involved in the growing Muslim community in the UK and settled down in London.  Besides contributing to events and study circles at the Islamic Cultural Centre, Regents Park, he began to write under the pen name ‘Scribe’ a column in The Muslim – the monthly magazine of the Federation of Students Islamic Societies in the UK & Eire (FOSIS). This column was a combination of political satire and analysis and was a first in English-language Muslim journalism.

However, he will be most remembered for founding Impact International, the bi-weekly (later monthly) that he launched in London in May 1971, as “a newspaper which seeks to interpret the ethos of the Muslim world; provide balanced reporting and analysis on education, society, economics and politics; book reviews, briefings and other special features”

Against many challenges and with meagre resources, he worked tirelessly to sustain Impact for 35 years as a voice of reason, moderation, justice and above all, real understanding of Islam and Muslims in the English language . During his long tenure as Editor-in-chief of the magazine, he trained several Muslim youths in Muslim journalism. His motto was “Be fair, bold, and balanced in your writing. Never compromise on facts. Always stand for human dignity. Don't ever yield to propaganda, and serve your God through serving humanity." These were the principles he always advocated to those who sought his advice. In 2013, The Muslim News awarded him the Editor's lifetime achievement award. Ahmed Versi, editor of the Muslim News, said: "He is our connection from the world we inhabit now to a Muslim world that began its uncertain journey in the midst of decolonization, war, and new modern identities."

He played an instrumental role in the development of community institutions, in particular, Muslim Aid and the Islamic Society of Britain and later on Muslim Council of Britain. In 2003, he helped to organise the Prince of Wales visit to the Islamic Foundation at Markfield, Leicester, and presented a token of appreciation to the royal visitor on behalf of the community. 

His close associate, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad said, “Faruqi Sahib’s demise is a great personal loss for me. His contribution, not only to the community in the UK but the Ummah worldwide, has been immense. It is truly remarkable that a scientist with no formal training or education in journalism developed such a powerful pen to serve the Ummah, becoming the fearless voice of truth and justice. He served with selfless dedication and inspired countless others to serve Islam.  I pray that Allah (swt) accepts his good works, grant him forgiveness and place him amongst the Saliheen in Jannat ul Firdous. May He give Sabr to his children.”

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