Habib University hosted a heartfelt tribute titled “A Life of Purpose: Honoring Rafiq M. Habib’s Legacy” at the H. M. Habib Auditorium to celebrate the life and contributions of its Founding Chancellor, the late Rafiq M. Habib. The solemn yet inspiring afternoon was attended by his wife Mrs. Jamila Rafiq M. Habib, members of the Habib family, the University’s Board of Governors, faculty, students, donors, and friends of the institution.
Honoring a Life Rooted in Faith and Service
The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Mr. Habib’s granddaughters, Zehra Merchant and Zehra Hassan, followed by a Fateha for his departed soul. A short documentary, “A Life of Purpose: A Legacy That Continues to Inspire,” traced Rafiq M. Habib’s journey — 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’s largest private contribution to higher education — over USD 40 million — to establish Habib University. This historic act, the film recalled, “reshaped philanthropy in Pakistan, turning charity into institution-building.”
Dr. Mark Weichold, representing the Board of Governors, paid tribute to Rafiq Sahab’s empathy, discipline, and moral clarity. “He saw this university not as a project but as a trust — a gift to the nation — to nurture generations of thoughtful, ethical, and creative leaders,”
Dr. Weichold said. He credited Mr. Habib for laying the foundation for a new liberal-arts-based model of higher education in Pakistan and for creating the TOPS (Talent Outreach, Promotion & Support) Program that opened doors for students from underserved communities.
Incoming Chancellor Mr. Muhammad H. Habib, nephew of Rafiq M. Habib, recalled his uncle’s entrepreneurial drive and social vision.
Habib University President Wasif A. Rizvi offered heartfelt reflections on his decade-long partnership with Rafiq Sahab. Recalling his integrity and optimism, he said:“To create an institution of this scale and purpose in Pakistan was no ordinary task. He had the courage to dream of a ‘bigger boat’ — one that would carry the hopes of a generation.”President Rizvi added that Mr. Habib’s rare combination of humility and courage “turned philanthropy into a moral act of nation-building.”
A highlight of the event was the panel “Creating a Legacy of Purpose: The Beauty of Generosity,” moderated by President Rizvi and featuring four distinguished leaders: Mr. Shahbaz Yasin Malik (CEO, Hilton Pharma), Mr. Ahsan Saleem (Founder, The Citizens Foundation), Mr. Atif Bajwa (CEO, Bank Alfalah), and Mr. Asif Peer (CEO, Systems Limited). A special video tribute by Mr. Syed Babar Ali urged the establishment of an endowment in Rafiq M. Habib’s memory to sustain his vision of accessible, world-class education.
The evening closed with remarks from Mr. Mohomed Bashir, Chair of the Board of Governors, who expressed gratitude to the Habib family, the Board, and Habib University’s community of supporters. “Rafiq Sahab’s life reminds us that the truest form of generosity is to build for others what we may never use ourselves,” he said. “His vision will continue to guide this institution for generations.”
