The Zahoor of Sopore

In the summer of 1997, about thirty of us from Kashmir joined Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for Class XI, unaware it would become our home for years. At Aligarh, in the beginning, we had a tradition of recalling people by their name followed by their district—like Javid from Anantnag, Lateef from Pulwama etc. As friendships deepened, hostel names or academic disciplines replaced the district identifiers.

I vividly remember seeing him for the first time on the lawns of the 2 building at AMU Boys Senior Secondary School. Surrounded by a group of Kashmiri students, he suddenly turned to me and asked, "Are you from Anantnag? I’ve heard about your political skills." Taken aback by his directness, I found myself in an argument before I knew it. Frustrated, I asked someone, "Who is this guy?" The reply came, "He's Zahoor. Zahoor from Sopore. "The next day, he sat beside me in class, smiling mischievously. I think he did it on purpose. Over time, the initial bitterness between Zahoor and me faded, and we became close friends. Eventually, Zahoor and I forged a unique bond that lasted until his untimely departure.

In Aligarh, time spent at the "dabbas" (tea stalls), engaged in endless discussions. Zahoor often led these debates, captivating everyone for hours. Looking back now, I sometimes wonder if all that time spent there was truly worthwhile. Even if you lost an argument to him, you couldn't help but admire him. He had a distinct style of debate that ensured everyone walked away with respect. Looking back on those discussions, I feel he was trying to convey something deeper, which is why he was so passionate. Still, it only began to make sense to me during my visits to him at Kashmir University

The Fountainhead of Kindness

In day-to-day life, Zahoor resembled Howard Roark, the protagonist of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand—a fiercely independent and innovative individual who valued integrity over societal expectations.

He was the first to offer accommodation to newly admitted students who hadn’t yet been allotted rooms.  He had a generous heart. Zahoor would lend money to those considered "repeat defaulters" by others. At his funeral, I met an old friend who had been a frequent borrower to many of us. I asked him if he had been in touch with Zahoor recently. He replied, “No, I haven’t seen or spoken to him since Aligarh. But when I heard of his passing, I rushed here.” Then, he added with a tearful smile, “Zahoor was my last resort when no one else would help.”

Whenever anyone was admitted to the hospital, Zahoor was always the first to volunteer to stay overnight. I vividly remember two occasions when he spent several days caring for our friends who had undergone surgery.

Zahoor had a unique ability to make friends across all age groups. Every month, he introduced a new member to our group, many of whom are now close friends of mine as well

A Transformative Journey

Zahoor left Aligarh probably around 2004 to pursue a master’s degree in Geography at Kashmir University, eventually completing his PhD in the same discipline. The shift from AMU to Kashmir University marked a significant turning point in his life. It is where the Zahoor became Dr Zahoor.  "As they say, change is inevitable, and KU transformed Zahoor—but for the better." He underwent a visible transformation—growing a long beard and adopting a more religious lifestyle. Despite this change, Zahoor remained humble and never looked down on others, a tendency often seen in such shifts. Though his discussions became more grounded in everyday life, the kindness and compassion that defined Zahoor remained unchanged.

I'm confident that his later years—the KU phase and his time as a teacher—were even more impactful than the first.  However, I may not be the best person to tell that story. As his brother-in-law mentioned yesterday, "We didn’t fully understand Zahoor," and I couldn't agree more.

For this reason, I believe a friend from his KU days, a colleague from his school, or one of his students could narrate those phases far better than I ever could.

The Final Farewell

I don't exactly remember when we last met in person, but we often used to talk over the phone.  I’ll conclude with a message I sent to our WhatsApp group of six friends who studied at AMU just days before his passing:

“Zahoor bhai, we love you all. Allha aap ko apni hifzi amaan main Rekhai”. This was followed unintentionally by one WhatsApp forward of an Urdu couplet:

Na gor-e-Sikandar, na hai qabr-e-Dara

Mite naamiyon ke nishan kaise kaise"

I never knew that would be one of our last conversations. I am confident that Allah has blessed him with better companions now. Insha’Allah.

The Zahoor of Sopore is no more. He breathed his last on November 27, 2024, at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

 Dr Malik Zubair Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar