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Gulnar Husain

1947 - 2018

Gulnar Husain obituary, 1947-2018, Kalamazoo, MI

BORN

1947

DIED

2018

Gulnar Husain Obituary

Husain, Gulnar 9/8/1947 - 1/1/2018 Portage To God we belong and to God we shall return. Gulnar Husain, of Portage, MI made the peaceful transition to the afterlife at home surrounded by family, on January 1st, 2018. She was 70 years old. She is survived by her husband, Shaghil Husain of Kalamazoo, MI and her daughter, Sarah Husain of San Jose, California; her sister Nigar Islam, and her nephews Omar and Ali Islam, all from Canada. She was a loving great-aunt to many children and also leaves behind several cousins, nieces and nephews in the U.S., Pakistan and around the world. Born in Meerut, India and a graduate of Kinnaird College and University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, Gulnar immigrated to Kalamazoo in 1981 and received her Master's Degree from Western Michigan University in Political Science. Gulnar dedicated her life to serving others; it was her passion for children's education and community service that drove her to volunteer for countless organizations in the Kalamazoo community. Over her 38 years of community volunteerism in Kalamazoo, she compiled an exceptional legacy which included numerous awards and accolades, including a Communities in Schools (CIS) National Award, a National "Honoring Differences" Award, a National Campaign for Tolerance Award, and, most recently, the "Good Neighbor" STAR Award for her exemplary service and impact within the community. Gulnar was often described as the 'heart' of Arcadia Elementary School, where she worked for over 14 years, first as an AmeriCorps VISTA and then as Site Coordinator through Communities In Schools (CIS). All of her service was completed in her own humble way - quiet but persistent, with her compassion and ever-present smile. The awards recognized her efforts to help those less fortunate, support at-risk children and their educational needs, and to engage her neighbors in the community. Through her tireless work she became the face of Islam and peace for local residents. In 2016, she led a local initiative for a welcoming proclamation for refugees and immigrants in the Kalamazoo City Commission, which affirmed religious pluralism and urged Kalamazoo residents to stand together for peace and justice. Her involvement with interfaith organizations often placed her on the podium to speak about, as she called it, "building bridges of inclusion." Gulnar once said, "I have appreciated everything about America. But what I appreciate the most is the concept of service. Here in America is the idea of serving others and being fair in your dealings. This is what I have tried to do." Her family would like to thank the caring community of friends for the love and support showered on her throughout her life, especially during the last year while she fought her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Gulnar Husain was one of the 'hearts' of Kalamazoo and our global community. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she impacted in meaningful ways. We pray that her legacy will live on through her many philanthropic endeavors. In her loving memory, an Open House will be held on Saturday, January 13th from 11am-1pm at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center (511 Burrows Street Kalamazoo, MI 49006). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Gulnar Husain Legacy Fund" to support and recognize school volunteers via Communities in Schools (CIS) of Kalamazoo (125 W Exchange Pl, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). http://ciskalamazoo.org/

Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Jan. 6 to Jan. 8, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dear Sara and Shagil Unlce,

Please accept our sincere condolence on such a great loss . I am writing on behalf of my mother Saboohi Jalal W/o Jalal Uddin Qureshi. As she recalls Gulnar Bhabbi, a beautiful and kind hearted person always ready to help and be there. The time spent with Gulnar Aunty and your family during stay in Kalamazoo is indeed a joyful memory.

May God bless her with the highest place in Jannah.

Lots of love and Regards,

Saboohi Jalal and family

Ahmad Qureshi

Family

November 15, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

joe schmitt

January 22, 2018

The entire McMorrow family send its condolences to Shaghil and Sarah on the loss of Gulnar, a lovely and genuinely ineffable wife, mother and esteemed community resource. We encountered Gulnar and the Husain family from many directions. I first met Shaghil and Gulnar in the mid-1980's when I had the privilege of serving as their attorney as we went through the arduous process of obtaining permanent resident alien ("green card") status, which required that I develop a close relationship with the family. Gulnar was sharp as a tack and quickly absorbed the process. And then we crossed paths as I was privileged to assist the Islamic Society with various matters over the years. Gulnar and Shaghil introduced me to many future friends in the Islamic community. And finally, in one of those lovely Kalamazoo twists of fate, my daughter Kathleen developed a close friendship with Sarah and maintained that link between our families. Gulnar was a true rock in the family: steady, smart, loving and committed. She will be sorely missed. David and Mary Beth McMorrow and Kathleen (McMorrow) Richards

January 11, 2018

To Sara and the family of Gulnar.
May Allah(SWT) give Peace and Comfort to your heart.
I enjoyed having Gulnar as a sister in Al-Islam for many years.
I will miss her generous spirit and calm kind manner.She was always willing to share or explain information with sisters.
Gulnar was always a reassuring and welcoming presence at KIC or public events. May she rest now and enter among the Devotees of Allah on that Great Day.
Laila Mateen

Laila Mateen

January 9, 2018

Gulnar was a tireless advocate and I'm thankful for the opportunity to have learned from and worked with her. Peace, blessings and comfort to the family.

Stacy Salters Jackson

January 8, 2018

May the love of family and friends give you strength to cope with your loss of Gulnar Husain. And may the comforting promise found at 2 Thessalonians 3:16 be of comfort. That "the Lord of peace himself give you peace constantly in every way. May the Lord be with all of you."

Elias

January 8, 2018

A very kind and generous lady. I worked with her at Arcadia and was impressed with her generous and loving ways with all of the people she came into contact with. She is missed.

Barbara Gallagher

January 8, 2018

We Sisters of St. Joseph at Nazareth Center, Kalamazoo send our warmest prayers of comfort and peace to Gulnar's family and many friends. We had the privilege of welcoming Gulnar to Nazareth to share her spirit and tremendous commitment to serving others. May we imitate and honor her life by our own love and service to others.

Sisters of St. Joseph

January 8, 2018

Kalamazoo was fortunate to have Gulnar here. Her kindness, patience and wisdom greatly contributed to a welcoming community and deeper understanding of what a true community is. Her love of her family and students will be remembered. Let's honor her with kind acts and transformational action.

Patricia Carlin

January 8, 2018

Gulnar Husain was a very dedicated, humble, eduacated, loving, helpful and very good person.
She was also very patient with her disease , positive .
I was very lucky to know her for many years. I will miss her immensely . Allah grant her highest place in Jabbar ul firdous, and sabr / patience to family.

Azra Jabeen

January 7, 2018

Gulnar was a great person and how I will miss her warm charm. Rest in Peace, sweet friend.

karen chadwick

January 7, 2018

I had the honor of meeting Gulnar a number of times and visit with her and the children with whom she worked for so many years. Her gift of love and vision for peace were contagious. Her life is a powerful example what a good life can and should be. For me she taught me that we're all called to live courageous lives of mercy in the face violence, tolerance in the face of intolerance, hope in the face of despair, and love in the face of hate. With great sympathies, Dan Cardinali

Daniel Cardinali

January 7, 2018

As Salaam Alaikum (peace be upon you)

I met Gulnar when I was a new member to the KIC community several decades ago. I feel blessed to have known her. When people meet Gulnar they are struck by her grace. She was opinionated, committed, for just causes; she was persuasive without raising her voice. And, she had a quiet strength that made you listen.

One of my earliest memories was during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. It was one of my first times fasting as a new Muslim. We decided to buy toys for the children for the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. It was summer, hot, the days were long, and we could not eat or drink during the day. Being of relatively petite statue I thought she would wither, I sure was. As we combed the shelves of bargain stores in the heat Gulnar was persistent, only thinking of bringing smiles on the face of children. This is one of many shared times.

There were also the workshops for women to teach the true Islam and to dispel false information, lobbying local politicians to standup for justice of the vulnerable, the community gatherings, the personal visitations during holidays. Gulnar, Shaghil, and a young Sarah were one of the first to visit us on one of my first Eid holidays (we were new as a family to the community), something that still touches my heart today.

I pray for strength for Shaghil and Sarah. May they take solace in knowing that her transition, InShaAllah (God Willing), is peaceful because of the life she left.

Alexandria (Sister Nur) Osborne

January 7, 2018

Sarah, my condolences to you and your family. I pray that God will strengthen you as you mourn the loss of your mother.

Grandma Cole

Delores Cole

January 7, 2018

Gulnar was one of the most fantastic people I have known in my life. Working with her at Arcadia School was a joy. Watching her interact with the children made my heart sing. It was always with kindness and love and her beautiful smile. She gave each child a sense of dignity.

I always envied her beautiful scarves. She wore them with pizza. Now God has a person of fashion in Heaven.

zadie jackson

January 7, 2018

Sarah and Kyle,
We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Always know that we love you and are praying for you.
Rev. Duane Bennett & Dr. Beverly Cole-Bennett.

Duane Bennett

January 7, 2018

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