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IRFAN SHAHID Obituary
IRFAN ARIF KAWAR SHAHID 1926 - 2016
Prof. Shahid was a distinguished scholar who contributed extensively to Oriental Studies, most notably, the field of Byzantium and the Arabs. He had written several volumes on the subject, one of which he was still working on shortly before his passing.Shahid had a remarkable ability to remember and recite large amounts of Arabic poems, both ancient and modern. This is how he often entertained his guests and acquaintances.Prof. Shahid was highly respected and admired by his colleagues and students at Georgetown University and Dumbarton Oaks. He had received many academic honors during his lifetime. His family is deeply saddened by the loss of a great scholar, relative and friend. We extend our deepest condolences to his dear wife, Mary Shahid, and hope that God will give her the strength to bear the burden of his loss.The funeral service will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 at Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 10620 River Rd., Potomac, MD at 11 a.m. Donations can be made to the church.
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Memories and Condolences
for IRFAN SHAHID
Sponsored by Richard P. and Family.
John J Koudsi
November 10, 2020
God bless his soul. Irfan was a great friend and he and his wife Mary took good care of my daughter who was a student at George town. There ae no words to express how great, entertaining and intellectual Irfan was. May his Memories be eternal. John J Koudsi and family
Richard, Hanan, and Layth Popp
November 8, 2020
Though four years have passed since your passing Ustadh Shahid, you are still very much in our hearts. We miss hearing your voice, lines of poetry, and encouragement.
Jonathan Culver
November 8, 2020
Yesterday I was writing a review for an article on the Ishmael theme and I remembered and referenced Dr Shahid and felt so thankful for his books and articles. Today I received your memorial notice of his passing four years ago. My wife, Judith and I join you in remembrance of this great scholar and person!
January 1, 2017
I remember Professor Irfan when I was a young boy and he was in the eight grade, noted for his academic success, tall and athletic like physique, well groomed and friendly. Most of us in Nazareth thought of him to be the right person for scholarly achievement and bright future. He then gained the respect and admirations of his teachers and all who came to know him, the true son and the pride of Nazareth. Sad that I did not see him subsequent to leaving Nazareth in 1946, especially when it coincided with his presence as a visiting professor at Oxford University and my presence as a student at the University of Cambridge. I will continue to remember him especially when I am embarking on reading as many of his books and publications. He will remain with us.
John KOUDSI
December 15, 2016
My relation with my friend Dr Irfan Shahid goes back to 1991 when my daughter Suzy was admitted to Georgtown to the school of Foreign Service. From the time we met till the time he passed away we were always in contact and remained good friends. My family and I are going to miss him and pray to the Lord to bless his soul. He was a great intellect with an exceptional wisdom. Our heart goes to Mary and pray for her to have the courage and will to continue his legacy.
With our love,
John, Kathy, Suzy and Johnny Koudsi
December 14, 2016
I had the honor of knowing Dr. Shahid over the years. He was a scholar, a kindhearted man, and a great mentor. He believed in peace and bridge-building. Dr. Shahid truly cared about his students in class and beyond. He loved poetry, and it was always a joy listening to him recite. At his retirement ceremony in 2008, he closed with two beautiful verses which underscored his hopeful mindset. The full lecture and verses can be found at this link: https://ccas.georgetown.edu/story/1242687883691
Dr. Shahid will always be in our memories and hearts.
Elias Akram Kawar
November 24, 2016
Dear Mary and Family,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences
for the loss of our dear cousin Irfan.
He was a beacon of hope, love and caring not only for his family but for all scholars who have known him. He will be truly missed by all those were exposed to his life's work in and outside academic circles.
May he rest in peace.
Elias Akram Kawar and Family
Nawal Kawar
November 23, 2016
Dear Mary and Family:
Having known cousin Irfan all these years, it is very hard to find words to express my deep sorrow for his loss. I will never forget the visits we have had and the days I heard his recited poems. We will all miss him greatly.
November 17, 2016
Dear Mrs. Shahid and family,
I hardly feel worthy to add to the words of those who actually knew and sat at the feet of this great scholar, teacher and mentor, Dr. Irfan Arif Shahid. I only knew him through some of his impressive writings. These were very helpful in providing some essential information for my doctoral dissertation at Fuller Theological Seminary 18 years ago. Today, Nov. 17 your time, I decided to find more detailed information about him on the internet and learned about his passing away a few days ago. Very moving testimonials by those who knew him directly. I feel blessed to have enjoyed the more muted fragrance of his essence through his writings.
Jonathan Edwin Culver, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Dr. Ibrahim M. Oweiss
November 17, 2016
Dear Mary and family,
Our heartfelt condolences on the departure of a great scholar and close colleague for the last 57 years.God less his soul and bestow comfort upon his beloved wife Mary
ROGER BENSKY
November 16, 2016
Dear Mary : I remember Shahid so very well, going back to our early days at Georgetown : his wit, his culture and his keen curiosity. We collaborated on the Arabic Poetry component of Georgetown's Bicentennial and I can still see and hear him playing MC for that remarkable event. You have my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences. He was a gentleman and a scholar.
Sandra Horvath-Peterson
November 16, 2016
Dear Mary and family. I taught in the History Department for a long time and every time I encountered your husband -either in one of the ICC elevators, as we were going to our classes, or in the corridor of our department where he came to visitJohn Ruedy or Judith Tucker, he always had a smile on his face and something kind or interesting to say. He just loved life and loved his important professional work. What Richard Popp said in his tribute rings out beautifully. Richard really captured the essence of your husband.
I am sure your husband is now in the arms of God to receive all the good things God has promised to those who led a good and worthy life.
This is a difficult time for you and your family, but please know that we have a Bereavement Group on GU's campus and I'm sure they would welcome you and your children with open arms, because you are part of the Georgetown family. I went to the Bereavement group after my mother passed away, and it helped me immensely. It is a very relaxed and smallish group. I think they meet for about an hour, and one doesn't have to say anything when they attend. A person can wait until they are ready to share some of their feelings with others who are grieving, too. And the nice thing is that you can drop in anytime they have a meeting and can stop going to their sessions by just not showing up.
Here is the information from their website:
Under the auspices of Campus Ministry and Human Resources, and facilitated by GUSOM Ombudsperson Nancy Harazduk, the group meets on the third Friday of each month in room 239 of the Basic Science Building.
For more information, please contact Nancy Harazduk at [email protected].
Please know that we will be thinking of you and your family during this sad time, while also appreciating the life of your wonderful husband while he was with us on earth.
Most respectfully,
Sandra Horvath-Peterson
IRENE TOWNSEND
November 16, 2016
MARY,
I'm SORRY.
Richard and Hanan Popp
November 15, 2016
In Memory of Dr. Shahid
Richard and Hanan Popp
November 15, 2016
I had the honor of being one of Dr. Shahid's Ph.D. students from 1994 to 2000. He epitomized what it meant to be a mentor and scholar. A finer man and scholar I have never known. A mentor who cared deeply for his students, even after they graduated, helping set them on the path to become the most they could. His sage and insightful advice will be greatly missed, as well as those times spent together listening to his recitation of poetry from diverse sources.
Dr. Shahid was a scholar of the first order. A classically trained scholar that produced original and penetrating works on various topics in some of the world's most prestigious journals and encyclopedias. Eight of his monographs are the following:
- Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century, Volume 2, Part 2, 2010
- Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century, Volume 2, Part 1, 2002
- Byzantium and the Arabs in the Sixth Century, Volume 1, 1995
- Byzantium and the Arabs in the Fifth Century, 1989
- Byzantium and the Semitic Orient Before the Rise of Islam (Collected Studies Series: No.Cs270), 1988
- Byzantium and the Arabs in the Fourth Century, 1984
- Rome and the Arabs: A Prolegomenon to the Study of Byzantium and the Arabs, 1984
- Omar Khayyám, the Philosopher-Poet of Medieval Islam, 1982
My wife, son, and I will greatly miss being with him; however, he will forever be in our hearts and memories.
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance. The Prophet
His devoted student, Richard A. Popp.
November 15, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. It is always so very hard to lose a loved one in death. God understands your loss and he will listen to your prayer and pay attention to your pleas for help. In the days of your distress, he will answer you. ( Psalms 86:6-7) To his wife Mary Shiber Shahid, your family and friends have my deepest condolences.
November 15, 2016
One of the best professors, I took classes from. Very intelligent scholar, polite, knowlwdgeable and always available for help his students.
Kifayat Ullah
Margaret Nydell
November 14, 2016
Dr. Shahid was my favorite professor through many years of university study. I have never known anyone else like him. I admired him very much.
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