RASHID the mature years

 

Figure 106: Rashid and family  barbeque in the garden at Shahidas house  June 1984

Figure 107: Rashid with sons Soofwan and Rizwan in Leven St September 1984

Figure 108: Rashid and Razia in sitting room of flat in Leven St, the Eid 1984.

It was in April of 1984 that Rashid had learned that his elder brother Dr Abdul Latif Minhas had travelled to London for a heart operation at Guys hospital. He had prepared with Razia to travel to London to be with his brother during this difficult time. After Rashid and Razia had been dropped off at Glasgow Central Station to board the train to London Euston, Rizwan received the sad news from Latifs son, Taseer (who was also in London to support his father) that his father has sadly passed away on the operating table. It was a very difficult for all the family, and particularly since Rashid heard the news upon his arrival in London. It was a regret of Rashids that he did not get a chance to see his elder brother one last time.

Therefore after 3 months when his other elder brother Aziz visited London from Saudi Arabia for a heart by-pass operation, Rashid immediately left to be with his brother. He stayed in London for a number of days to see his elder brother recover before returning to Glasgow. The operation, thankfully, was successful.

Figure 109: Rizwans 21^st birthday: From right; Razia, Rehela, Rashid, Rizwan, Soofwan and Munir. Behind pictured Rizwans friends.

Figure 110: Rashid and Razia with Rizwan at Glasgow University graduation in June 1985.

Rashid had very strong political views his whole life. He was leftist leaning ad since 1956 he had always voted Labour. His interest in British Politics ensured that he always voted in local and national elections, and he even took his young children to the polling station at Pollokshields Primary School, to ensure they also took at interest in the political system, however he was careful not to impose his own political leanings on them.

Figure 111: July 1985 - Rashid enjoying a meal with the family while Shahbaz visits from the USA. From left Rashid, Munir, Shahbaz, Ibrahim, Soofwan and Rizwan.

In June 1985 Rizwan graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from Glasgow University (see Figure 110) and shortly after, in July, he too left for the USA to follow education there. Rashid fully supported his children to be the best they could be and gave them a good degree of latitude. He thought it very important that they knew become independent and make their own way in life. Rizwan went to study at State University of New York and then further at Penn State. During the time Rizwan was in the US Rashid often wrote and telephoned to lend support to his son and to keep up his morale.

Later in 1985 Rashid was blessed with another grandchild, Alia to Robina and early in 1986 Nyla was born to Shahida. By now the family was growing and Rashid and Razia had lots to keep them busy. See Figure 112   :

In the summer of 1986 Soofwan completed his studies and also went to Glasgow University to take Aeronautical Engineering, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. It was in 1986 that Rashid started to take up driving lessons, before that he never felt the need to drive always having subsidized rail travel. Later in 1986 Rashid bought his first car, with some financial assistance from Shahbaz. It was a Vauxhall Nova and Rashid was extremely brought of his first car.

Figure 112  The whole family (other than Shahbaz)  June 1986. From left: Back-row Rashid, Rizwan, Soofwan, Nazish, Ibrahim, Munir. Front row: Shahida, Osmaan (2 yrs), Razia, Neil (2yrs), Rehela, Robina. At front Nyla and Alia (<1 yr)

In 1987 Rehela graduated from Glasgow University. Rashid and Razia attended the graduation and were joined by Rashids cousin Karam Ellahi Moghul. Rehela took a job at British Steel in Motherwell as a Trainee Quality Control Engineer, commuting daily from Pollokshields.

Shortly after Rehelas graduation, in July 1987, Rashid took his first (and last) trip to the United States with Razia, Rehela and Soofwan to visit Shahbaz and Nazish, who were now living in Alabama. The visit was shortly after the birth of Shahbaz's second son, Ayaz. Rashid had mixed feelings about the US. He enjoyed the US freedoms and open space but missed the beauty of Scotland and the comforts of home in Glasgow. Asked by Shahbaz whether he would consider moving to the US, Rashid replied that his heart was set on Scotland. 

In September 1987, at aged 60 years, and after almost 30 years with the same organization, Rashid was offered redundancy at National Carriers Ltd. NCL were downsizing due to still competition from other carriers and courier companies primarily from the US entering the market. Rashid took redundancy to spend more time at home with family and his new grandchildren.

Also at around the same time his photography was seeing somewhat of a reduction due to more and more Glasgow families having video recorders and preferring video photography to stills. Rashid felt he was too old to learn this new skill and the physical exertion of carrying a video camera for hours on end was too much for him. Therefore Rashid slipped happily into retirement.

Retirement at first was a little difficult for Rashid as he was a creature of habit; getting up at the same time, preparing breaking, getting dressed for work, etc. However pretty quickly he formed new routines at home. It was around this time too that Robina and Munir had established a cash and carry business in the Gorbals area for selling leisurewear to trade and the general public. Rashid, who was a good organizer, joined Munir and Robinas business (Macs fashions) to assist in the management of their affairs and set up book-keeping. The flexible hours kept Rashid employed and socially active, and also assisted Robina and Munir. 

Figure 113  : Rashid in the Winter of 1987 in his Jinnah hat

In the summer of 1988 Rizwan returned from the United States to Glasgow. Rizwan started working in the UK and quickly took up a position as a Project Engineer in the Nuclear Industry in Warrington, England. Rashid was glad to have his second son back in the UK. Rashid was keen that the famiily move out of flat in Leven St and the summer of 1988 was spent looking at houses for the family. In September 1988, with the financial support of his sons Rizwan and Shahbaz, Rashid bought a 4 bedroom house on Hillside Rd in the borough of Mansewood. After 32 years in Glasgow Rashid finally had a house with gardens and the comfort of a home he could retire in.

Rashid enjoyed the house in Mansewood. Soofwan and Rehela were living at home and Rizwan would regularly visit from Warrington to meet up with the family. Rashid took to gardening and kept himself busy with calligraphy and other poetic pursuits. His interest in photography was still keen but it was mostly for personal reasons. He ensured frequent visits to the Botanical Gardens, taking photographs of flora and fauna, and he also enjoyed taking images in Glasgow City Centre where he often photographed the mix of old (Victorian buildings) and new (glass buildings) in the same scene.

Figure 114  : Rashid with son Soofwan and son-in-law Munir in garden of Hillside Rd

In the summer of 1990 Soofwan graduated from Glasgow University in Aeronautical Engineering and went on to take a Masters degree in IT at Strathclyde University. Rashid was delighted that all his sons had graduated and all in Aeronautical Engineering.

The early 1990s was a time of active participation in hobbies and pastimes for Rashid. He loved to read, particularly Urdu poetry and history, and engage in Calligraphy. Additionally he continued his love for photography. In 1992 another grandson, Uzair, was born to Shahbaz and Nazish in California and Rashid was extremely pleased with the arrival of another grandson.

In 1992 Rashid made his second visit to Pakistan since he had come to Scotland. It was an emotional return, particularly to meet his brother Aziz and sisters Ameena Begum and Ghulam Fatima. He was not sure when he may see them again and therefore he spent some good quality time with them. He also met with his good friend Hamid (son of Mohammed Shifa) with whom he had spent much of his cherished childhood, and attended the wedding of Hamids son Jameel.

Shortly after his return he was engaged in the marriage plans of Rehela. Rashid and Razia had arranged for the marriage of Rehela to Muzaffer Hussain, son of Dilawar Hussain, a friend of Rashids from Pollokshields. The wedding took place in October 1993.  It was a joyful time for the family and both Shahbaz and cousin Tariq had returned to Glasgow for the wedding. After their honeymoon Rehela and Muzaffer were to move down to East Grinstead (south of London) to live before later returning to Scotland.

The family home was now quieter with the parting of Rehela, with only Soofwan at home in Mansewood. At about this time Rashid stopped working part-time with Robina and Munir and started engaging further with the Glasgow Mosque, making new friends and attempting to engage in activities. It was at this time he started his interest in community services which was to be his main preoccupation for the rest of his days. Additionally Rashid become more active religiously.

The mid 1990s were quiet years for Rashid as he contemplated what to do with his free time. He took a keen interest in gardening and spent a lot of time tending the front and back gardens in the house in Mansewood,

It was in 1994 that Rashid started increasing his involvement with the Glasgow Central Mosque and the associated care of the Muslim community. He spent a lot of time talking with other elderly Muslims in the community and in the Mosque. At that time he grew aware that the community did not provide enough facilities for the welfare (physical and mental) of the Muslim and Asian elderly.

After listening to the concerns of his peers Rashid felt that it was essential to provide for the social needs of the Muslim community to improve their physical and mental well-being. Therefore in May 1994 he got together with other concerned parties in the Mosque Executive Committee; Dr Akram, Taj Bhatti and Bilquis Qadri to lobby the mosque to take on a greater role in providing services for elderly Muslims and mosque activities. These efforts spawned the creation of a daycare centre for Muslims, the Muslim Elderly Daycare Centre, supported by the Glasgow City Council Social Services. This created a new focus in Rashids life for the rest of his days as he became passionately involved with social care.

In November 1996 whilst Rizwan was visiting Glasgow, Rashid had a stroke and was taken to hospital. He remained in hospital at the Victoria Infirmary for five days whilst the doctors carried out tests. He recovered quickly and was released. However following his stroke Rashid completely changed his diet, reducing his intake of red meat and dairy products and began to eat more salads, fresh fruit and wholemeal bread.

In December 1996, Rizwan got engaged to Saliha Khand, daughter of Zarina Khand a local well-known schoolteacher. Rizwan and Saliha were married in the Glasgow Mosque on the 11^th April 1997, see Figure 116. The couple moved down to Hampshire and bought a family home in Hook.

Figure 116: Wedding of Rizwan and Saliha (April 1997)  from left; Soofwan, Rashid, Abdul Hamid (cousin of Rashid and son of Fazal Ellahi), Munir (Robinas husband), Muzaffer (Rehelas husband), Rehela, Rizwan, Nyla (Shahidas daughter).

In late 1997, Rashid and Razia started to organize the marriage of Soofwan, their only unmarried son. Soofwan had met Samia, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Ramzan from Forfar, and the two quickly formed a liking to each other. The couple were married in the Spring of 1998 in Glasgow, at a venue in Rutherglen, with the Walima was held at a venue in the West End of the city. After their marriage, in September 1999, Soofwan and Samia moved into the family home in Mansewood with Soofwan and Samia working locally. Having his son and daughter-in-law around was a great help.

With all his obligations to his family with regards their marriages now complete, Rashid could now consider his plans for completing Hajj (the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca). Therefore Rashid and Razia discussed this with their son, Rizwan. It was agreed that Rashid and Razia would join Rizwan and Saliha to perform Hajj together and in March of 1998 they flew down to London to join Rizwan. The four flew to Jeddah (via Amman, Jordan) on Royal Jordanian arriving for an experience of a lifetime. Once arriving in Mecca the four were faced with the chaos of Hajj, having to register and be transported to Mecca where they stayed in very basic accommodation in Mecca. They were joined in Mecca by Imtiaz (son of Qamar ud-Din & Sofia Rashids cousins) and Yasmin (daughter of Inam-ul-Haq and Sughara). It was a difficult ten days battling with the heat, crowds and sickness, with only basic facilities. Rashid at one point collapsed with a minor stroke and hypertension in the crowds at Mina, and was rushed to hospital. But, with the grace of God, Rashid with his wife and the rest of the group completed the Hajj successfully. At the completion of Hajj, Rashid and Razia parted for Madina, where they spend 10 days in prayer at the Prophets tomb. It was a time of reflection for both. By the time Rashid had returned to the UK he had caught dysentery and was quite unwell. Rashid spent a few days recovering with Rizwan and Saliha in Hampshire, before finally being strong enough to travel to Glasgow. Both Rashid and Razia had completed Hajj but it had left them both physically exhausted. Rashid had decided that he did not wish to travel internationally any more. The Hajj trip was to be his last international travel. The rest of 1998 was spent recuperating at home in Mansewood.

Figure 117: Summer of 1999 with son Soofwan at Soofwans in-laws in Forfar

In summer of 1999 Rashid developed strong abdominal pains and was immediately driven to hospital by Soofwan and Samia. He was admitted into the Victoria where it was discovered, after performing blood tests, that he had developed pancreatitis. After some procedures his pancreas improved and the doctors asked Rashid whether he wished for the pancreas to be operated on. Rashid at this time declined fearing further complications resulting from operation. He was discharged a few days later feeling much better. But the pancreas problem had not disappeared and lay dormant for a number of years, only to resurface tragically later in his life.

After the summer of 1999, following a period of almost a year living in Mansewood, Soofwan and Samia decided to take a place of their own and moved out to a home in Robslee Crescent in Giffnock, less than a mile away from their Rashid. They still visited Rashid and Razia regularly and to keep an eye on their parents.

At the same time, in September 1999, Rizwan and Saliha left the UK. Rizwan was to take up a position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was to be a five year assignment for Rizwan and although the couple returned regularly, they did not return permanently to the UK till 2004.

During the late 90s Rashids involvement with the Glasgow Central Mosque grew. He had started the Muslim Elderly Daycare Centre and was beginning to work on other projects. The centre was to create activities for the elderly folk. These included exercise classes, field trips, arts and crafts classes, heathcare visits and dietary advice.

Rashids activities with the newly-started Muslim Elderly Daycare Centre kept him busy and pre-occupied. Everybody appreciated his voluntary and tireless support to improve the well-being of the elderly community.

In the Summer of 2000 Rizwan and Saliha returned to Glasgow as Saliha was expecting. In July of 2000 they had their first baby and named her Amber.  Rashid was delighted.

Figure 118: July 2000 Rashid holding baby Amber at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow

It was on the night of the 5th of May 2001 that Rashid learned of the passing away of his last brother Abdul Aziz in Lahore. Rashid was very saddened by the news as he was extremely close to Aziz, who was a true gentle and considerate person and despite his many ailments always wished well of others. Rashid always looked up to him and was disappointed in that he was not able to attend the funeral.

Figure 119 Aziz (Rashids elder brother) Lahore in January 2001 shortly before his passing

Figure 120   : Rashid  at the first birthday of Amber in July 2001, with nieces and nephew Alia, Nyla and Neil in background.

On the 15^th of January 2002 Rashid celebrated his 75^th birthday. The family all got together and took Rashid for a special meal to celebrate at the Village restaurant in Glasgow. Dressed immaculately, as usual, he remarked how he looked and felt great for his age and joked about how me intended to make it a full century. 

In the same year Rashid took delivery of his first personal computer which he loved. He was able to use the internet and daily visited the 'Jang' and 'Dawn' websites to learn about the latest events from Pakistan.

Figure 121 : Rashid celebrated three-quarters of a century (15^th January 2002) at the Village restaurant in  Glasgow with son and daughter Soofwan and Robina.

Figure 122 - Rashid with son-in-law, Muzaffer 2003 at 32 Hillside Rd

In 2003, Rashid started to develop cataracts in his eyes. As a result he was taken to hospital and after consultation the cataracts were removed. He was offered the chance to improve his vision with laser surgery at the time and Rashid accepted. Rashid, who was always very short-sighted from birth had his vision significantly improved and was able to wear very light spectacles that significantly improved his quality of life and image.

Figure 123 - Rashid in Summer 0f 2004 after his eye surgery at home in Hillside Rd

Although Rashids health was stable during the early 2000s, unknown to him, his pancreas was not functioning properly. Its main role of producing digestive enzymes to help digestion was not being carried out. Therefore his food was not being digested properly and the release of toxins as a result was resulting in quite severe rashes on his skin. He had the local doctor and other specialists carry out many tests during this time, however they could not relate this to the abnormal function of the pancreas.

Figure 124 - Rashid Autumn 2004 with nephew Subhan at Hillside Rd

In the Summer of 2004 Rizwan and family returned to the UK, after 5 years in Saudi Arabia. The family moved down to England and the Milton Keynes area after Rizwan took up a job there. Rizwan and Saliha regularly visited Rashid in Glasgow at the weekends.

In 2004 Rashid started additionally working with Age Concern Scotland, an independent, recognised charity working throughout Scotland to help make the lives of older people more secure and comfortable. He liaised closely with the Equalities Section of Age Concern Scotland, headed up by Helena Scott, and supported Helena in targeting resources towards the Muslim elderly persons. He connected the Muslim Elderly Daycare Center with the Age Concern facilities projecting the image of ethnic minorities, not only Muslim but all Asians, and worked to promote equality and diversity within the boundaries of City Council.  He was the delegated spokesperson for the group and worked tirelessly to promote the needs of the elderly in Glasgow. His involvement in calligraphy was an innovative activity at the centre and he instructed many of the other members of the group to lean this skill and contribute.

In 2005 Rashid became an Executive Member of the management committee of the Muslim Elderly Daycare centre and one of the honored signatories for the centers account.  He played a key role in raising its budget from around #10,000 annually to almost a quarter of a million pounds by lobbying from funding from the Scottish Executive and other government sources. Dr Iqbal Anwar was the Chairman of the Muslim Elderly Daycare Centre and relied heavily on Rashid for his energy and unwavering support to the cause of the Glasgow Asian elderly.

As photography was his passion, Rashid was always at forefront to support and capture photographic memories of every cultural and social event for the elderly group. He also contributed with the production of videos of these events.

Figure 125- Rashid Summer of 2005 photograph taken for book 'Black and White' on Elderly Scots in the community

Rashid was always politically active and never missed voting at the elections. He was a staunch Labour party supporter and had a great deal of respect for the traditional labour values of Harold Wilson, Dennis Healey, Tony Benn and James Callaghan. However since 2003 due to the Labour support for the Gulf Way he abstained from voting, as a result of his very strong disagreement with the Labour party over the War in Iraq.

Figure 126  : Summer of 2005, Rashid with sons Shahbaz and Rizwan on the patio at 32 Hillside Rd

Figure 127 : Summer 2005, Rashid with nephew Imtiaz (son of Qamar-ud-Din) in 32 Hillside Rd

In the Summer of 2006 Shahbaz and Nazish visited Glasgow with family and Rashid and Razia spent some good quality time with Shahbaz including many barbeques and trips up North to the Scottish Highlands.

However the same summer Rashid's skin problems worsened with the heat. He was not aware at that time that the rashes he was experiencing were related to his pancreas malfunctioning. He avoided spending too much time in the sun and instead spent more time indoors on his calligraphy and reading.

Figure 128  : Summer 2006 - Rashid sharing a light moment with Shahbaz and son-in-law Muzaffer

Once during a visit in June 2007 to the recently re-furbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow at the 'New Scots' exhibition, Rashid was very pleased to see two photographs he had personally taken being displayed, they were two color photos of a Pakistani bride he had taken in 1976.

The year 2007 was a great year for Rashid. First he celebrated his 80th birthday on the 15th January 2007. He had survived many of his kin and looked and felt great for his age. Rehela and Muzaffer and the rest of the family in Glasgow came to wish him Happy Birthday.

Also in the same year Rashid was to be a grandfather three times over. In July 2007, baby Malaika was born to Soofwan and Samia. Also in November 2007, twins Amir and Amara were born to Rizwan and Saliha. By this time he was the proud grandfather of thirteen children. He was completely devoted to his grandchildren.

Figure 129  :  Rehela (Lily) and Muzaffer presenting Rashid with the birthday gift of a new printer for his computer

Figure 130: Rashid with baby twin Amir born to Rizwan in November 2007

Figure 131 : Rashid with baby twin Amara born to Rizwan in November 2007

Figure 132  : Rashid with grandchildren, baby Amir and Amber in January 2008

Figure 133  : Rashid with baby Malaika (Soofwans daughter) in early 2008

Figure 134: Spring 2008 -Rashid visiting 14 West End Park (former home in 1961)

Figure 135 : Spring 2008 -Rashid attending the 'Beyond The Palace Walls: Islamic Art' exhibition in Edinburgh

Figure 136  : August 2008 - Rashid in red fez cap with friends and mosque elders at the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations at the Glasgow Central Mosque.  

Figure 137  : August 2008- Rashid and Razia shortly after the wedding of the son of Aftab Minhas (son of Lal Minhas) in Glasgow