A tragedy that claimed the lives of a father and son has resulted in a profound connection between a grieving family and the Muslim community in St. John’s.
When Pakistani and U.K. businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman died in the Titan disaster off Newfoundland in June of 2023, the local Muslim Association agreed to host the funeral service in absentia, rallying around the Dawood family who traveled to St. John’s from London.
Suleman and Shazhada Dawood (via Engro Corporation)
Shahzada’s father, Hussein Dawood, was so grateful for the kindness shown to them, he offered the local Muslim Association any support he could provide.
Muslim Association President Hasseem Khan says when Dawood learned that the local congregation was seeking a second location for a Mosque, he was happy to help.
“His question was; ‘How much do you need?’ and we told him,” and he said “‘Okay, you got it, go ahead and proceed.'” Khan says the elder Dawood also agreed to provide funding toward renovations to the old Mary Queen of Peace church building in St. John’s.
The building is now known as the Suleman Dawood Mosque in honour of the young man who passed away on what was supposed to have been the adventure of a lifetime.
