Tufail Ahmad, a widely respected charity leader in the Washington area, passed away in Karachi on Thursday. He touched thousands of lives, especially immigrants and members of diverse communities through a wide range of services that his Montgomery County Muslim Foundation provided.
Friends, colleagues, and generations of young leaders he helped groom paid tribute to his memory, remembering him as a pillar of local communities.
Here is a piece, I wrote about the work, achievements, and motivations behind Tufail Ahmad’s humanitarian services after I interviewed him in 2016.
During the course of a single day, he pursues so many tasks – considering them as his duties – that even to his close associates Tufail Ahmad defies description. It is difficult to bracket his work into one single professional category or service.
In a matter of few hours, the Pakistani American is arranging meals for the impoverished, looking after the needs of a newly arrived refugee family, dealing with a political question, discussing interfaith efforts, working with a charity organization, advising upcoming activists, and so on.
But beneath all the array of works Ahmad does, runs a strong streak – a commitment to service to the community and through it to humanity at large, and that is what keeps him focused on multitasking calmly and successfully.
“On the very first day, when I decided I would do something charitable, friends collected stuff and money worth more than $ 5000.00 in the very first hour,” Ahmad said.
His Montgomery County Muslim Foundation has grown to be a symbol of integrity and openness to volunteers and the needy from all faiths, races, and backgrounds.
“That is the spirit of Islam, collective well-being, no discrimination,” Ahmad says.
So what is one quality that American Muslims must possess?
“American Muslim parents must encourage their children to learn and grow into leaders,” he said, referring to the need for young Muslims to progress as democratic voices.
That is why, explains, he encourages volunteerism and community work. “That, along with education, is the way to accomplishment.”
Ahmad’s MCMF provides a meeting ground for young students and experienced civil society leaders. The foundation has been recognized for its services by the county, and to thousands of people in the metro area, Ahmad symbolizes the spirit to do something for others through values of sharing and caring.
His three children, one daughter, and two sons, all have professional degrees from top universities and are finance and business leaders.
But where did Ahmad start his journey?
Born in Allahabad, India, son of a high school teacher, he moved to Pakistan after doing Masters in Commerce from Allahabad University in 1958.
In Karachi, he served as an assistant professor, and in 1961 he was selected for the Government of Pakistan’s Audit and Accounts Service. Between 1968 to 1971, he worked at the United Nations Headquarters as a member of the Pakistan audit team.
Another migration in Ahmad’s life occurred in 1973 when he decided to come to the United States. He worked in a shipping firm until 1977 and in 1979 Tufail Ahmad launched his own international trading company, which he ran successfully for years.
“I left my professional work in 2004 when I got fully involved with charitable work in the County.”
Besides, Ahmad served as a member of The Montgomery County Uptown Citizens Advisory Board in the past. Now he is a member of the County Executive Advisory Board.
Among many honors he has received, include the Pollin Award for Outstanding Dedication to the community, which he got in 2002, the Neil Potter Path of Achievement Award given by the County Executive in 2012, and the Governor’s Service Award in 2013.
An important facet of Ahmad’s work relates to efforts toward interfaith harmony. He is engaged in enhancing dialogue among different ethnic and religious communities within the County.
After the 9/11 tragic events, Ahmad established an effective dialogue between the Muslim and Jewish communities but his work encompasses all the multicultural communities.
In politics, Tufail Ahmad has been allied to Democratic Party in Montgomery County and also served as Chair of District 15 Caucus and Precinct Chair. In 2004, he received the Dean Peacock Award for Precinct Official of the Year. In 2006, Ahmad ran for the County Council At-Large seat.
“I am here to help – that is my motto – it is a collective effort for collective well-being,” he says, readying himself for the next humanitarian campaign, political event and community welfare liaison – all simultaneously.
