Dr. Kazi Tanveeruddin Uzair (may Allah shower him with His Mercy and Grant him the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus was the youngest son of Kazi Abdur Rasheed (r) and Muneerunnisa Begum (r). He was born on February 22, 1959, and passed away into the presence of his Lord on January 22, 1989 at Karachi, Pakistan. He is buried in the Army Graveyard near Gulistan-e-Jauhar in Karachi.
Uzair (r) was a marvelous person. Every person he has ever met in his lifetime remembers him with utmost fondness and admiration.
Having studied at St. Joseph's European High School, Bangalore in his primary school years, he joined Aisha Bawany Boy's School in Karachi in 1972. He then went on to complete his Intermediate from National College in Karachi in 1976. He was very popular amongst his friends and was elected as the Class Representative.
Uzair (r) was selected into Dow Medical College, Karachi in 1977. He was a good student at the medical college, and was liked by every student and teacher. In 1981, he was catapulted into a leadership position by being elected as the President of the Dow Medical College Student's Union. He won the elections with a large margin of votes.
Upon graduation in 1984, Uzair (r) decided to go to the U.S.A. to acquire specialization. However, it was not until 1984 summer that he could leave Pakistan. He went on to New York, and lived with his sister Dr. Sheema initially. He completed his internship, and opted to specialize in Pediatrics. He became one of the most popular doctors at his hospital - The Westchester Medical Center in Westchester, N.Y.
While he was working to complete his residency in Pediatrics, he also acquired degrees in Masters in Public Health and a Masters in Health Administration from New York.
During the third year of his residency, one morning in March 1988, Uzair (r) found his voice getting hoarse. He was puzzled since he did not have a sore throat. The condition continued for a few days. He examined himself in a mirror, and came to the conclusion that at least one of the nerves that controlled his tongue was not active. His tongue seemed to move to one side. He wrote in his diary that one of the causes could be a tumor. After several examinations, the neurologist concluded that 3 of his cranial nerves were involved.
Within weeks, Uzair (r) was hospitalized with a mild attack of paralysis. The doctors were puzzled initially, being unable to find the real cause. Finally, an MRI conducted in May 1988, showed a tumor-like growth in the brain stem (medulla oblongata). This could be a granulomatous or a astro-cytoma (cancerous growth). This led to a biopsy in early June, which could not confirm the extent of the cancerous nature of the astro-cytoma. They could barely get a few samples so as not to damage the nerves that passed through the stem.
The doctors at the world famous Neurological Institute of Columbia University in New York City chose to try radiotherapy. The treatment continued for 6 weeks. Uzair (r) seemed to respond positively, even though it was marginal. However, in mid-July, when the treatment was stopped, he deteriorated even faster, with his entire right body being paralyzed. The doctors gave up.
As there was no further treatment in the USA, the family decided to bring Uzair (r) back to Pakistan, so that he may spend his last days with those who loved him and who cared for him. At the end of July 1988, Uzair (r) came back to Pakistan aboard a PIA flight. Accompanying him were his dear mother (r), his sister Dr. Sheema, his brother Zulkader, his friend Dr. Khaleel, and a professional American nurse Debbie. Uzair (r) was taken on to the plane on a stretcher, which was placed over 9 seats of the aircraft. The 22-hour journey to Karachi with stops at Frankfurt and Dubai seemed never-ending.
Uzair (r) was so happy to be back home. He had been looking forward to the return home. His nikah had taken place a year and a half ago in February 1987 to Farah, daughter of Dr. Anwar and Mrs. Foqia (daughter of Ghaus Dad Khan). He had to return to the USA barely a day after the nikah took place. For him it was a fantasy. Over the months, he had written letters to her, sent her presents, and applied for her immigration to the USA. The rukhsati was supposed to take place in September 1988. When the plane landed in Karachi, Uzair (r) was all smiles, expecting to meet his bride. Alas! It was not to be.
Farah's relatives decided that she could not become Uzair's (r) bride now. Their fears were that "Had he had not been subjected to radiotherapy after all? What could be the after affects on any children they would bear if Uzair (r) does recover?" The humanitarian element was lost to them. They could not see that he was at the end of his life, and needed love and compassion. They sought a divorce instead of giving him the love he yearned for in those last few weeks of his life. Broken hearted, Uzair (r) placed his thumbprint on the divorce papers. Two months later, he expired, and returned to his Lord, the Most Merciful. May Allah have Mercy on him, and Grant him the choicest place in the Jannatul Firdaus. May Allah forgive those who caused him misery and pain during his last few weeks of life, and teach them love and compassion for humanity.
Uzair (r) had lost the use of his voice completely around 6 months or so before he died. However, his mind was completely alert. Whenever he wanted to converse, he would spell the words, or form the words with his lips. His sister Dr. Sheema in particular became an expert in lip reading, and would immediately respond.
After he returned to Karachi in August 1988, his friends and ex-professors would come to see him almost every single day. The love and respect he commanded was just simply inexplicable. Upon his death, busloads of people thronged the funeral procession. May Allah Grant him an even higher position in the Jannatul Firdaus.
inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji`un