BY MALIK MERCHANT
Anaar Naran (1936 – 2017) pictured at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now known as the Canadian Museum of History) during her visit to Ottawa, Canada, in 2011. Photo: Simerg/Malik Merchant.
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of a beloved family friend, educator and teacher par excellence, Anaar Naran, at the age of 81. She passed away peacefully in Richmond, Virginia, USA, on the morning of Thursday, September 14, 2017. Her funeral ceremonies will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 2 pm in Richmond.
She leaves behind her children Amyn, Navyn and Naaznyn. She was predeceased by her husband Mr. Badrudin Naran in 1979 at the age of 48, and brother Zafar. She also leaves behind her brother Fazli and sister Farida.
Anaar Naran will be remembered by her students, their parents and her colleagues as a fine and inspiring teacher during her tenure at the Aga Khan Primary School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the 1960’s. Her friends and family members will remember her as a committed and hard-working educator throughout her lifetime. She always carried a beautiful smile and exuded warmth and happiness. Anaar was absolutely dedicated to her faith as an Ismaili Muslim, and her love for Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, was immense that when she talked about him, her face glowed with happiness. She remained an avid reader of literature until the last days of her life, encouraging even her daughter Navyn to produce poems.
At this sad time, our thoughts go to Mrs. Naran’s children and grandchildren, and we convey our condolences to the family of the deceased.
We pray for the eternal peace of the soul of Mrs. Anaar Naran, and for the strength of her family members at this difficult time.
Date posted: September 18, 2017.
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Anaar was an one of the nicest human beings I have met. I used to meet her in Dar in Chafoogoga when visiting my mama BhachoDogo.
The families of Amyn, Naaznyn and Navyn thank everyone for their prayers, wishes, warm thoughts and reflections for our beloved mother who passed away on September 14. Please know that your support has brought strength and solace to the entire family.
It was only last week during a mini reunion in Calgary of some classmates (including Zauher Megji, Gulam Nanji, Hamid Mohamed, Rustam Kassam, Azim Bhimji and Navroze Bhatia) that we remembered Mrs. Naran. She has been instrumental in the success of many students that she taught including me. I was able to get a scholarship to study medicine and go on to do a specialization in Radiation Oncology. She would have been very proud. May Mawla rest her soul in eternal peace. Amen.
Alnoor Chagpar
Our deepest condolences to the family. I remember Anar very much. She was one of the best teachers and ensured that all the students did well in their academic year. She will be sorely missed. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
I wish to offer prayers on this sad occasion of loss (Innallilahi wa innailayhirajiun), may her soul attain eternal peace and rest, may her family be granted solace, succour and strength.
I cannot but express the highest esteem and deepest gratitude to all our teachers at Aga Khan Boys (ni shule yetu, imejengwa pale Upanga kwenye hewa nzuri), who shaped us, our character, our dreams and inspired and enabled us one day to give back to the community. Because what we are today owes a debt to their example, conduct, hard work, labour of love and sacrifice.
Theirs is one of the most enduring influences on our impressionable minds. We looked up at them as true leaders, and will never forget them. We shall meet again Insh’Allah, and bear witness to their noble service (khidmat) and honour.
Anaar bai you will be missed. I pray that her soul may rest in eternal peace and that Mawla Bapa give strength to the family to overcome this difficult time.
A wonderful warm-hearted lady. May your soul rest in eternal peace.
Rozina and Amyn Teja and family
My prayers for a very talented and dedicated soul. May she rest in eternal peace. Condolences and prayers for Anar’s families for their loss. I met them in Dar es salaam. This is a sad loss.
Farida Jamani (Bhimji)
She was my Primary School teacher in Dar es Salaam. I remember her as a very kind and caring person. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Sad news. She was one my favorite teachers. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.
We didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Anaar Naran, however, she leaves a fine legacy of her achievements and her family will be very proud of her immense contribution to the community. We pray for her soul to rest in peace and offer our condolences to her family. Salaams.
Joy and Mohamed Damji
Very kind and loving individual. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen. May Mawla give strength and courage to the family to go thru this difficult time.
May Allah rest her soul in eternal peace. Amen.
We grew up at Chafu Kogo Dar.
Fateh and Zarina Madhani (chada)
May Mawla rest her soul in peace. I pray for strength and courage for the family. She was my teacher in Dar es Salaam and I only have the fondest memories of her. Bless her soul. Amen,
Dearest Anaar Aunty,
We pray your soul rests in eternal peace and happiness.
You told us you were leaving us, and we didn’t think it would be so quickly.
Thank you for the gift of our wonderful conversation and you lovely card.
With Love,
Arzina
Mrs. Naran was my teacher. I never saw her after I left Africa in 1970.
Rest in Peace.
Karimshah bless her soul in eternal peace. I was in that school from 1960 to 1966 and then moved to Mtwara.
Sorry to here sad news of Anaar’s passing. I knew her from back home. She was in Agakhan Primary School and my father Karim Master was there teaching at the secondary. May Allah rest her soul in peace. Ameen.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
May Allah rest her soul in peace.
Rest in peace. Amen.
May Allah rest her soul in eternal peace.
Fond memories of Anaar Naran. She was my Class teacher in Grades 1 and 6 and was one of our teachers when we did HSC! All through my school years. Condolences to her family. May Allah her soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
Moez Virji
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
I am sorry to hear about her death. I met her 5 months ago with her daughter with whom she lives, and every summer we used to meet in Canada. May God her soul in eternal peace.
Rest in peace. Amen.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Rest in peace.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
May she rest in peace
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
Rest in peace.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Anaar bahen will always be remembered. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Amen,
We love you Anaar Auntie. May you rest in eternal peace. Ameen
Rest in peace ANAAR after your wonderful journey through this transient passage to eternity – we grew up together as neighbors and shared wonderful times.
Condolences expressed by the following individuals via Facebook: Karim Hamiya, Wais Sakhizada, Muhammad Mukhtar Alam, Asadullah Turkmani Noori, Sultan Jessa, Samir Visram, Anil Mussani, Rikin Bardai, Shamim Dewji, Nasir Vasni, Anar Manji, Jamil Premji, Tasneem Kassam, Karima Khanmohamed, Al-karim Dewji, Yasmin Nanji…
Rest in Peace.
Mohamed Aldahoul (via Facebook).
Rest in Peace.
Gulfroze Valli (via Facebook)
Rest in Peace
Shemin Hussen (via Facebook)
May Allah rest her soul in eternal peace. Ameen.
Salim Rajan (via Facebook)
I attended the Aga Khan Boys Primary School in Dar-es-salam for one year (1965) but did not have Ms Anar Naran as my teacher, so never really got to know her. May her soul rest in peace.
I had the pleasure of meeting Anaar aunty and Navyn in Boston in November 2015. I remember her as being a very kind and a special person whose words touch you in a way that words and sentiments in a way that words can’t express. We pray for her soul to rest in eternal peace & that the family be granted the courage and strength to carry them through this most difficult time.
Hanif Lalani