Saturday, October 24, 2020
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
We belonged to God and to God we returned.
It was with profound sadness that we announced the passing of our longtime CCMW Ottawa Chapter member, Khadija Haffajee, known to us as “Sister K,” on Thursday, September 17, 2020.
A prominent Muslim woman leader, notable for her faith-based and interfaith work within and beyond the Muslim community, Sister K was a familiar presence at community gatherings and organized events. Many recognized her as a conservatively yet colourfully dressed Muslim woman who could appear intimidating at first glance; however, those who knew her well were drawn to her openness, acceptance, and her ready smile and laughter.
Within the Sunni mainstream community, male mosque leaders were not widely known for engaging with minority Muslim sects such as the Ahmedis, but Sister K was not of that mindset. Non-judgmental and open-minded, she readily accompanied others to an Ahmadiyya women’s function one year. She enjoyed the presentations and recitations by women and counted several attendees as friends.
She was among the few women elders who opened her home to others not only for faith awareness and education, but also for creative initiatives. She hosted a book club and founded—and helped organize—a women’s talent event that became a much-anticipated community gathering called Expressions of Muslim Women. Women who might otherwise have remained unseen and unheard found safe, welcoming spaces to share their talents in drama, music, spoken word, comedy, and visual art. She encouraged these women to spread their wings and pursue their gifts further, and as a result, some went on to become recognized artists in Canada.
Our CCMW President, Nina Karachi-Khalid, expressed her sorrow and captured the essence of Sister K:
“One more Canadian Muslim pioneer passed away… I vividly remembered her at Muslim gatherings when I was growing up. She was a no-nonsense woman. She carried herself with strength and confidence. She was not like other women. When she spoke, everyone listened. I liked being around her although I was a little scared of her. For the past few years, I saw pictures of her attending functions at the Rhoda Centre in Ottawa. They were so lucky to have her as their elder leader. I am sure that they honoured her the way she deserved. May Allah have mercy on her soul and reward her for all of her efforts and good deeds. As they say… they don’t make them like her anymore.”
This distinguished and widely respected Muslim woman was laid to rest on the same day that another eminent, unique, and renowned feminist passed away in the United States.
Heaven, surely, was made more radiant by the presence of two extraordinary women: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Notorious RBG, and our own Notorious Sister K.
