April 24, 2023
April 24, 2023
My dear friend, We as a family talk about you as if you are around us and actually feel your presence. We know you are watching over us and will always keep an eye on us. Love you !
Friends of Iqbal offer Holy Celebration (Kirtan)
Sunday, July 31, 2016 ~ 9:00-11:00 AM
Gurdwara (Sikh Foundation of Virginia)
7250 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
http://www.sfova.org/
Please join us in prayer and celebration to remember our dear friend and esteemed colleague. The morning will include light refreshments after the Kirtan.
There is no dress code but it would be appropriate to wear pants and a scarf to cover the head.
Please contact Karima Saleh at ksaleh@worldbank.org for more information and to RSVP.
____________________________________________________________
This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved colleague and friend, Iqbal Kaur. We will remember her forever. Her spirit and influence will abide with us and her example will be with us for many years.
How does one create an extraordinary life? Iqbal had taught us just that. To know her is to be forever changed by her. We, who love her, commend her spirit to God and thank God for her life.
The purpose of this site is to facilitate access to condolence messages, tributes, photos/videos celebrating her life. We'd love to hear from you -- please feel free to leave a note, upload pictures/videos, light a candle and lay a flower. This site is for Iqbal as much as for you.
To her family and many friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Dear Ramandeep and entire Kaur Family,
We in Iqbal's World Bank family are deeply saddened by our friend Iqbal's untimely passing. She was our beloved colleague and friend and we will cherish memories of her forever.
Iqbal was a remarkable colleague with strong passion and dedication to what she was doing and we will miss her devoted personality a lot at the World Bank. Iqbal will be remembered for her positive attitude, love for life and dedication to the issues she championed in her long career at the World Bank, always advocating for poor, excluded and underserved groups, such as children, youth, orphans, people with disabilities. She will be remembered for her warm personality, her professionalism and hard work. Just about two weeks ago many of us were in touch with her on the phone and via email and she was full of hope and commitment to come back to work. We all were so deeply shocked when the sad news arrived. Iqbal was an exemplary woman of courage and commitment and we all feel privileged to have known Iqbal and worked with her for many years.
We send our condolences to her entire family and friends. Iqbal will always remain in our minds and hearts,
Iqbal's friends and colleagues in the Social Protection and Labor Practice of the World Bank
Dear Kaur Family,
Iqbal's colleagues at the World Bank are deeply saddened by the news of her passing. She was a cherished colleague who made many friends during her long career.
She will be remembered for her warm smile, her positive spirit and energy, her professionalism and her commitment to the critical issues to which she dedicated her career. In particular, she will be remembered for the important work that she did to raise understanding of the importance of inclusion of people with disabilities in countries across the globe. Even when she was fighting her own battle with illness, she continued to work hard on behalf of the most poor and marginalized.
Most recently, along with her work on disability, she was working on an important flagship program in Ethiopia that ensures the delivery of essential services - including health, education and sanitation to local communities, as well as a social safety net in Malawi that provides support to the poorest households in the country. Her colleagues valued her for the passion and personal warmth.
Personally, as her manager over the last year, I was impressed by her strength and optimism in the face of hardship. She taught me a lot about courage and it was a privilege to know her.
We send our condolences to her family and dear friends. She will always be in our hearts,
Dena Ringold on behalf of her World Bank family
I am terribly sorry to learn of the loss of Iqbal. This news was as tragic as it was surprising. I can imagine what a difficult loss this is for the SP team, as Iqbal’s work with the Bank spanned over 20 years across at least two regions, touching hundreds of colleagues along the way.
If there's anything I can do for you or SP colleagues at this time, please let me know. Loss is when we need family most. I'd be honored to help however I can. In the meantime, I have you in my thoughts.
Keith Hansen on behalf of the Human Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank
Tributes
Leave a tribute
April 23, 2023
April 23, 2023
Year 7. Thank you for continually watching over the family and subtly nudging us in the right direction. Your presence is always felt. Keep blessing us from above. Until next year.
April 29, 2022
April 29, 2022
Dear Iqbal, for always I will cherish our warm and professional memories when we first met in Yemen in 1999…After that we developed a warm friendship, which I still miss…Love and rest in peace!
April 25, 2022
April 25, 2022
My Dear Iqbal, I just miss you and can never be forgotten. Can you believe, I am a nani now. So happy for the new addition to the family. I am spoiling her and I just laugh to myself thinking how much you would have pampered her! Keep watching over us!
April 24, 2022
April 24, 2022
You used to hold me tight on fear
I knew that you were always near
The first one to stay in my heart
And you never ever were apart
You were my life's most important part
I miss you so much my lovely sister
As today I realize what you meant to me
You are so special for me!
Love you . New additions to the family Hv happening. Making you proud . Miss you
It’s has been 6 years but feels like yesterday. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I knew that you were always near
The first one to stay in my heart
And you never ever were apart
You were my life's most important part
I miss you so much my lovely sister
As today I realize what you meant to me
You are so special for me!
Love you . New additions to the family Hv happening. Making you proud . Miss you
It’s has been 6 years but feels like yesterday. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 23, 2022
April 23, 2022
Year 6. There is a lot of good news to share. Multiple new family members. Some already here some on the way. You would be overjoyed seeing everyone. We always feel your presence during the happy moments as if you're right there with us. The grief still lingers but is slowly being replaced with a sweet remembrance. This next year is going to be transformative for your family. We still really really miss you. Until next year.
September 18, 2021
September 18, 2021
Dear Iqbal, I am so sorry to learn that you are no longer here anymore. I still remember our fitst meeting in Yemen at the time of the terrorist attack on the USS Cole on 12th. October 2000. We developed a fruitful collaboration and a warm friendship. Unfortunately we lost track of eachothers lives as it often goes in the international diplomatic and development scene. I was trying to get in touch again since I will be visiting Washington DC again in my new job at the The Netherlands Foreign Office. I will always cherish our warm and inspiring meetings! With love, Arjen
May 8, 2021
May 8, 2021
Happy Mother’s Day sister . Love you miss you . . You are the best
April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
Year 5. Re-reading the tributes...feeling a sense of immense pride and of slight sadness. I wish I would have asked you the details of the work that you do. Had I known then what I know now, the conversations would've been amazing. We have decided to setup a foundation in your name for the betterment of underprivileged children across the world. We will continue the work that you did and ensure your spark is never extinguished. The world needed someone like you at this moment more than ever before. We really really miss you. Until next year.
April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
Dear Sister
A little bit of my sister will always live in me.
Rest in peace big sister, you've given me all I need.
I hope my sister feels at peace just like she always made me feel.
Like Sleeping Beauty my sister rests until the day our fates align.
My sister lifted me up all my life, now it's my turn to lift her.
Lobe you always ❤️❤️❤️❤️
A little bit of my sister will always live in me.
Rest in peace big sister, you've given me all I need.
I hope my sister feels at peace just like she always made me feel.
Like Sleeping Beauty my sister rests until the day our fates align.
My sister lifted me up all my life, now it's my turn to lift her.
Lobe you always ❤️❤️❤️❤️
April 23, 2021
April 23, 2021
Dear Iqbal,
One more year has passed. You are gone but not forgotten and always in my heart. I smile when I think of you as I was so lucky to have you in my life. Miss you my friend.
One more year has passed. You are gone but not forgotten and always in my heart. I smile when I think of you as I was so lucky to have you in my life. Miss you my friend.
April 24, 2020
April 24, 2020
Year 4. The world is in the midst of a global pandemic. In a very weird way, we're glad that you're far away from it. We all miss you very very much. We are finally brining ourselves to go through the treasure trove of immaculately labeled family photos you left for us. Can't wait to renew many memories.
Until Next Year.
Until Next Year.
April 23, 2020
April 23, 2020
4 years flew by and feels like it was yesterday when we were talking .
These memories last for miles and miles.
When she was by my side, the world was filled with life,
When she is not around, my days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love,
She flew in my life with the beauty of a dove.
Miss you sister more & more everyday
These memories last for miles and miles.
When she was by my side, the world was filled with life,
When she is not around, my days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love,
She flew in my life with the beauty of a dove.
Miss you sister more & more everyday
April 23, 2020
April 23, 2020
Dear Iqbal,
It has been 4 years since you left us. I missed you then and I miss you now. Honestly, so many people but no one to talk to. When I complained that I have only you as my close friend, you laughed and said "Do you need any one else?" You left me very alone here.
But really, thank you for our many, many talks about life and children. You gave me great hope! I am also trying to be very brave and hope you are watching me! Love, Saroj
It has been 4 years since you left us. I missed you then and I miss you now. Honestly, so many people but no one to talk to. When I complained that I have only you as my close friend, you laughed and said "Do you need any one else?" You left me very alone here.
But really, thank you for our many, many talks about life and children. You gave me great hope! I am also trying to be very brave and hope you are watching me! Love, Saroj
April 24, 2019
April 24, 2019
Year 3. The reality is starting to sink in. The whole family feels the loss. Every small victory or defeat is closely followed by a comment on what you would have said. I think you would be proud of the progress that's been made this past year. We are slowly but surely paving a path following your footsteps. Please keep guiding us from wherever you are. Until next year.
April 24, 2018
April 24, 2018
Year 2. There is no closure. Only acceptance. Unfortunately, I don't think any of us are completely there yet. It's funny how the mind can know something yet still refuse to fully acknowledge it. Survival mechanisms I suppose. We all miss you very very much. Our goal is to now carry on your legacy through charitable and humanitarian work and make you proud. Until next year. Hopefully I will have a great update for you by then.
Love,
Rana
Love,
Rana
April 26, 2017
April 26, 2017
Hello my dear sister Iqbal, it has a year since you left us for heaven . I miss you every second of the day of my life . Surprising how we have to live without our loved ones , which becomes harder and harder day by day . Didi you were amazingly great person as in such short lived 50 years of your life you lived like 80 yrs of your age as our son mentioned . Everyone young or old remembers you as a loving person with such warm and caring big heart .
You were also a fighter the way you fought with the kind of illness you went through but still kept your missions alive with your love and commitment.
We will always miss you my dear
Love you
Reshu
You were also a fighter the way you fought with the kind of illness you went through but still kept your missions alive with your love and commitment.
We will always miss you my dear
Love you
Reshu
April 24, 2017
April 24, 2017
Dear Iqbal, Thinking of you fondly. You will be forever missed. Praying you rest in peace. Will always cherish the memories we shared!
April 24, 2017
April 24, 2017
Dear Mom,
It's now been exactly a year and most of the family still feels you're on a world bank mission. We patiently wait for the emails containing travel itineraries that have us double checking our calendars, hotel phone numbers that half of us can never properly dial, and destinations that we have to search up on google.
It’s hard to describe the exact emotion we feel. I’d like to call it “sadness with a silver lining”. We miss you dearly but in our minds we know you made the most of the time you had on earth. You lived more in 50 years than most people do in 80 and the strength you showed while battling your illness belied comprehension.
Your physical form may very well be gone, but your infectious energy is alive and well. It lives on in every family member and every person in the world you managed to connect with. Believe me, if you could read this memorial website only then would you realize the magnitude of your aura.
Your life was never easy but as they say, diamonds aren’t formed without pressure. Thank you for giving your family so much, thank you for giving the world so much, thank you for existing.
To everyone who has left a tribute, wrote a story or shared a picture; The depths of our gratitude cannot be expressed by mere words. We are truly truly grateful as the stories you have shared serve to enrich our fond memories further. She always spoke very highly of her colleagues, and now as a family we can see why. You are all truly amazing individuals.
It’s about 11:45 pm as i’m writing this...another 15 minutes and this will be too late. You always hated my procrastination (yea sorry still working on that) but hey, at least we’re both night owls.
Until next year.
Love,
Rana
(and the family but more credit to me since i’m writing this).
It's now been exactly a year and most of the family still feels you're on a world bank mission. We patiently wait for the emails containing travel itineraries that have us double checking our calendars, hotel phone numbers that half of us can never properly dial, and destinations that we have to search up on google.
It’s hard to describe the exact emotion we feel. I’d like to call it “sadness with a silver lining”. We miss you dearly but in our minds we know you made the most of the time you had on earth. You lived more in 50 years than most people do in 80 and the strength you showed while battling your illness belied comprehension.
Your physical form may very well be gone, but your infectious energy is alive and well. It lives on in every family member and every person in the world you managed to connect with. Believe me, if you could read this memorial website only then would you realize the magnitude of your aura.
Your life was never easy but as they say, diamonds aren’t formed without pressure. Thank you for giving your family so much, thank you for giving the world so much, thank you for existing.
To everyone who has left a tribute, wrote a story or shared a picture; The depths of our gratitude cannot be expressed by mere words. We are truly truly grateful as the stories you have shared serve to enrich our fond memories further. She always spoke very highly of her colleagues, and now as a family we can see why. You are all truly amazing individuals.
It’s about 11:45 pm as i’m writing this...another 15 minutes and this will be too late. You always hated my procrastination (yea sorry still working on that) but hey, at least we’re both night owls.
Until next year.
Love,
Rana
(and the family but more credit to me since i’m writing this).
February 15, 2017
February 15, 2017
I miss you, dear.
November 17, 2016
November 17, 2016
Dear Iqbal, we met so many years ago in Florence (Italy) and our lives touched for a brief but important moment. I'm so sorry you passed away, you were such a nice person and I will always remeber you. My sincere condolence to your family, rest in peace my friend.
June 28, 2016
June 28, 2016
I remember the first time I met Iqbal, over ten years ago. I had just joined the Bank as a YP and our unit was going on a retreat. At one discussion Iqbal stood up, her long beautiful silver-black braid extending down her back, so long she could sit on it. But Iqbal did not sit much at that retreat. In fact, she stood up and spoke, among other things holding management accountable. Again and again. Courageously, eloquently, fearlessly. I was wide eyed and speechless and glanced admiringly across the room to her.
This is the side of Iqbal I would like to pay tribute to today. Courageous Iqbal who embarked on unchartered waters, defied conventions, and in doing so worked miracles for children in Upper Egypt (and other powerless groups). Iqbal, that once created a work portfolio entirely out of Trust Funds, to maintain independence. Iqbal, that gave a toss about glory and limelight and was too busy going on mission to pick up a 'People First' prize that she had won.
It is sad to see that she could not be present to pick up her posthumous leadership award today either. Still, I can see her traveling to a better, happier, joyful and peaceful place where she is richly rewarded for all the good she did.
This is the side of Iqbal I would like to pay tribute to today. Courageous Iqbal who embarked on unchartered waters, defied conventions, and in doing so worked miracles for children in Upper Egypt (and other powerless groups). Iqbal, that once created a work portfolio entirely out of Trust Funds, to maintain independence. Iqbal, that gave a toss about glory and limelight and was too busy going on mission to pick up a 'People First' prize that she had won.
It is sad to see that she could not be present to pick up her posthumous leadership award today either. Still, I can see her traveling to a better, happier, joyful and peaceful place where she is richly rewarded for all the good she did.
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
Having worked with Iqbal closely over 20 years in MENA, SAR and AFR and being friends with her extended family over the same period, it is not easy to convey my appreciation for Iqbal who fought against many odds to contribute to the most disadvantaged people specially people with disabilities and children at risk. The passion drove her through medical adversity and kept her going through many difficult patches. Her passing away has been a major loss to all of us - we can never forget her smile and her willingness to always help. May she be content in heaven!
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
My dear Iqbal. I can never forget how you dropped everything and without a second of hesitation, took me all the way from somewhere in mid-Virginia (we were having a retreat) to Maryland because my son was in the emergency room at Shady Grove hospital. That showed me what a really wonderful person you were. I will miss you.
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Dear Iqbal, I feel so fortunate to have you as part of my life, I will always remember the love, laughter, joy, tears we shared together. Will remember your vibrant personality and kind heart. You fought bravely! A beautiful soul who has now found her peace. Will always miss u!
May 18, 2016
May 18, 2016
Dear Iqbal, I miss you so much already. Thank you for our many, many chats about life and children. You were always so brave and it always gave me great hope to talk with you. Thanks also for all the healthy peanuts. To this day, I cannot crack open a peanut without thinking about you. Until we meet again, my friend, rest in glorious peace.
May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016
For Iqbal family, Sat Sri Akaal/ਸਿਤ ਸ਼ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ:
I am still shocked to hear the sad news of untimely death of our dearest colleague, Iqbal Kaur in such young age.
Iqbal and I used to speak in Punjabi and share her recent field experience in Africa as she was my next door neighbor in the office. She was very nice, humble, caring and superb human being for which she will be ever remembered!
May the “Waheguru” bless her soul in eternal peace and give you a courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
With profound sympathies and prayers.
Shams
I am still shocked to hear the sad news of untimely death of our dearest colleague, Iqbal Kaur in such young age.
Iqbal and I used to speak in Punjabi and share her recent field experience in Africa as she was my next door neighbor in the office. She was very nice, humble, caring and superb human being for which she will be ever remembered!
May the “Waheguru” bless her soul in eternal peace and give you a courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.
With profound sympathies and prayers.
Shams
May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016
My dear dear Iqbal:
We lost this dear soul very early in life. You came to earth to serve a purpose and you fulfilled it. You touched so many lives, including mine. We were friends.
inna lillahi wa in allah-e-rajioon
I observed your passion and commitment from afar. Till the end, you were concerned about work. What dedication!
You were a giver and compassionate, always caring about others, always asking after others, always not wanting to inconvenience others.
You were passionate about life and living, and always had a "smile" despite challenges you might be facing.
You were a fighter and very brave and strong, and your advise to others, to be tolerant.
we will miss you dearly but your memory will live on.
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to Iqbal's family: her son, her parents, her sister, brother, and others.
We lost this dear soul very early in life. You came to earth to serve a purpose and you fulfilled it. You touched so many lives, including mine. We were friends.
inna lillahi wa in allah-e-rajioon
I observed your passion and commitment from afar. Till the end, you were concerned about work. What dedication!
You were a giver and compassionate, always caring about others, always asking after others, always not wanting to inconvenience others.
You were passionate about life and living, and always had a "smile" despite challenges you might be facing.
You were a fighter and very brave and strong, and your advise to others, to be tolerant.
we will miss you dearly but your memory will live on.
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to Iqbal's family: her son, her parents, her sister, brother, and others.
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
My heart is still broken beyond words, I cant believe I will no longer receive your funny What's up messages and jokes. May the road rise up to meet you dear friend. May the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields... and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand. Rest in peace my dear friend, you will never be forgotten
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
For Iqbal:
"I give you this one thought to keep--I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow,I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone--I am with you still --in each new dawn."
May you rest in peace. إِنَّا للهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
"I give you this one thought to keep--I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow,I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not think of me as gone--I am with you still --in each new dawn."
May you rest in peace. إِنَّا للهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
Dear Iqbal, May your soul rest in peace!
Sincere condolences to the family...
Sincere condolences to the family...
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
My dearest Iqbal, rest peacefully now, you have earned your wings. I will always miss you, my friend. I will cherish the memories and the honor of calling you my friend.
Until we meet again,
Nicole
Until we meet again,
Nicole
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
Dear Iqbal,
Despite the short time we spent together as colleagues in the former MENA HD family, I soon realized what a special person you were, helping and mentoring the new comers and giving me wise advice about how to smoothen the transition. I was really very saddened by your very untimely passing, a real shock in many sense.
You will be missed by everyone who was fortunate to know you, including myself. My sincere condolences to your loved ones, friends and family.
~ Enis Barış
Despite the short time we spent together as colleagues in the former MENA HD family, I soon realized what a special person you were, helping and mentoring the new comers and giving me wise advice about how to smoothen the transition. I was really very saddened by your very untimely passing, a real shock in many sense.
You will be missed by everyone who was fortunate to know you, including myself. My sincere condolences to your loved ones, friends and family.
~ Enis Barış
May 10, 2016
May 10, 2016
My dear Iqbal,
It was terrible to hear the news, I guess your lovely and cheerful spirit made me forget what you've been going through. I am honored and blessed to have known such a good and inspirational friend. I miss you but your lovely and gentle soul and all the happy moments we spent together will remain in my heart. Rest in peace dear...
It was terrible to hear the news, I guess your lovely and cheerful spirit made me forget what you've been going through. I am honored and blessed to have known such a good and inspirational friend. I miss you but your lovely and gentle soul and all the happy moments we spent together will remain in my heart. Rest in peace dear...
May 9, 2016
May 9, 2016
Dear Iqbal, it is still hard to absorb that you have left our world, it still feels you are away on mission and will be back and we will have lunch or coffee to catch up on work and personal news. Your bravery and the positive and hopeful attitude you confronted challenges with, were inspirational. The work you did across MENA countries will continue to speak of your dedication, passion and professional values you stood for. Will miss you dearly.
May 8, 2016
May 8, 2016
I often told my husband, Iqbal Aunty is the best person I know, and when he finally met her he looked at me and said.."you were right!". She was the embodiment of the perfect human being- so hardworking, resilient and strong yet filled with love, kindness, happiness and hope. She took me into her home for two months in the Summer of 2014 while I worked at the Bank and took care of me like I was her own child. As I got to know her better over the two months, I was blown away by all that she had gone through and more so by her strong sense of belief and hope for the future. Her passing is a great loss for her family and all her friends and colleagues, including myself. We have lost a bright light and there will not be anyone quite like her.
Iqbal Aunty, I miss you and hope that you have found your special place with your maker, where love is eternal and hope is unbounded, just as you had made it for all those around you in this world.
Iqbal Aunty, I miss you and hope that you have found your special place with your maker, where love is eternal and hope is unbounded, just as you had made it for all those around you in this world.
May 7, 2016
May 7, 2016
I still cannot believe that Iqbal is no longer with us. It is so hard to comprehend and accept that I am still in denial and shock. I spoke to her on the phone about a month ago and she was positive and optimistic, ready to come back to work as she recovers from her surgery. She was asking for some consultant support and I told her not to worry about it and concentrate on her health, but she was so keen to do her job and do it right.
We will always remember Iqbal for her passion on issues that we often do not always pay attention to, poor children, minorities, people with disabilities and other marginalized group. She was always a passionate advocate for those who have little voice. We will miss this voice in the Bank. On a personal note I appreciate her always asking about my own health and encouraging me to take better care and prioritize over everything else. Thank you Iqbal for all you have done for us as a group and for me personally! You will always remain in our minds and hearts.
We will always remember Iqbal for her passion on issues that we often do not always pay attention to, poor children, minorities, people with disabilities and other marginalized group. She was always a passionate advocate for those who have little voice. We will miss this voice in the Bank. On a personal note I appreciate her always asking about my own health and encouraging me to take better care and prioritize over everything else. Thank you Iqbal for all you have done for us as a group and for me personally! You will always remain in our minds and hearts.
May 6, 2016
May 6, 2016
Dearest Iqbal, missing a lot your humanity, uniqueness, honesty, and high dedication for others. You are indeed unforgettable. I’ll always remember when you talked to me about what you had to pass through and how much you learnt and lived through it. Your positive attitude, optimism, and strength were always really inspiring. We talked once about a quote from Australia …“after all, we are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home.” You have been a fantastic visitor Iqbal, and now must be in a better dimension. My condolences and sympathy to your family.
May 6, 2016
May 6, 2016
I am sorry that I have not got a chance to work with you over the years, but I feel fortunate that we were able to interact as you transitioned from MNA to Africa. I will always remember how excited and happy you were about the opportunities, and how much you were looking forward to that new chapter of your career. I felt that I was with you on your journey. You will be missed.
May 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
With much sadness and condolences to your family, we have lost a champion and a friend. You will be very much missed. Rest in peace.
May 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
Dearest Iqbal, so sad to hear of your passing! Still such a shock as I was waiting to hear back from you assuming you were away on mission. As is our usual practice, two or three times a year because of our busy schedules, we would catch-up for lunch or a walk during lunch! I will miss that and your cheerful presence in spite of all you were going through. You remain an inspiration to me and I pray you will rest in peace. I pray that your family, especially your son, will be comforted and encouraged to know that you were loved by many in the World Bank where you devoted so much of yourself and energy for so many years and breaking ceilings in the process! More importantly, I hope they appreciate that you touched many lives in the countries you worked in and you truly made a difference in the lives of so many that are disadvantaged and who are not be able to let them know this. You were a true development specialist and I appreciate that in you. Rest in peace, my friend, I will miss you a lot! God bless!
May 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
I only know you for a short time - you were at the Ethiopia Country office for not more than a month. But we had a chance to closely work during our field mission to the Amhara region. You were very kind and friendly. Thank you so much for the nice words of encouragement, they meant a lot and i will always keep them in my heart.
May 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
Dear Iqbal, even though our interaction was brief during your mission to Ethiopia in October/November 2015, it was very memorable to me. I was really touched by your kindness and positive attitude to life and to other people. Your dedication to the work and to helping the disadvantaged was a huge inspiration for me. I will always remember your wise advices and highly relevant comments and feedback. The news of your passing came as a great shock to me. May your soul rest in peace!
May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
You will be missed, Iqbal, but your legacy is lasting. Let us honor your contributions by remaining positive and strong in spirit; dedicated and optimistic in our professional endeavors.
May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
Dear Iqbal, you were and remain an inspiration to me and to all those who loved to be around you. Will miss you.
Sincere condolences and sympathy to your family.
Sincere condolences and sympathy to your family.
May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
With a heavy heart, I pray for the eternal repose of one who was a woman of distinguished humanity. My sincere condolence to the family.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
April 24, 2023
April 24, 2023
My dear friend, We as a family talk about you as if you are around us and actually feel your presence. We know you are watching over us and will always keep an eye on us. Love you !
April 23, 2023
April 23, 2023
Year 7. Thank you for continually watching over the family and subtly nudging us in the right direction. Your presence is always felt. Keep blessing us from above. Until next year.
April 29, 2022
April 29, 2022
Dear Iqbal, for always I will cherish our warm and professional memories when we first met in Yemen in 1999…After that we developed a warm friendship, which I still miss…Love and rest in peace!
Gallery
Miss you every sec of my life
Love you always . Miss you . Rest In Peace
Recent stories
Missing you
May 3, 2019
by Reshu Sethi
Year 3
Miss you so much, I wish you sweet sleep, my sister dear.
Although there's so much that you've left bare,
I hate that you had to endure such pain.
On my mind, your saddened eyes have left a stain. Love you always and miss you
May 17, 2016
Dear Iqbal,
We had a good run together you and I. We worked in a region that never ceases to surprise. People say “never a dull day in MENA” and it is true. We worked with counterparts who could be tough, funny, demanding, kind, unreasonable, all in one go. We worked through a revolution and assorted fragilities, in a region where change can be dramatic and sudden or escape you forever, wrapping you up in the glacial pace of studies, and pilots, and back and forth about not rocking the boat. Those years are sculpted in my heart and you have been such an important part of them. I was the rookie manager and you were the veteran – you had done it all, Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Iran (oh, I know you loved working in Iran!). You had seen it all - directors, ministers, vice presidents, coming and going - you knew the ins and outs of operations, trust funds, Bank rules. But you never got distracted by all that razzmatazz, you cared about what matters, you cared about the poor, the children with no advocate, the youth with no future.
I don’t think we ever went on mission together. We should have travelled together to Cairo for the ceremony of the successful implementation of your project with the Ministry of Family. Thanks to you, eighty thousand disadvantaged families had the necessary papers to enroll their kids in school. You probably said you had to be somewhere else. I wonder if you made it up – I know you weren’t interested in all those idle festivities, your job was done and you were off preparing some other grant, some other project. So you sent me. Like that time when your child labor project in Egypt won the prize for best JSDF – you sent Mahmoud to pick up the prize.
I was saying that in MENA the pace of change can be glacial. Well, not with you. And the difference that you made to those families who now have papers, and to those children who were working fourteen hour days kneeling in the mud to make bricks but thanks to you had a chance for some education, that was its own small revolution, and it will stay with them forever. And your energy and dedication will stay forever in my heart.
I miss you, my friend. May you rest in peace. I am thinking of you.
Roberta
Mission to Somali Regional State, Ethiopia
May 4, 2016
Dear Iqbal,
I recall the mission we had together to Somali Regional State in Ethiopia to look into the status of basic service delivery. While struggling with your illness, you kept pace in visiting the remote woredas of the region and in guiding us during our discussions and site visits. You were so concerned about the deep rooted challenges existing in the region to provide access to basic services to the needy. During the discussion with the beneficiaries and vulnerable members of the community, you listened to every bit of their problems, touched and passionately pursued the issues in the follow up discussions with the Regional Government and Donors.
Your professionalism, energy and dedication to make a difference even out of that brief engagement was an enlightening experience for me. It was also entertaining and full of fun to see you singing and skillfully dancing the cultural Somali songs (video uploaded). Finally, because of your illness you had to return back to Addis a day before the end of the mission. It is so sad and touching that you were not able to fully recover after that mission.
As member of the team, you were so supportive, caring and appreciative of your colleagues. I remember your back to office email sent to the management which was filled with words of appreciation showing your compassion and love to others. The beautiful artifact you brought me from India has been loved by my kids and continued to decorate my living room. Though you passed, the memories of your big heart, professionalism and generosity remains with us and forever.
May God Rest Your Soul with lasting Eternity!!!
Demelash Demessie (Ethiopia Country Office)