Departure of a Great Role Model, guru: Dr. Jamal Barzinji

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Eternal Departure of a Great Role Model, a mentor and most beloved guru Dr. Jamal Barzinji
The Eternal departure of honorable Dr. Jamal Barzinji has saddened us all, indeed it is a huge lose for Muslim Ummah and ultimately for humanity.
Dr. Jamal’s legacy is obvious, and well known.
The seed of the Muslim flourish in the West especially in the USA was planted by some great, dedicated dignitaries like Dr. Jamal Barzinji.
His contributions guided Muslim Communities and their identity in North America. A founding member of THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SOCIAL SCIENTISTS (AMSS), USA, THE ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS (AMSE), U.S.A. (Currently new name AMSET). Prime leader of several Islamic organizations such as Muslim Student Association (MSA), and Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). The founding member, Trustee and Vice President of THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT (IIIT).
I was honored to become in touch with Dr. Jamal Barzinji, be around him and taught, guided and even loved by him, as he has joined International Islamic University Malaysia as the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Revealed Knowledge & Social Sciences, in 1995. While I was a graduate student of the same Department. At the same time I was fortunate to serve as IIIT Malaysia Student coordinator under his leadership.
As my experience with Dr. Jamal Barzinji, I consider him one of the very best person I have ever met in my life.
Since 1995, I have found him so much supportive to our young enthusiasm. While at IIUM, only with the support of Dr. Jamal al Marhum, we were able to publish first IIUM, IRKH graduate student’s journal “The Reflections”. In 1995, it was Dr. Jamal who encouraged and supported me to present a paper on “Tajdid in Islamic Thought” at IIUM Student Seminar. In several aspects, I have found Dr. Jamal was the best person I have ever known. So profound, wise, caring, lovely like Dr. Jamal and supportive.

In Last 20 years in Malaysia and in the USA, even though I lived in Michigan, I have found his encouragement has been always there for any great cause. In 2010 I ran for public office in Michigan, it was Dr. Jamal who has encouraged me remarkably.
Finally, I am so sad to share my last story, as I have switched my education & carrier from Shariah to Information Technology. In last November (2014) while I spent a few days at IIIT Library, Dr. Jamal has encouraged me to think to pursue my Ph.D in Shari’ah, with his encouragement I have started the process, and it is my deepest sadness that, I couldn’t convey my message to Dr. Jamal that, with his encouragement, I have made a lot of progress and I am about to start pursuing my Ph.D in Shari’ah Law.
Thank you for everything Dr. Jamal, thank you. May Allah bless you so much as you have contributed for mankind.
Personally, I will miss you Dr. Jamal. I lost my biological father 8 years ago, I felt like I lost my father again.
Fi Amanillah Dr. Jamal, I would just like conclude with the verse of the Quran as Allah SWT says:
“O the soul at peace, Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], And enter among My [righteous] servants And enter My Paradise.” (Al Fajr 27-30)