In memory of Manzoor Khalid (1945–2018)
Manzoor Khalid (1945–2018)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Hafiz Manzoor Khalid, a lover of books who committed himself to promoting Islamic literature and sharing the Qur’an.
Khalid, as he was known by friends and family, was born in 1945 in Peshawar, Pakistan. At an early age he memorised the Qur’an, completing his hifz at 14 in Gujranwala, Pakistan.
In July 1967 Khalid moved to Blackburn, where he settled and soon married. In Blackburn Khalid worked for an engineering firm making Singer sewing machines and helped to establish a UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) centre where he led Taraweeh prayers. In 1974 he moved from Blackburn to Manchester and was involved in founding Masjid Khizra, before returning to Pakistan to care for his father in 1978.
Masjid Khizra, Cheetham Hill, Manchester
After deciding to move back to the UK in 1981, Khalid was asked to run the UKIM bookshop in Drummond Street, London, as its manager. A position he held for 17 years. And one that shaped the remainder of his life.
Islamic Book Centre, Drummond Street, London (1999)
Numerous people, from academics to community activists, recall the times they visited the shop during those years. Hafiz Khalid’s personal attention and guidance led to conversions, marriages and much shared knowledge. His gentle enthusiasm and admirable manners never forgotten.
In the 90s Khalid left the Drummond Street Book Centre to work alongside Afsar Siddiqui at TaHa Publishing before becoming a bus driver in London. A position away from his beloved books.
Fortunately, one of the regular customers to Drummond Street came calling. Farooq Murad, restructuring the Islamic Foundation Publications at the time, asked if he would leave London and join the Islamic Foundation in Leicester as Marketing Executive. A position he happily accepted, relocating his young family to the Midlands.
At home promoting Islamic literature, Hafiz Khalid performed his role with dedication and care. Helping to increase its distribution, and in 2007, playing a pioneering role in the successful creation of Kube Publishing.
Islamic Foundation, Markfield
Nineteen years later he retired from Kube Publishing, leaving a legacy in British Muslim books that few will match. During this time, his community activism never ceased: he completed a chaplaincy course at MIHE in the 2000s and went on to perform nikahs, Friday khutbahs and regularly attend UKIM events.
All of us blessed to know him will remember his gentle nature, endless enthusiasm for ‘fantastic books’, his compassion and restraint, and his love for the Qur’an.
Despite his constant smile, Khalid spent his final years living with an unknown condition. He was eventually diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and left this world on the morning of 13th of October 2018. We pray that Allah forgives his shortcomings and raises him up to the highest rank in paradise.
Hafiz Manzoor Khalid leaves behind his wife, Shahida Khalid, three children, Suhaib, Uways and Nadiyah, and six grandchildren. May Allah grant them all strength, fortitude and patience.
Haris Ahmad, Managing Director of Kube:
‘Hafiz Khalid was a perfect gem. Apart from being a book lover he had impeccable people skills and everyone used to warm to him. Even after he retired, his customers used to often ask about him. Over the past year, although he had been unwell, he still offered to help in any way he could and kept thinking about ways to further the cause. His work at Kube/Islamic Foundation was a lot more than just a job. It was a part of his life that he cherished dearly and saw it as part of his route to pleasing Allah by spreading His word. May Allah accept Hafiz Khalid’s efforts and grant him the highest place in Jannah – Ameen. He will be deeply missed.’
If you would like to add a personal reflection about Hafiz Khalid please send it to info@kubepublishing.com.
