Iman Jasim, a pillar of the Muslim American community, dies at 58

Bisma Parvez | Detroit Free Press

Iman Jasim (Um Omar) was an immigrant from Iraq, a teacher, a leader, an author, a humanitarian, a mother of six and most importantly, a pillar in the Muslim community.

Jasim died on Wednesday in Dearborn Heights. She was 58.

Born Jan. 1, 1961, Jasim immigrated to the United States in 1982 with her husband and two children. She leaves behind her husband Raad Jasim and six children.

Jasim's son, Omar Raad, shared with family and friends that his mother "dedicated her life to serving others, and has left an irreplaceable void. There are no words that could articulate the loss we as a family feel right now. Please remember her and the entire family in your prayers."

Muslim Americans across the country are expressing their loss.

"I am devastated," Linda Sarsour, co-chair of the Women's March, posted on Facebook. "Just learned that Um Umar from Michigan has passed away. She is a legend, a leader and a mentor to hundreds. She was one of the most productive and humble leaders in the country and had committed her entire life to helping orphans."

Jasim's mission was to help orphans, a quality she learned from her father, she told Detroit Metro Times.

During the Syrian civil war, Jasim expanded her work to help as many refugees and orphans as she could. She wrote a book, "A Cup of Mint Tea," giving half of proceeds to aid orphans in Syria, according to Silmi.

First published in 2012, "A Cup of Mint Tea" has 6 volumes in Arabic and English. It's a series of short stories to warm the heart.

"She was a strong Muslim woman who wasn't scared of what others thought and never wavered in her faith. She always had a smile on her face. She always had good to say about others," said Shayma Mustafa, Wayne State professor, author, and board member of the KBK Relief Foundation. "She departed and left many of us with broken hearts today."

Jasim raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support orphans around the world, according to the Launchgood website. However, her work went beyond monetary donations. in 2017, she traveled to Jordan and dangerous areas in Iraq to serve people in need and provide basic necessities like milk, sugar, water and eggs.

Jasim's latest project mission was to raise enough money to feed and care for 200 Yemeni orphans for a year.

Abdullah Jasim, a social media influencer and Iman Jasim's son, was offered an all-expense paid trip to take his mother to Mecca for umrah, a pilgrimage that can be taken any time of the year in the Islamic tradition, Instead of going on the trip, Jasim wanted to use the money for her cause.

"I'd rather help 50 orphans with necessitates for a year than go on a trip," she told her son.

Raad said, "Her six children and 18 nieces and nephews we will continue her book drive, orphan drive and continue to donate in her name."

In hopes of honoring her legacy, the Jasim family and community members are raising funds to support even more orphans around the world. A reputable organization will be chosen to administer the funds on her behalf, according to the Launchgood campaign.

Omar Sulaiman, American Muslim scholar and political activist, shared her campaign on Facebook. "'To honor her legacy, her children, mentees and students wish to continue her legacy of caring for orphans all over the world by means of this fund. Her last post was about this."

A true testament to her cause, Jasim died the day she was invited for her free trip to Mecca and, through the campaign in her honor, raised over $65,000 the day she died.

"She was a mother to the community and people have every right to honor her and grieve for her," Afraa Jasim said.

Jasim's funeral service will be held at the American Moslem Society (Masjid Dix), 9945 Vernor Hwy., on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. after duhur, the Islamic afternoon prayer.

Contact Bisma Parvez at 313-222-6420 or bparvez@gannett.com Follow her on Twitter @bismapar