Report by: Irfan Siddiqui – Tokyo, Japan
Life in Japan for most Pakistanis means living thousands of miles away from home, family, and familiar comfort. Yet in moments of sorrow and celebration, the community comes together with such warmth and solidarity that the feeling of distance disappears. This was vividly evident at a deeply spiritual event held in Saitama, Japan, at the renowned Yashiwo Mosque, where the Pakistani diaspora gathered to pay tribute and offer Eisale-Sawab (prayers for the deceased) for the late father of Shahid Majeed Advocate, President of Pakistan People’s Party Japan and Chairman of the Kashmir Solidarity Forum.
The late father of Shahid Majeed Advocate had recently passed away in Pakistan, and in his memory, a Quran recitation and prayer gathering was organized in Japan. What followed was not just a formal event—it became a moving testament to the bond shared by overseas Pakistanis. Dozens of people from across Japan traveled to participate in this noble cause, demonstrating that even in exile, hearts beat in unison when it comes to grief and remembrance.
The event began with a beautiful recitation of the Holy Qur’an by the respected Qari Ali Hassan, Chairman of Tajweed-ul-Quran Islamic Center Japan. This was followed by a soul-touching Naat (praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) delivered by Al-Haj Fawad Sahib, whose melodious voice added a spiritual fragrance to the ambiance.
Imam Uzir Sahib, the lead cleric of Yashiwo Mosque, conducted the complete recitation of the Qur’an (Khatm-e-Qur’an), while the concluding prayer (Dua-e-Khas) was delivered with profound emotion by Hafiz Kamer Sahib, Imam of Masjid Isa Saki. The heartfelt supplication moved the attendees to tears, filling the mosque with an atmosphere of humility and remembrance.
A significant highlight of the event was the participation of Air Commodore Malik Yasir Shafiq, Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo. His attendance added official recognition and gravitas to the gathering. Offering personal condolences to Shahid Majeed Advocate, his gestures spoke volumes—gentle words, a hand on the shoulder, a sincere embrace; all symbols of shared human compassion.
The list of attendees read like a who’s who of Pakistanis in Japan, representing various political, religious, and community organizations. Among them were PPP Japan’s General Secretary Mirza Khalil Baig, Information Secretary Yousuf Ali, Youth President Mirza Hassan Baig, General Secretary Haider Ali, and senior members Yasir Gilani, Fayyaz Sherwani, and Muhammad Anees.
Chaudhry Asif Mehmood, a member of OPF Board of Directors; Rana Waheed, former PIA officer; Abdul Rahman Siddiqui, Chairman of the International Muslim Center; and Dr. Saleem Rehman, Chairman of the Hilal Committee Japan, along with Altaf Ghafar, Secretary of Information, were also present.
From PML-N Japan, Rana Abrar Hussain (Patron-in-Chief), Malik Younas (Chairman), Mirza Akram (Senior Vice President), Malik Riaz Jelani, Sheikh Arif Mahmood, Aamir Dar, Malik Sarwar, and youth leaders such as Kashif Awan, Ali Awan, Atif Bhatti, and Abdul Hameed Sacho attended in support.
Representatives of PTI Japan included former President Javed Niazi, General Secretary Dolat Khan, Chaudhry Hammad, Islam Khan, Malik Sajid, and Mudasar Ghumman. Similarly, Malik Mumtaz Awan of Minhaj-ul-Quran Japan, Ishrat Hashmi (former Ameer of Islamic Circle of Japan), and renowned religious scholars Allama Shakil Thani and Mufti Rizwan Yousufi also attended.
Names like Raees Siddiqui, Malik Saleem Boueki, Raja Atique, Taya Amjad, Ubaid Butt, Malik Zulfiqar, Chaudhry Shoaib, and Mian Nadeem, among dozens of others, represented the broader Pakistani public in Japan—each person there as a reflection of the unity this diaspora holds dear.
The gathering concluded with a thoughtfully prepared communal meal (Ziyafat), reflecting a beautiful blend of Japanese discipline and Pakistani hospitality. Faces around the table glowed with peace and spiritual contentment.
What truly stood out was the reaffirmation of a vital truth: In foreign lands, shared sorrow forges lasting bonds. When one person’s father passes away, the entire community feels the loss. When someone’s child succeeds, everyone celebrates. This interconnectedness makes overseas Pakistanis a family, and events like these serve as proof.
Shahid Majeed Advocate, standing solemn yet composed, received condolences from community members with grace. It was evident that their presence was not mere formality but heartfelt solidarity. As Hafiz Kamer Sahib’s voice rose with the supplication “Ya Allah, grant the departed soul a high place in Jannah,” many eyes turned moist, hands raised in unison, and a silence spoke more than words ever could.
In the end, this was more than a Quran Khwani—it was a reminder that humanity thrives even in foreign lands. That grief, when shared, becomes lighter. That love, when spread, grows deeper.
In Japan, among the structured routines of work and migration, the Pakistani community remains deeply connected by the spiritual and cultural threads of home. In a foreign land, it is not nationality alone that binds them, but compassion, shared identity, and the understanding that being there for one another—especially in sorrow—is what keeps the community’s heart beating.
This was a day that reaffirmed the strength of the Pakistani soul in exile. A story not just of one man’s loss, but a collective show of presence, unity, and prayer—a living testament that even far from Pakistan, we are never truly alone.
