In Memory of Sr. Rafia Haniff-Cleofas (رحمها الله)
A beloved mentor, leader, and co-founder of DEEN Support Services
The passing of Sr. Rafia Haniff-Cleofas is a huge loss for our whole community, our DEEN Support Services family, and for me personally as it is for many people with disabilities whose lives she touched.
I first saw Rafia zooming around in her power chair, so independent and happy, playing with a little boy named Abdur Rahman (known today as Shaikh Abdur Rahman Hack) in the Islamic Foundation gym where I attended a community fundraising dinner for Bosnian relief. I was so curious about her. As she would agree, we disabled people are always impressed by others’ disabilities because we see their barriers as greater. Allah (SWT) never gives us more than we can handle. We can handle what we have and not what others have.
She was a devout Muslim with unwavering faith and conviction in her Creator’s Decree. She sought knowledge and shared it generously. One of her proudest moments was acquiring a degree in Islamic Studies.
I later officially met her when she worked in Human Resources at the City of Toronto and I was seeking work. She invited me to an Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO) event and the rest is history. She became my mentor and started me on this path of human rights and disability justice where I found my purpose and she was with me every step of the way.
People often mistook us for each other. What’s in a name? Just the difference between a “b” and “f”. She used a wheelchair after acquiring polio as a toddler in Guyana and I’m blind, born in Pakistan. We were both seen as brown, disabled hijabis by the world.
We started the former Canadian Association of Muslims with Disabilities (CAM-D) together. We established DEEN and Muslims with Disabilities International (MDI). She coordinated and hosted the first Global Conference on Disability in Islam online.
Rafia advocated tirelessly for many causes that were near and dear to her heart, quietly supporting communities in Uganda, Palestine, the Philippines, and here at home in Canada. Her connections brought together different members of our community to the Peer Support Network. She is the glue that holds our DEEN family in Scarborough together and we continue to grow.
Over the years, I counted on her insight, experience and wisdom. At times we disagreed, and that was part of the beauty of our connection as best friends.
On behalf of our board of directors and staff team as well as the people we support, I am eternally grateful. We are sending our heartfelt condolences to her husband, children and the entire family.
May Allah (SWT) grant her the highest place in Paradise and may He give her family patience at this difficult time. May Allah (SWT) help us fulfill her dream of a home in Scarborough for our sisters and brothers with disabilities. Ameen.
— Rabia Khedr, CEO, DEEN Support Services