The Imam of Ottawa Assalam Mosque, Sheikh Mohamed Rashad, believed to be in his late 50s, collapsed Thursday morning while visiting Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he was on Hajj with thousands of others.

“In a way, this is the worst day of my life. ,My father was a fragile man to begin with. He was a workaholic. He didn’t believe in taking rests,” said Rashad’s eldest son, Abdul Hakim Moalimishak.

The family is still waiting to learn the cause of Rashad’s death, but Moalimishak said he might have died from liver or stomach problems. However, he did not have any serious medical conditions that his family was aware of.

This is the second tragedy to hit the family since the summer. In September, one of Rashad’s daughters died after a fall in Ottawa. Rashad is survived by four other daughters and four sons.

People at the Assalam Mosque described Rashad as a highly educated, selfless and very compassionate man who had publicly lobbied for the release of journalist Amanda Lindhout, who was taken hostage in Somalia in August 2008. Lindhout was released just this Wednesday.

“All his work was charity for Islam,” said Sammaer Gebara. “[He] never took wages, never took money from the mosque.”

Ahmed Hassam, vice-president of the mosque, said the congregation would pray for Rashad on Friday. He offered his condolences to Rashad’s family, friends and the entire community.
Source: CBC.ca

Ottawa Muslims have lost one of the most prominent figures in the Islamic Da’wah and work in the community. May Allah grant his family and Muslim community patience.May Allah grant Sheikh Mohamed Rashad forgiveness, mercy and highest place in Jannat Alferdous.