{"id":10800,"date":"2025-10-29T15:30:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/habib.edu.pk\/HU-news\/?p=10800"},"modified":"2026-02-02T15:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T10:58:33","slug":"a-life-of-purpose-habib-university-pays-tribute-to-founding-chancellor-rafiq-m-habibs-enduring-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/habib.edu.pk\/HU-news\/a-life-of-purpose-habib-university-pays-tribute-to-founding-chancellor-rafiq-m-habibs-enduring-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"A Life of Purpose: Habib University Pays Tribute to Founding Chancellor Rafiq M. Habib\u2019s Enduring Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Habib University hosted a heartfelt tribute titled \u201cA Life of Purpose: Honoring Rafiq M. Habib\u2019s Legacy\u201d<\/em> at the IDEAL – Institute of Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership to celebrate the life and contributions of its Founding Chancellor, the late Rafiq M. Habib<\/strong>. The solemn yet inspiring afternoon was attended by his wife Mrs.\u00a0Jamila Rafiq M. Habib<\/strong>, members of the Habib family, the University\u2019s Board of Governors, faculty, students, donors, and friends of the institution.<\/p>\n

Honoring a Life Rooted in Faith and Service<\/h3>\n

The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Qur\u2019an by Mr.\u00a0Habib\u2019s granddaughters, Zehra Merchant and Zehra Hassan, followed by a Fateha<\/em> for his departed soul. The event opened with the Qur\u2019anic verse (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:62) that Mr.\u00a0Habib often reflected upon:
\n> \u201cIndeed, the believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabians \u2014 whoever truly believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good \u2014 will have their reward with their Lord; there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

This verse, embodying his inclusive and compassionate worldview, anchored the spirit of the event \u2014 a reflection on a life lived with humility, faith, and a deep commitment to education as service to humanity.<\/p>\n

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A short documentary, \u201cA Life of Purpose: A Legacy That Continues to Inspire,\u201d<\/em> traced Rafiq M. Habib\u2019s journey \u2014 from his role as a transformative business leader in the House of Habib to a pioneering philanthropist who redefined giving in Pakistan. Under his leadership, the Habib family made Pakistan\u2019s largest private contribution to higher education \u2014 over USD 40 million \u2014 to establish Habib University. This historic act, the film recalled, \u201creshaped philanthropy in Pakistan, turning charity into institution-building.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Reflections on a Visionary Life<\/h3>\n

Dr.\u00a0Mark Weichold, representing the Board of Governors, paid tribute to Rafiq Sahab\u2019s empathy, discipline, and moral clarity.
\n> \u201cHe saw this university not as a project but as a trust \u2014 a gift to the nation \u2014 to nurture generations of thoughtful, ethical, and creative leaders,\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr.\u00a0Weichold said. He credited Mr.\u00a0Habib for laying the foundation for a new liberal-arts-based model of higher education in Pakistan and for creating the TOPS (Talent Opportunity, Promotion & Support)<\/strong> Program that opened doors for students from underserved communities.<\/p>\n

Incoming Chancellor Mr.\u00a0Muhammad H. Habib<\/strong>, nephew of Rafiq M. Habib, recalled his uncle\u2019s entrepreneurial drive and social vision.
\n> \u201cHabib University was the most challenging and meaningful venture of his life,\u201d
\nhe shared.
\n> \u201cHe used to say it required more time and capital than any business he had ever undertaken \u2014 yet promised immeasurable rewards for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Family Tributes: Remembering a Father, Mentor, and Guide<\/h3>\n

Mr.\u00a0Habib\u2019s daughter Ms.\u00a0Atiqa Habib<\/strong> delivered a moving reflection on her father\u2019s life of discipline, gratitude, and quiet faith.
\n> \u201cEven in his darkest moments, Papa would say Alhamdulillah.<\/em> He believed the best legacy is not what you leave for<\/em> people but what you leave in<\/em> them,\u201d
\nshe said.<\/p>\n

His son Mr.\u00a0Mohamedali Rafiq Habib<\/strong>, member of the University\u2019s Board of Governors and Chair of the Habib University Foundation\u2019s Board of Directors, spoke as both a son and a steward of the legacy:
\n> \u201cHe was truly both a Rafiq and a Habib \u2014 a gentle friend and a beloved soul. He taught us that true leadership lies in enabling others and in building institutions that outlive us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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President Rizvi\u2019s Address: A Rare Soul Who Built a Moral Compass<\/h3>\n

Habib University President Wasif A. Rizvi<\/strong> offered heartfelt reflections on his decade-long partnership with Rafiq Sahab. Recalling his integrity and optimism, he said:
\n> \u201cTo create an institution of this scale and purpose in Pakistan was no ordinary task. He had the courage to dream of a \u2018bigger boat\u2019 \u2014 one that would carry the hopes of a generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Rizvi added that Mr.\u00a0Habib\u2019s rare combination of humility and courage \u201cturned philanthropy into a moral act of nation-building.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Panel Discussion: The Beauty of Generosity<\/h3>\n

A highlight of the event was the panel \u201cCreating a Legacy of Purpose: The Beauty of Generosity,\u201d<\/em> moderated by President Rizvi and featuring four distinguished leaders: Mr.\u00a0Shahbaz Yasin Malik<\/strong> (CEO, Hilton Pharma), Mr.\u00a0Ahsan Saleem<\/strong> (Founder, The Citizens Foundation), Mr.\u00a0Atif Bajwa<\/strong> (CEO, Bank Alfalah), and Mr.\u00a0Asif Peer<\/strong> (CEO, Systems Limited). A special video tribute by Mr.\u00a0Syed Babar Ali<\/strong> urged the establishment of an endowment in Rafiq M. Habib\u2019s memory to sustain his vision of accessible, world-class education.<\/p>\n

Mr.\u00a0Ahsan Saleem observed:
\n> \u201cRafiq Sahab led with humility \u2014 the truest mark of leadership. He showed that doing good is possible when trust and transparency guide every step.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr.\u00a0Shahbaz Yasin Malik reflected on Rafiq Sahab\u2019s enduring influence:
\n> \u201cHe taught us that philanthropy is not charity \u2014 it is legacy. He made us believe that education can transform a nation if we all play our part.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr.\u00a0Atif Bajwa added:
\n> \u201cHe redefined corporate leadership in Pakistan \u2014 teaching us that our real success lies not in profits but in building people and purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr.\u00a0Asif Peer concluded:
\n> \u201cRafiq M. Habib\u2019s vision was to connect industry and education so that learning creates leaders \u2014 leaders who build Pakistan\u2019s future with ethics and excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A Legacy That Lives On<\/h3>\n

The evening closed with remarks from Mr.\u00a0Mohomed Bashir<\/strong>, Chair of the Board of Governors, who expressed gratitude to the Habib family, the Board, and Habib University\u2019s community of supporters.
\n> \u201cRafiq Sahab\u2019s life reminds us that the truest form of generosity is to build for others what we may never use ourselves,\u201d he said. \u201cHis vision will continue to guide this institution for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

As guests gathered for high tea, the event left a resounding message: that the legacy of Rafiq M. Habib \u2014 his faith, his wisdom, and his belief in education as an act of service \u2014 will continue to shape Habib University and inspire a more thoughtful, generous Pakistan.<\/p>\n