Tarek Raskhan Alkadri

engages with and teaches local students, showcases a unique and rare Quran exhibit and provides monthly education webinars on current and historical medical advances. Uncle’s vision finally became a physical reality.

This vision and passion were more than just singular events. This journey was 25 years in the making — a journey to which he dedicated his life. Understanding that Islamic history isn’t just for one culture or group, he collaborated with all interested leaders and motivated people around the world to spread this knowledge and passion for our history. As a result, among many other activities, he presented at international IMANA meetings, participated in collaborative research projects and in co-founding the International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine (ISHIM; ishim.net).

Only the Covid-19 pandemic forced him to stop attending these annual meetings, which created lifelong friendships — friends who are now feeling the pain of his loss. His legacy inspired people to learn about their history and, ultimately, about themselves.

He knew who he was. Born in 1939 in Baroda, India, Uncle remained connected to his roots where he had studied medicine. He was a founding member of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (https://afmi.org) and dedicated to help India’s minorities achieve 100% literacy. With all of these accomplishments, he was still working in his busy clinic!

But his main passion and dedication were his family. He was married to Zubeda Nagamia, an anesthesiologist, for 55 years and traveled with her worldwide as they spread this passion for Islamic history. His daughter Afshan Ahmed, DDS; son Sameer Husainuddin Nagamia, MD cardiologist; and grandsons Armaan and Amin Ahmed were his pride and focus. He attended every major event — the last being his youngest grandchild’s high school graduation.

Uncle was one of those people blessed with the ability to positively change their community during their time on Earth and leave behind such a great legacy as a sadaqa jariya. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed. Though we grieve, he would urge us to continue the work because it wasn’t just his; he made sure that it was ours. ih

A Heart that Touched Every Soul

1970-2021

Tarek Raskhan Alkadri, a Dallasarea community leader for many years, passed away from Covid-19 complications on June 5, 2021, in Dallas at the age of 51.

Alkadri, who migrated from Yemen to the U.S. in 1990, genuinely cared for his community and strove to serve and uplift those around him. He helped newcomers to the U.S. find jobs, go to school and get situated in their new homes.

In 2012, he helped found and served as president/board chair of Pure Hands Yemen Relief (https://purehands.org/), a humanitarian nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty, creating economic opportunities and providing emergency relief to those afflicted by his homeland’s ongoing war.

His son Ahmed, remembering his father, wrote: “Growing up, my dad used to always tell me ‘When you’re born, you’re crying and everyone around you is smiling. Make sure you live a good and noble life so when you die everyone is crying and you’re the one smiling’… He left a legacy too big to carry. I think that’s why Baba has six kids, so my siblings and I can split the burden. We strive to be like you.”

Eulogizing Alkadri, Imam Omar Suleiman said, “I feel like I could write a book about this beloved brother. Tarek Alkadri was one of the closest family friends we’ve ever had, and he’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met in this community. That is not an exaggeration. I’ve never known a person who naturally did so much good yet was so humble and desired anonymity with it all. The amount of people he helped without them even knowing. He would donate privately and generously all the time and meet people with a beautiful smile and character always.

“This was the brother who would invite random people from the masjid to his house for lunch on a weekly basis, especially those he felt were being left out. This is the brother who worked tirelessly for the families of political prisoners with Muslim Legal Fund of America (https://mlfa.org) [where he had served as board member/ treasurer since 2006] and for his beloved home country of Yemen through Pure Hands charity, among others.

“If people knew what he did, he would’ve received award after award for his service. And his children radiate with the beautiful character they learned from him and his wife. We are shocked and saddened by his death. But this time, he can’t tell me not to mention his name or put his picture up.”

Nihad Awad (executive director, CAIR National) said, “Tarek Alkadri will be missed as a humble community leader, activist and humanitarian who sought throughout his life to alleviate the sufferings of others.”

Dr. Osama AbuIrshaid (executive director and board member, American Muslims for Palestine) said Alkadri’s love for Muslims transcended geography and ethnicity. As one of his priorities was the struggle to liberate Palestine, he made himself available anytime we called on him for his wisdom and support.

The Muslim Educational Trust (MET) in Portland, Ore., said that its members will always have a special place in their hearts for Alkadri, for his Dallas-based company, AllAmerican Flooring, furnished and installed all of its community center’s flooring.

Alkadri was also a board member of the North Texas Islamic Council and the Islamic Association of North Texas, as well as a past board member of Islamic Services Foundation.

His wife Najat, daughter Mryam, and sons Mustafa, Ahmad, Abdul Rahman and Hamza survive him, as do several of his sisters and brothers. ih