TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MUHAMMAD HAMEEDULLAH KHAN
A resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Chicago, sponsored by Alderman Debra L Silverstein, 50th Ward -
WHEREAS, The members of the City Council are; saddened to learn of the death; of Muhammad Hameedullah Khan of Chicago, who passed away on November 26, 2021, at the age of 80 due to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, Hameedullah Khan moved to Chicago from Pakistan in the early 70s and was a well-known Asian community leader, organizer, and activist who devoted 45 years to Devon Avenue. He was a writer, poet, and publisher who made a tremendous impact on the educational, social, and cultural lives of the 50th Ward over the course of more than four decades; and :
WHEREAS, Hameedullah Khan was a tireless advocate for Pakistani culture and the Urdu language. He founded the Unity Times newspaper in 1987. He also founded the Pakistan Cultural Society in 1976 to promote the rich culture and heritage of Pakistan. Other accomplishments include starting the Pakistan Federation of America Chicago in 1983, founding the first Urdu-Bilingual Council at Hayt Elementary public school, and starting the Urdu World Forum and Unity Enterprises, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Hameedullah Khan was a dedicated member of many cultural organizations. He was a founding member of the Pakistan Independence Day Parade Committee, which brought one of the neighborhood's most popular parades to the 50th Ward. He also served on the director board at Asian Human Services, and was a director for the Asian Advisory Councils of both the Illinois Secretary of State's office and the Illinois State Treasurer's office; and
WHEREAS, Hameedullah Khan was a valued member of the 50th Ward and his loss is strongly felt by us all. He was greatly loved by his family, friends, and the community he served so faithfully; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-third day of June, 2021, mourn the passing of Muhammad Hameedullah Khan, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and
DEBRA L. SILVERSTEIN ALDERMAN - 50TH WARD
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Muhammad Hameedullah Khan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.