Social Activism has no age

Some six months after celebrating her fiftieth wedding anniversary, she lost her husband. Five months before she was to turn 90, she returned to her final abode. Born in Hyderabad, India, when the Nizam was the ruler, and both her grandfathers were judges, she led a life of commitment to her family and the community, serving causes such as interfaith dialogues, human rights, education, and uplifting the neglected.

She had received training as an attorney in Pakistan, the country she had moved to in 1947, but she sacrificed her career for the upbringing of her children and stood by her husband through thick and thin. She could have pursued her career where her husband had moved to work as a scientist, or in the United States, where she came to visit her three sons, but she focused on being a mother, a writer, a poet, and a community activist.

Muzaffar Masud Haleem (June 21, 1933 - January 9, 2021)

Muzaffar Haleem, known as Bibi to her family and friends, was a Muslim matchmaker, educator, social worker, poet, cook, musician, a proponent of interfaith dialogue, a compassionate supporter of converts to Islam, and, above all, a motivator for young people to connect with their faith.

Her father, Masdullah Jung, was a civil engineer. Her mother, Suliman Sultan Begum, was a homemaker, an accomplished poet, and a dedicated social worker. In addition to a sister, Sajida Abdullah, Muzaffar had one brother, Azizullah Jung, who introduced several pioneering business concepts in Pakistan, including a drive-in theater and the first amusement park.

During her college days at the Government College of Women, she was participated in sports, debates, dramas, and stage plays, for which she won numerous awards. She entered the law college in Karachi in 1956.

In 1964, the family moved to a small town, Wheatly, outside of Oxford, England, where her husband worked for Pergamon Press, which published scientific and medical books and journals. They remained in England for three years, returning to Pakistan in 1967.

In 1979, their two oldest sons, Aleem and Muneeb, left for the United States to pursue their higher education. Shortly after their departure, the youngest son, Mubeen, was diagnosed with a heart defect. The family moved to Edwardsville, Illinois. He suffered from a rare medical condition called Williams syndrome, which results in cardiovascular impairment and coordination weaknesses. Mubeen had open-heart surgery, followed by lengthy postoperative care and rehabilitation. Her husband, Mohammed, had to return to Pakistan to work. Bibi remained behind to care for Mubeen. Six months later, Mohammed was diagnosed with a tumor. He returned to the United States in 1982 and was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes for which there was no known cure. He lost his battle with cancer on December 11, 1983.

The loss of her life companion, with whom she had enjoyed a loving and tranquil married life, left Bibi at a loss as to how to proceed. Although she returned to Pakistan in January 1984, she decided to move to Los Angeles, U.S.A., permanently in 1986.

Bibi arranged marriages for Aleem and Muneeb, with Maleeha and Shahana, respectively. Both the daughters-in-law provided substantial support to Bibi in all her activities.

In 1987, Bibi began visiting the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility in Los Angeles to pursue a lifelong interest in helping people who wanted to study or learn about Islam. She began visiting the prison on Saturdays with the Muslim Student Association of U.C.L.A., which had started the Incarcerated Youth Tutoring Project. She notably reached out to those whose former friends and families had deserted them due to their conversions. Bibi encouraged the Muslim Chaplain at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility, Daaiyallah Fardan, to collaborate with Human Assistance and Development International, a California-based non-profit organization founded in 1991 by Bibi's sons and friends, to raise funds for the various activities.

Bibi also worked with Shamim Ibrahim, the founder of NISWA, a Los Angeles-based women's organization that provides various services for women, including a shelter for victims of domestic violence. In addition to working in social services, Bibi provided matchmaking services for Muslim boys and girls seeking marriage partners. Several happily married couples are grateful to Bibi.

Bibi also worked to promote what she called "Islamically inspired music." Her interest in music extended back to her youth, when she preferred socializing and composing songs to studying, and continued through her college days, when she sang in the choir and participated in music programs. Her interest grew with Mubeen's medical treatments. Like many people with Williams syndrome, Mubeen possesses special musical abilities and inclinations, including a talent for musical composition. Bibi helped Mubeen's friend and fellow composer Kacheebe Abdullah establish a company called Sahih Entertainment, which recorded its first album, The State of the Ummah, in 1998. Mubeen composed portions of some of the songs, sung by her mother. Her support of Kacheebe's work reflected her long-term interest in helping young people strengthen their faith.

Bibi's pride and joy was when her sons, along with their friends Dr. Dany Doueri, Amr Saemaldahr, and others, created the online Muslim community known as IslamiCity in 1995.

She focused mainly on the Islamic Information Network, which provides free Islamic literature upon request. Described as "Mother of IslamiCity" by Azizah Magazine, Bibi communicated with people inquiring about Islam. She also arranged meetings and get-togethers for women who were new to Islam. She co-authored with Betty (Batul) Bowman: The Sun is Rising in the West: New Muslims Tell about their journey to Islam, which presents interviews with new American Muslims discussing their conversions.

Bibi's involvement in dialogue and understanding extended to bringing together various people within the Muslim community and of other faiths. She was involved in interfaith dialogue through a group called "Cousins," which comprised women from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths. She was also passionate about being part of a friendship circle called "Together," which brought together people from different religious backgrounds to discuss social issues. Bibi believed that the experience of learning about other faiths and cultures, as well as presenting and teaching about one's own, is invaluable. She thought that this was particularly important in the aftermath of 9/11, when national awareness of the need to learn more about Islam became center stage. Every bit as crucial for Bibi was the tangible symbolism of Jewish and Muslim friendship shown when she and the Jewish founder of Together, Rebecca Rona, appeared together, shattering stereotypes of Jewish-Muslim conflict by reflecting the reality of mutual understanding, appreciation, and friendship.

Her love for the Prophet was evident in her reciting the praise for the Prophet whenever she was not busy. May Allah grant the best in life hereafter.