Mohammed Asad Ashraf

Mohammed Asad Ashraf passed away on May 30, 2017 at Sunset Village in Sylvania, OH, surrounded by his family. He was given many duas (supplications) right up until his last breath. He was born in Hyderabad, India 8/29/1942 to Mohammed Ahmed Ashraf and Samdani Pasha. He was the 6th of 7 siblings, 5 of whom are living in the USA. He was educated at Osmania University before emigrating to Pakistan in 1967. He married Ismat Sultan in 1968 in Karachi, Pakistan. They enjoyed 49 years together. He began working for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Karachi, continuing his work with them when he emigrated to the United States in 1973. Ismat came in 1974. He worked for Pfizer in NW Ohio for over 20 years. He was well known to the medical community because of his work, of which he was very proud. Dad lived for his family. He was most proud of his children Ali, Aliya, Nadia and Sana. He loved them so much and beamed with pride whenever he saw them. His grandchildren were also a source of great pride and happiness for him. We were always so happy to see him play with them, laugh with them and to see him be extremely proud of their achievements. Their achievements were his achievements. He loved to cook and was well known for his Hyderabadi biryani. He knew his dishes were a success when he saw that the serving dish was empty. He loved people and would eagerly strike up a conversation with a stranger as if he knew them for years. He demanded the best of people and was happy to see others succeed. He loved a good party. If there was good music, singing and dancing, you could guarantee he’d be taking part. If the food was good, or not, you’d know it by asking him. He loved to tell funny stories and to laugh with others. Dad loved movies and helped Ismat run their video store along with their daughter Aliya. He was very proud of the fact that Aliya serves as the principal of Ridgewood School, where her children have attended, in Springfield, OH. He was so happy to be able to see Ali get remarried to a wonderful woman, as well as see the birth of his tenth grandchild, Zakaria, just last year. He was a proud member of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo since its inception. He loved the Center and everything it stood for. He spoke often of Imam Khattab and the knowledge he gained from the Imam’s sermons. He attended Imam Eid’s lectures and sermons as well, right up until illness kept him from attending. He knew the Center was a source of pride for the Muslim community of NW Ohio, of which he was a longstanding member. His dream was to see it thrive and was perhaps most proud that his daughter Nadia, who serves as its current President, and another daughter Sana as a member of its Council. We, his family, loved him dearly and will miss his smile, his humor, and his loving embraces. We knew when we made him proud, we were accepted by a man who had high standards, and it gave us great happiness. He is survived by his wife Ismat, his children Ali (Saba), Aliya (Mujeeb Ranginwala), Nadia (Nadeem Moghal), Sana (Sohail Ali), and his grandchildren, as well as his siblings Mohammed Akbar Ashraf, Afzalunnisa Islam, Afsarunnisa Hussain, Mohammed Azhar Ashraf, Adeebunnisa Ali Khan, Mohammed Abdul Khader Ashraf, and many nieces and nephews who cared for him deeply. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 12:30pm at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo with burial at Highland Memory Gardens, Waterville, OH. Arrangements are being handled by Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, Perrysburg, OH (419-874-3133). Condolences to the family may be made by visiting www.witzlershank.com.