Salim Khan

1923 - 2017

1923 - 2017 The last of the original founders who built the first Muslim Mosque in the Western United States, located on 411 V Street in Sacramento, died on November 16, 2017 of respiratory failure. Salim was born in Ghorgushti, Pakistan (then India) in 1923. While growing up there he assisted his Father, who was an Officer in the Indian National Congress Party, in the effort to free India from Great Britain. During this time, Salim had the opportunity to hear Gandhi and Badshah Khan speak on civil disobedience, and served as a bodyguard for Gandhi when Gandhi went to their home district to speak. Being a Freedom Fighter didn't keep him in India - he needed to find his own role in life. As a result, he boarded a Dutch cargo ship in 1942 from Mumbai in search of work. After arriving in New York, Salim travelled to California and worked as a farm laborer and later foreman before joining the United States Army towards the end of World War II. In 1947, under the leadership of Saidullah Khan, Salim and other Pakistanis decided to build a Mosque in Sacramento. They raised funds from all over California, Nevada, and Arizona; and invested time, energy, and money into building what was the first Muslim Mosque in the Western United States. In 1949, the Mosque held its first formal wedding to celebrate the marriage of Salim and his bride Olga Dad from Arizona. Salim held a variety of offices with the Muslim Mosque Association, including President. While in office, his accomplishments included bringing the first full-time Imam to the Mosque in the mid 1960's; building the minaret; starting a Sunday school program for children, and then building a separate building for the Sunday school on the mosque campus. This Sunday school is now named after him. On the political side, he was key in the establishment of the Pakistani-American Association which brought many Pakistani dignitaries to Sacramento, including Ambassadors and the President of Pakistan, Zia ul-Haq in 1982. Salim worked at McClellan Air Force base and later owned and managed apartments and hotels in the Sacramento and Stockton area. In 1981, he obtained his Master's degree in History from California State University, Sacramento with a thesis entitled "A Brief History of Pakistanis in the Western United States." One of his most important contributions to the Pakistani-American community, however, has to be his hospitality in welcoming and helping new Pakistanis assimilate into the community. Almost always, new Pakistani immigrants were invited to dinner at Salim's house their first weekend here, eating dinner and meeting other Pakistanis in the community. He helped many find jobs, helped them with loans and exposed them to American activities. Similarly, during the Soviet-Afghan War, he was active in helping Afghani refugees through fundraising, housing, and interpreting for Afghani children in hospitals who came here for treatment. Salim leaves behind five daughters and three grandchildren: Jamie Khan and husband George Steffes, Shamim (Mimi) Khan and husband Chris Waddell, Kathy Khan and husband Scott Warner, Sandy Khan, Sabrina Khan and husband Mark Chotiner. His three loving grandchildren are Camille Waddell, Adam Waddell and Lilah Chotiner. Salim is also survived by his sister Zohra Khan of Stockton and brother Sher Afgan Khan in Pakistan. His burial service took place on November 17, 2017 at the Muslim Mosque and he is buried at Masonic Lawn on Riverside Blvd. Charitable donations to the Muslim Mosque Association at 411 V Street, Sacramento, CA; Doctors Without Borders, or Islamic Relief.