Biography

Baqer with his mother, brother and elder sister

Sajjadi Vafakhani Mir Baqer Ali was born on November 15, 1952 in Hydrabad, Pakistan to S.V. Mir Raza Ali and Sajida Begum.  His siblings at the time were his eldest brother S.V. Mir Anwer Ali and his elder sister Shaukat Zehra.  Some time later, his youngest sister Iffat would was born and joined them in their family.

Baqer as a child with his young sister, Iffat Zehra

He developed a loving, jolly but, according to his elder sister, slightly naughty personality at an early age.  He was also known in the family to have a soft spot for sweets.

Baqer excelled in school and actually was enrolled in sixth grade at the age of 8 and a half.  He was the youngest student in the class.  His main duty at home was to give Zuhar Azaan and would do so enthusiastically.  Being the rambunctious child he was, a regular sight would be little Baqar running in the house and at time starting Azaan while surreptitiously (or so he thought) removing his shoes.

L-R1: Baqer's Mother's Cousin, Mother, Baqer, Anwer, Shaukat. L-R2: Iffat, Baqer's Mother's Chacha, Father, Baqer's Mother's Phupa

Baqer enrolled in University of Karachi in the Microbiology.  He was the joint secretary of the University of Karachi’s student union.  He was also the secretary of the photography club.  He was very popular in school and was well liked by everyone.

Baqer and his sister, Shaukat Zehra, attended college together.

Upon graduation from the University of Karachi in 1974.  He procured a position as a lab demonstrator in Liaqat Medical College in Hyderabad.  He eventually transferred to the lab in Hoechst, a large pharmaceutical company.  At this important juncture in life, Baqer and his family also experienced the loss of their beloved mother in 1975.

Baqer emigrated to Miami, Florida in 1976 to join his older brother Anwer Ali who had settled there already.  He secured a job in Jackson Memorial hospital as a Microbiologist.  He held this position for over 30 years.  Baqer and his brother were instrumental in establishing the Shia community in Miami and would commemorate Muharram annually in their humble residences.

Baqer as a young man in Miami

He came to visit his family in Pakistan several times for his sister’s wedding and other family events.  He married Batool Fatima in 1987, in Hyderabad Sind, Pakistan.

Baqer and Batool, 1987

Shortly after this happy occasion, his father Mir Raza Ali passed away in 1988.  Shortly after this major loss, Baqer and Batool experienced happiness in 1991 with the birth of their first son – S.V. Mir Raza Ali; the namesake of Baqer’s father.  Their second beloved son, S.V. Mir Taha Ali was born in 1992.

Baqer, Raza, Taha and Batool

Baqer remained devoted to the happiness of his family and extended family, the growth of the Miami Shia community.  His impact and influence is evident through his work for the IJA and through his love for his extended family.

Communities across the world; from Miami to Maryland to Karachi became a bit quieter, a bit darker on October 11, 2010/Zilqad 2, 1431 when Baqer passed away due to a massive heart attack.  He was loved by all he knew and loved all in return.

Though his time on Earth was cut much too short, his legacy will live on through all who knew him in different facets of his life – as a wonderful son and brother, a devoted father, a loving husband, a doting uncle and a sincere friend

Please recite Surah Fatiha for S.V. Mir Baqer Ali ibn S.V. Mir Raza Ali.