إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear sister Rafia Haniff Cleofas this morning (October 2).
A well-known community leader, and disability rights activist in Toronto, Canada. She passed away early this morning after being diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago.
She was the wife of Br. Muhammad (Rolando) and mom of Ahmad and Abdullah. She was the sister of: Fareeda, Hasmatul (d), Zalina, Hassan, Fazeela (Tahirah), Hafeeza, Faizul and Bibi Omeemun. She was the aunt of Shaikh Abdur Rahman Hakh, former teacher at IIT Academy and Sr. Sumayyah and Sh. Muadh – current teachers at IIT Academy.
Despite the necessity for her to use a wheelchair from a young age, Sr. Rafia overcame many barriers and was known for her successful advocacy for disability rights in Canada. She was the founder of Deen Support Services (DEEN) and the former Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D), as well as the Ethan-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario and other initiatives for disability rights. She was instrumental in planning and executing the first Global Conference for Muslims with Disabilities.
Sr. Rafia was a study circle teacher at IIT and more recently the moderator of the IIT’s Seniors Program – a weekly online get-together for Seniors.
We ask Allah to forgive her and have mercy on her and grant her Jannatul Firdaus. May Allah grant her loved ones patience and strength in this time of grief.
Janaazah Details:
Family and Friends Gathering:
Thursday, October 2nd
Beginning at 7:00 pm
Islamic Institute of Toronto
1630 Neilson Road
Janaazah:
Friday, October 3rd
After Salaatul Jummah (begins at 1:30 PM)
Islamic Foundation of Toronto
441 Nugget Avenue
Burial:
Muslim Green Cemetery
13076 Leslie Street – Section PP
May Allah forgive her, have mercy on her and unite us all in His eternal garden of paradise.