It has been 14 days since my father, Syed Atiq ul Hassan, passed away peacefully in hospital after a brave battle with his illness. He fought with great strength, as the true warrior he was—courageously, silently, and with resilience.
My father always said that Allah (God) tests all those He loves and that one can always turn physical or emotional pain into purpose. Allah (God) always provides an opportunity for others to leave an impact on this world through service—if you carry sincerity and honesty in your heart, which in turn reflects in your work.
For days, I couldn’t find the strength to write. The grief was overwhelming, and the enormity of what he meant to so many people made it impossible to begin. As I write this, I am sitting in his study, surrounded by the echoes of a life well lived. His chair feels too sacred to sit on—worn by years of purpose and principle. His study, still filled with notes and drafts on his computer, holds the weight of words not written for himself but for justice, harmony, and the voices of the unheard.
The awards that line the walls may seem physically small in size, but each one represents the big impact he had on others—a lifetime of community service, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment.
Syed Atiq ul Hassan—his name carries his legacy. An International Journalist, Anthropologist, Community Leader, Life & Motivational Coach, Human Rights Activist, Author, Writer, IT Professional, Presenter (Radio & TV), Media Analyst, Educationist, International Events Organiser, and Management Consultant.
These titles are a rare fusion of intellect, purpose, and heart. More importantly, they speak of a man who did not live for himself but lived for humanity.
I finally find the strength to write—for the title I knew him by: my beloved Pappa, my dear father, my mentor, and my role model.
Ancestral Background
Our forefathers migrated from Arab lands to Samarkand and Bukhara (the Russian Muslim states in the 12th century), and then to India in the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. My great-grandfather migrated to Pakistan in 1947, and my father migrated to Australia in 1989.
My father, Syed Atiq ul Hassan, was born in 1957 in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, and grew up in a family deeply rooted in education and public service. His role model was his father—my grandfather—Syed Shafiq ul Hassan, a respected educationist and social worker. His mother, Bilquees Begum, was a school teacher.
It’s important to highlight my father’s ancestral background and upbringing, which help explain what shaped him into the remarkable person that he was.
My great-grandfather, Syed Wajid Ali, made the decision to migrate to the newly created Pakistan in 1947, when my grandfather Syed Shafiq ul Hassan was just 11 years old. At that time, he was the eldest among his eight siblings.
From his early years, my grandfather carried with him the weight of pain, suffering, and loss of human life—having witnessed the atrocious events during the historic voyage with his parents and the millions of others migrating from India to Pakistan. His family bid farewell to the land of their ancestors, Ajmer in India, and settled permanently in Hyderabad, Sindh.
My great-grandfather, a sincere police officer under the Indian administration, resumed his duties in Hyderabad, Sindh, but retired after only a year in the newly formed country in 1948. Sensing perhaps the end of his life approaching, he arranged my grandfather’s marriage to a 16-year-old girl from Karachi—my grandmother, Bilquees Begum—when my grandfather was just 18 years old.
By the time his father passed away in 1958, my grandfather had already become a father himself. With the responsibility of caring for his own family, his mother, four brothers, and three sisters, he was fully committed to living for others.
Legacy of Service: From Partition to Community Builder – My Grandfather
Deeply influenced by the unforgettable adversities of the Indo-Pak Partition, the burden of his family, and the responsibility of assisting newly arrived relatives from India, my grandfather dedicated himself to social and welfare work for the rehabilitation of people.
Balancing full-time work with part-time studies, my grandfather Syed Shafiq ul Hassan graduated from Oriental College, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, and pursued teaching as his profession.
Beyond his family commitments, his only hobby was social work—particularly in his hometown of Sarfraz Colony, named after Sarfraz Shah Kilhora, whose tomb was situated in that area. The name was given by his father, Syed Wajid Ali. My grandfather continued his father’s mission, contributing all his efforts to the development of Sarfraz Colony.
In the 1960s, he successfully legalised the land of the Colony through the assistance of the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was then a minister in the government of President Ayub Khan.
In the early 1970s, my grandparents opened their own primary school in Sarfraz Colony, which later expanded into two schools—one for boys and one for girls—each headed by one of them. Both of my grandparents were very simple, honest, and sincere people. Despite financial incentives offered by various changing governments and individuals, they declined them and instead believed in transparency, honesty, and commitment in their work. They set an example of integrity and service for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—many of whom now reside in different parts of the world.
Early Years of Syed Atiq ul Hassan – My Father
My father, Syed Atiq ul Hassan, was also the eldest of eight children—four younger brothers and three sisters. He lived in a modest yet warm and vibrant home in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, built by his father with his own hands.
He shared a close bond with each of his siblings, who often speak of how he set an example for them. As the eldest son, he was loved dearly by both his parents—especially his mother, who was very fond of him. They shared a deep bond. He would sit by her side as a child, listening attentively, sharing his thoughts, ideas, and vision, while helping her take care of his younger siblings.
His beloved mother often said she saw a rare quality in him and that he would go on to achieve great things in life, carrying her prayers and the blessings of Allah (God).
Academic Achievements and Lifelong Learning
My father was a creative, intelligent, and curious child. In primary school, he excelled quickly—outpacing his peers—and was promoted to a higher class. He was consistently a top student and graduated from Year 10 in 1972 from Noor Muhammad High School, Hyderabad, and completed his HSC (Year 12) in 1974 from Government College, Hyderabad.
He was a man of outstanding intellect and vision, often saying: “Knowledge is power that dictates your terms.”
My father pursued higher education across a wide range of disciplines—not for accolades, but to understand the world more deeply and serve more wisely. In 1978, when Computer Technology (now known as Information Technology) was still an emerging field, he was already ahead of his time.
My father Syed Atiq ul Hassan, was a Gold Medalist in B.Sc. (Hons) Physics and Mathematics from Sindh University, he went on to complete an M.Sc. in Computer Technology, graduating with second position. He continued his professional development with further degrees: M.A. in Economics, an LLB in Law, and a Postgraduate qualification in Journalism. He later became a Qualified International Life Coach.
My grandfather was deeply proud of my father’s academic achievements and often said that everything he accomplished was through his own merit, talent, and effort.
My father would speak of studying under streetlights and walking long distances on foot to the library—driven by his eagerness to learn. My grandfather once recalled that he would turn the clock back an hour to help my father get enough sleep during long study sessions.
He was a proactive child and teenager who always took the initiative—whether for environmental issues, local council concerns, or youth advocacy. He was always thinking ahead and looking for ways to contribute to his community.
A Proactive Youth and Community Contributor
At a young age, my father Syed Atiq ul Hassan while still in high school, my father opened a tutoring centre to support students and simultaneously fund his own higher education. He was determined to ensure that others in his local area—particularly those who were disadvantaged—had access to educational resources and could benefit from the knowledge he had acquired.
He also took on data entry work using a typewriter for a law firm and for the local community—another way to earn while studying. He loved playing sports, especially cricket, which was—and remains—the most popular sport in Pakistan. He spent much of his leisure time playing cricket and was actively involved with his local community cricket club.
He was always social and actively engaged in his neighbourhood, university, and broader community. He had many friends and was respected by elders for his strong character, good nature, and helpful attitude.
He participated in co-curricular activities at school, including scouts and public speaking events. During university, he was active in student associations, unions, and social welfare initiatives.
Many of his school and university friends—as well as community members from that era—describe him as a well-known figure with excellent communication skills, a strong academic background, a bright mind, and positive energy.
Beginning of a Distinguished Career and Family Life
My father’s multi-professional experience spans across numerous industries. With over 40 years of diverse expertise in IT, business management, project management, marketing, education and training, event management, journalism, and media, he began his professional career in IT in his early 20s.
In 1980, after a rigorous selection process, he was appointed to a government role at Karachi Port Trust as an Information Technology Officer (Grade 18). He was later was on track to be promoted to Grade 21—an impressive achievement at such a young age.
After securing his first job, in 1981, at the age of 23, my father married my mother, Surraya Hassan, in Karachi, Pakistan.
He had first seen her at a relative’s wedding and told his father that he would like to seek her hand in marriage. My mother, then almost 17, was also studying and lived with her widowed mother, as her own father had passed away when she was just 9. Her two elder sisters were already married.
My paternal grandfather supported the proposal, as both sides of the family already had ties. My paternal and maternal grandmothers knew each other, and my paternal grandmother’s father had grown up with my maternal grandmother. They were neighbours in pre-Partition India and spoke highly of each other and their families.
A Heritage of Knowledge and Culture – My Mother’s family
My mother Surraya Hassan belongs to the Yusufzai (Khan) family—known for its poets, writers, and religious scholars (imams). On her grandfather’s side, Moulana Mohammad Saeed Ahmed Khan was a renowned religious leader in Agra, India, who founded Madarsa Darrul Islam, an Islamic education centre, in the pre-Partition era.
Her uncles—Aqil Akbarabadi, Azam Akbarabadi, Burq Akbarabadi, Ishaq Khan Alia, and Bismil Akbarabadi—were all respected Urdu poets. One of them had the honour of presenting poetry at a 1945 event attended by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. He presented his poem to Mr Jinnah and received many medals and awards from heads of state for his literary work.
Starting a Family and Building a Life in Australia – Migration and New Beginnings
My elder brother, Sabeh ul Hassan, and I were born a few years apart after my parents’ marriage. When my brother was born, our parents and extended family were overjoyed. As the eldest son of the next generation, he was adored by everyone—especially my father, who saw him as his reflection.
When I was born as the only daughter—daughters being a blessing—our family was equally overjoyed. My father named me Sarwat, which means “wealth”, often saying, “My children are my true wealth and happiness.”
My youngest brother, Suffan ul Hassan, was born later in Australia in 1993. Being the youngest, he was deeply loved and cherished by all of us.
My parents, both young, shared a loving and respectful relationship. They were widely admired for their strong companionship, understanding, and devotion to one another and to us. They enjoyed travelling and going on outings. My father always encouraged my mother to stand beside him in his social and community work. Together, they made a remarkable team.
Although my father had a successful career in Pakistan, he and my mother saw the unstable political conditions in Karachi and the emerging global IT opportunities as a reason to explore new horizons. After much discussion, they decided to apply for skilled migration to Australia.
At the time, my father was also offered a role in the Ministry of Petroleum in the UAE, but he chose to stay in his IT role at KPT in Karachi due to his deep attachment to his homeland and family. He was initially reluctant to leave, but after speaking with his parents, he was encouraged to pursue the opportunity. His mother told him that his vision and capabilities were beyond the confines of one country, and that the world needed to witness his potential. His father agreed, saying that his achievements would benefit not just his immediate family but future generations as well.
In 1989, my father arrived in Australia as a skilled migrant and permanent resident, bringing his wife and two children. He became an Australian citizen in 1991.
Within two weeks of arriving in Sydney, he was offered a job in the IT department of NSW Police Services. My brother began Year 2, and I started Kindergarten. Our family chose to live in Lakemba, NSW—a suburb close to the Sydney CBD and home to many multicultural communities. It was a thriving area with European, Arab, Lebanese, and Anglo- Australian residents. Being a Muslim family, they appreciated being near a mosque and halal butcher.
At the time, there were very few Pakistani families in the area, and the Pakistani-Australian population was still small. My parents ensured that we settled well. They encouraged us to maintain our language, culture, and faith. They taught us to respect other cultures and complete our Quranic education from a young age.
A Community Contributor from the Start
Seeing that many migrants missed the community spirit of home and lacked a place to gather, my parents organised a multicultural event in the early 1990s at the Lakemba Uniting Church Hall. It brought together people from various faiths and backgrounds for the first time, over a shared meal.
My father quickly became a respected figure within the community. He helped newly arrived migrants settle into their homes and guided them to employment. Many international students from Pakistan also came with reference letters from back home. My grandfather, still active as a social worker in Pakistan, would tell them they could rely on his elder son for support in Sydney. My father, well-educated, already employed, and living with his family, provided invaluable guidance and support.
Despite his full-time job in IT, he would spend evenings helping others—using his own resources to support newcomers. He understood that migration came with loneliness, cultural disconnect, and longing for one’s homeland. On weekends, he would host gatherings where families could meet, eat, and share their joys.
My parents were well-regarded by migrant community members of all backgrounds, whether it be people from South Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa or Asia. My father would say: “We are all human. We must talk to one another, not look at differences, and support each other. We live in one community.”
He reminded us that we should represent Pakistan proudly while also being good citizens of our new homeland, Australia. He said we were blessed to live in a country where we could interact with people from around the world. Our faith, he reminded us, teaches us to respect others.
A Devoted Father and a Man of Resilience
Despite his demanding schedule, my father always made time for us. Every weekend, he would play tennis or cricket with us, take us to the park, or go sightseeing. At home, he always spoke to us in our native language, Urdu, and talked about family values, culture, faith, responsibilities, and our future. His advice and words still guide us to this day.
In 1992, my father’s mother—my grandmother—tragically passed away in Pakistan at the age of 49. We were in Australia at the time, and he missed being with her in her final moments. It was an immense emotional loss for him, as they were very close.
In 1993, my younger brother Suffan was born in Australia. He was named by my mother after Safa and Marwa, the two sacred hills in Makkah. That same year, my father received an offer to work for the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He and my mother saw this as an opportunity to also perform Umrah and Hajj, which they completed with us children.
During our time in Saudi Arabia, both our paternal and maternal grandparents also completed Hajj and Umrah. My father remained socially active and engaged in cultural and community events, just as he had in Australia.
The U.S. Chapter and Return to Australia
In 1994, my father was offered a role with the IT department at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He then moved to Chicago, where he worked until 1997 in the IT industry for leading firms such as Wrigley Company, Software AG, Ryerson Steel, and Ciber USA. Alongside his IT career, he became the Bureau Chief of a Pakistani newspaper in Chicago.
He never slowed down. His time was divided between IT consulting, journalism, radio commentary, charity work, and community forums. He often interviewed politicians, celebrities, and community leaders, always guided by honesty, fairness, and public interest.
Even while raising us, he encouraged reading, critical thinking, and global awareness. He taught us IT skills before they were common in homes and nurtured a passion for knowledge that stays with us to this day.
By 1997, my parents missed the peace, stability, and quality of life in Australia. Despite the prestige of being in the U.S., they chose to return to Sydney for their children’s future. My father resumed his IT consulting career with major banks and corporations in Australia while continuing his media and community work. He later also was a lecturer/teacher at major colleges, university and institutions in Australia.
A Legacy That Spans Continents
My father Syed Atiq ul Hassan was always a pioneer. He told us that Allah had blessed us with intellect and creativity, and it was our duty to use it to help others. He reminded us that Australia had given us much—and that giving back was part of our identity.
He spent 35 years working across multicultural communities to:
- Foster cross-cultural exchange
- Promote interfaith harmony
- Encourage youth participation in community development
As an international journalist, he wrote over 700 articles in English and additionally in Urdu for leading newspapers and worked as a foreign correspondent for international media outlets for TV and Radio. He represented the community in advisory panels in Australia and helped shape public policy discussions on Muslim and South Asian affairs.
On August 14, 1997—Pakistan’s 50th golden jubilee—he launched Pakistan Tribune, the first English-language newspaper for the Pakistani community in Australia. My father noticed that other communities also needed a voice, and the newspaper also covered international, local and multicultural issues. In 1999, the name Pakistan Tribune was changed to Tribune International, and was the first multicultural English newspaper, becoming the voice of multicultural Australia. It published over 15,000 articles and 500 interviews, receiving numerous awards including Best Online Publication (2015).
My parents ensuring their roots, also for their own community, tirelessly organised Pakistan Independence Day celebrations in Sydney, every year, regardless of the day it fell on, hosting hundreds of families at a free community event. My father also led the first Pakistan Day parade rally from Lakemba to Martin Place, with free buses for all attendees. I still remember delivering my fist public speech there as a child, surrounded by proud community members. At a time when the Australian Pakistani community was small but growing, these events gave us a sense of identity and belonging. My mother also at the same time focused on the women in the community and initiated the first women’s Jashn-e-Eid-Milaad-un-Nabi, Seerat un Nabi event, and a ladies Meena Bazaar event, to provide a platform for cultural connection. My parents also started Urdu classes for Adults and Children in Bankstown NSW and then in Homebush NSW in the late 90s.
Every year, my father would ensure that families and children were able to gather through these events, initiatives, and would use his own resources to organise, as he was continuing his IT work, media work, and was incredible at multi-tasking as he knew this would benefit generations to come. These were just a few of the many multicultural events, initiatives, and community development programs they organised for not just the Pakistani, but also other communities.
My father apart from his multicultural engagements, was also the founder of many Pakistani Australian community organisations, and he invited other community members to also join the organisations on volunteer basis and tried to unite the community to work towards community development and common goals.
In 2003, my father published the first book on Pakistanis in Australia, titled ‘Australia for Pakistanis – where cultures meet’, that looks at the history of early migrants, and stands as a valuable historical reference on the early immigrants and their experiences, migration stories, cultural integration, religious practices and community development. He had dedicated the book to his father, and he was very pleased, as his parents always said that he would make them proud and he carried forward their legacy. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away in 2007. In 2018, my father also published another book ‘Shanakht Kay Qaidi (Stranded in Identity)’ in Urdu language, which he dedicated to his grandfather.
He also launched a popular radio program Voice of Tribune in 1998 with my mother, published special editions for events like the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and hosted ground-breaking forums for the first time in Sydney on tough topics such as Kashmir, Terrorism, Immigration, and Community Unity. These national forums and seminars were attended by many local and state politicians, diplomats, religious, ethnic leaders, and media associates. Additionally, my father also supported a lot of fundraising events for various multicultural charitable causes, and was the first to announce support for any natural disasters such as Earthquakes, and in recent years provided additional fundraising support to the communities especially those impacted during the Covid-pandemic.
Over time, my father’s multicultural engagement increased, and he became a representative not only for the Pakistani community but for the South Asian, larger multicultural and Islamic communities, and became a community leader, and voice for all. My father was invited as a speaker in international seminars and forums in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
CREF, Halal Expo & Cultural Impact
In 1998, my parents launched Chand Raat Eid Festival (CREF) in Lakemba to recreate the joy of Eid eve for the diaspora. It has since become Australia’s largest multicultural Eid event, drawing over 40,000 visitors annually across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. It brought communities together, supported small businesses, and gave many their first platform for success.
I’ve been involved since childhood—hosting, as master of ceremony, and eventually managing the event. I, along with my brothers and mother, will continue this tradition of cultural celebration, community harmony, and interfaith respect.
In 2015, he founded the first Halal Expo Australia, with 100+ exhibitors and 10,000+ attendees. It expanded to Melbourne and attracted international delegates, strengthening Australia’s role in the global halal market. In 2016, the Halal Expo Australia over 20,000 people attended, as well as an International Halal Conference, where international speakers and exhibitors participated from all over the world. This development further solidified Australia’s position in the global halal market and provided opportunities for local and international stakeholders to collaborate and network. The event was acknowledged by the Thailand Halal Assembly, International Halal-Industry bodies, and government within Malaysia, Indonesia, being close neighbours of Australia, and my father had ongoing communication with them, and we will continue his work and mission for the Halal industry in Australia and will continue to organise these events.
Awards and Recognition
Just to name a few of the many awards, my father Syed Atiq ul Hassan received include:
- 2014 Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award (Multicultural NSW)
- Auburn Citizen of the Year (2014)
- Parramatta Senior Citizen of the Year (2018)
- NSW Premier’s Multicultural Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
- World Halal Excellence Award (2023)
- Islamic Content Creation Award (2023) – Thailand Halal Assembly
- Multiple Lifetime Community Medal finalist honours (2025)
He also published two books:
- Australia for Pakistanis – Where Cultures Meet (2003)
- Shanakht Kay Qaidi (Stranded in Identity, 2018)
Despite these accolades, his greatest pride was his family. He came home every day, spent time with us, and remained humble and grounded. He used his own money, resources to fund community projects and led a simple life. He said that if he has helped an individual, or community through his work, that is his biggest reward, more bigger than awards.
Strong Will Power and Everlasting Light
In 2017, my father began losing weight and appetite. After months of tests, he was diagnosed with lymphoma of the spleen in 2018. He battled the illness with courage, underwent chemotherapy, and recovered—only for it to return in the brain in 2019.
Again, he fought. He went through chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Few knew he was even unwell—he never stopped working for the media and community. In 2024, he was diagnosed with MDS (a post-treatment side effect), and in April 2025, was hospitalised.
On 26 April 2025, at fajr time, he passed away peacefully in hospital with us his family by his side. His siblings that reside in US and Canada were also present.
His funeral was held the same day at Lakemba Mosque, and he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery, New South Wales. His janaza was attended by people of all backgrounds.
He left this world with shahada on his lips, noor on his face, and a smile—what many believe is a sign of a pure soul.
We Will Carry His Legacy
We received hundreds of calls, visitors, and media tributes in the days that followed. His legacy is felt not only by our family but by all those he uplifted.
My brother Sabeh, an AI entrepreneur; I, a journalist and educator; and my youngest brother Suffan, a cricket coach and multicultural engagement specialist—each of us carries a part of his mission forward.
My niece Sarina, 11, proudly says she will honour her grandfather’s work. My son Ali, 8, recently told me: “Nana Abu passed away, and I wanted to tell him that I won the multicultural speech in class today—and his maths tips are helping me.”
My husband, Adil, who spent years with my father, said: “I’ve lost a mentor. I’ve never met someone so honest, humble, and sincere.”
The Journey Doesn’t End Here
My father, Syed Atiq ul Hassan, may no longer be with us—but he lives on in us. His mission will continue.
This is not the end.
It’s the beginning of a new journey.
