Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim Degia passed away today (Friday January 22nd, 2010) after several years of illness.

Hafiz Degia was active in the sixties, seventies and eighties in Barbados. He came from India as a young man with his parents and actively got involved in community outreach to the Barbadian public. His work included setting up the Islamic Teaching Centre, and presenting radio programmes on Islam and many other outreach activities.

His involvement in community outreach took him to Trinidad and Guyana and he was a member of the Islamic Missionaries Guild of the Caribbean and South America from its inception.  He represented the Muslim community of Barbados several times over the years at regional and international conferences.

Suleiman Bulbulia of Barbados said that “We pray Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings,and grant him Jannatul Firdaus (Paradise). Ameen.”

Aleema Nasir, President of Guyana’s National Committee for Sisters’ Affairs (NACOSA) conveyed her condolences  “It is indeed sad news, Allah SWT knows best. May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul Firdous.  Please convey salaams and condolences to Sister Khairoon and the family. May Allah (Glory to the most High) make it easy for them in their time of loss.”

Haseeb Yusuf speaking on behalf of the Guyana Islamic Trust expressed  “our sincere condolences to the bereaved family of our respected Hafiz Degia. We pray for the forgiveness and Mercy of Allah on his soul and that He (SWT) admit him in Jannatul Firdous. May Allah grant his family patience and Iman  (conviction of faith) to continue the great work he left behind.”

Mirza Ali-Mohammed, a Communications Specialist from Trinidad said that  “I do remember Hafiz Degia very well from our visits to the Islamic Teaching Centre for meetings…. in the 80’s.  I remember the passion he showed for Dawah (outreach) to the general public in our conversations.  I pray that Allah make his reckoning easy for him and grant him Paradise.”

Grenada’s Azam Rahaman recalled that “Hafiz Muhammad Degia lived always striving for the betterment of Muslim communities wherever his efforts could have had some measure of impact. He made it a point of duty for his active participation at a Grenada Islamic Foundation conference hosted in Grenada in 1996 and I had the pleasure of his immeasurable hospitality in  Barbados over the years. May Allah (Glory to the most High) accept him in the realm of the Muttaqeen (pious). He was a good friend.”

On behalf of all the Caribbean Muslim communities, CaribbeanMuslims.com extend our condolences to the near and dear ones of Hafiz Degia and remind all that “Inna llilahi wa inna illihi rajihoon – Verily from Allah we come and to Him is our return.”  Jazak Allah Khair (may Allah reward you with good) Hafiz Degia, thank you for caring and nurturing so many souls in our communities.  May God have mercy on your soul.