Mirza Arif Broucher Shahzad.cdr - Potohar Organization for ...

Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA)
REMEMBERING
Mirza Muhammad Arif
(1957 - 2013)
Khanqah, Nara Mughlan, Tehsil & District Chakwal, Pakistan.
Mirza Muhammad Arif was one of the five founders of PODA in 2003 in his
native village Nara Mughlan, District Chakwal, Pakistan. Mirza Arif was born in
August 1957 in Jehlum. His father Sardar Bahadur Khan died when Arif was
one year old. His mother and elder brother SSP Mirza Anwar raised him to be
an honest and humble human being. He studied in Punjab and later went to
USA as a young man. After 10 years in USA he decided to come back and live
with his mother and serve his brother and village. He started a small business
in Mullihal Mughlan Chakwal and later started experimenting with agriculture.
He was a community activist and an innovative farmer. He was known in his
family and community as a cool minded person and was often asked to help in
local conflict resolution. He was a principled man and supported poor and
women to stand up for their rights. He educated the local police, school
teachers, government officials, youth and businessmen to help those in need
and perform their duty with honesty and bravery. In November 2012 he
became sick and after two months in hospital he died on 2 February 2013.
He is buried in his native village Nara Mughlan, Chakwal. Mirza Arif is survived
by five children, wife, mother, a sister and numerous friends, relatives and
community members. May his soul rest in peace.

Memorial Messages for Mirza Arif
Message from PODA Board Members
Mirza Arif was one of the most dedicated staff of PODA who along with his
family contributed tremendously for the welfare and progress of PODA. His
services for PODA will never be forgotten and PODA will never forget him. As
a start, PODA Board announces support for his family and approves to make
a PODA-Arif Community Development Fund in his name. On his first
memorial, PODA dedicates the Nara Mughlan Agriculture Farm in his name.
We will continue to keep his work and mission alive.
Message from PODA Executive Director, Ms. Sameena Nazir
Mirza Arif was more than a staff for PODA. He was a key pillar of our
organization and a strong support to all staff especially to me as his director.
He honored and respected the women in PODA and always showed support
and kindness to the youth members. He was a humble man who never
wanted to take the centre stage in any public event. He always promoted
others and always stayed in the background. He loved his village, his
mosque, his farm, his children, his community, his agriculture and his country.
He was a proud Pakistani. He was a brave man. Just like his life and every
day work inspired PODA, his death has also inspired all of us. We will miss
him tremendously and keep his name and work alive. To honour Mirza Arif,
PODA is starting PODA-Arif Community Development Fund in his name to
support his family and assist poor people in his area with education and health
needs. All those who want to contribute to this good cause can contact:
Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA),
Ph: (051) 2609743, Mob: (0336) 115-3079 or Email: info@poda.org.pk

Message from Dr. Fred Mednick, Founder, Teachers Without Borders, USA
Fellow - Johns Hopkins University School of Education, USA
In my culture, a historical story is that there are 36 people in every generation
who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their humility keeps
them from knowing that they are, indeed, one of these righteous ones. They
are ordinary individuals who serve as the vessel for compassion in the world
— people who work miracles through simple acts of kindness. By their very
nature, they challenge us when we become cynical. They are a model for us
when self-interest guides our action. And they re-shape what it means to be
human when we feel that all has been lost. Their stories are simple. They
are driven by an instinctive, moral impulse to serve, rather than a desire to
call attention upon themselves. In fact, they often work on behalf of others
when no one is looking. That is why they are hard to find, for it is their
goodness that makes them great. They are the stars of their generation and,
for that matter, future generations to come. They light the way for us all.
Mr. Arif Mirza was such a man. A man who believed in the inherent value of
human life, regardless of one's station in life. A man that supported the rights
of women. A father of five, a son, a PODA member, a friend. I met him only
three times, but the first time stands out. He smiled. He extended his hand.
He showed me his heart. Filled with pride, he showed me documents about
PODA. He talked about what the organization meant to the women in Village
Nara Mughlan, District Chakwal.
I will never forget Mr. Arif Mirza. My book will be devoted, in part, to him. And
it is in his spirit on earth, in the work he began, and in the contribution he
continues to make, that keeps us all going - to keep looking within for our
righteousness and to recognize it when we see it in others. I miss him. I
mourn for his family. I grieve for PODA. May he rest in Peace. And may his
righteousness help us serve, for in doing so, we honor him.

Message from Wilson Lee,
Senior Program Officer, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USA
Please accept our deepest condolences for the unexpected loss of Mirza
Arif. I fondly recall Arif showing me around the village and pointing out all the
community improvements, as well as the time he visited Washington as well.
So many people have been positively touched by his work and dedication and
he will be missed greatly by all, especially those of us who visited the village
in Chakwal. His work is a wonderful testament to his joy and humility.
With deepest sympathy.
Message from Paul Brant,
Agriculture Expert, Australia
It is a very sad and shocking news indeed. We have all lost a great man with
the death of Arif Mirza. We send you our regards and condolenses.
Message from Steve Hart
New Zealand
Dear PODA Colleagues,
The death of Mirza Arif is a very sad news for me. He was a very positive
and constructive man. I saw in him a man that was very genuine and always
wanted to help those in need build better lives. He will always be missed. My
sincere heartfelt condolences to PODA team and his family and all the
village and all the people that he connected with. He will be missed but we
hope that work in his name will be the best way to remember him and follow
up with great models of his community service to offer to all people of all
levels of society.
With warm regards,
Steve Hart
Mirza Arif training women on seed farming. November 2011