Remembering Junaid Jamsheed Four Years After

Snapshot of Junaid Jamshed

Junaid Jamshed, also known as JJ (pronounced Jay-Jay) was a  Pakistani recording artist, television personality, fashion designer, occasional actor, singer-songwriter and Islamic preacher. Junaid Jamshed and one of his wives (Nahya Junaid) were on-board the plane that was travelling from Chitral to Islamabad but crashed in a mountainous area resulting in their deaths on the December 7, 2016.   

Junaid Jamsheed was born on the 3rd of September 1964 in Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Jamshed Akbar, was a Colonel in the Pakistani Air Force while his mother's family comes from Punjab Province.  After graduating from a local boarding high school in Lahore, Jamshed joined the PAF, initially wanting to become a F-16 fighter pilot but his weak eyesight prevented this. 

He then entered the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore where he took mathematics and physics before declaring his major in mechanical engineering. In 1990, Jamshed gained a Bachelor of Science degree, graduating in mechanical engineering. 

He was employed by the Pakistani Air-force as a civilian contractor and moved on to a short-lived career in aeronautic engineering in the science command.   

Jamshed first gained nationwide prominence and international recognition as Vital Signs' (a secular musical band) vocalist in 1987.  

After the 9/11 attacks in the United States, Hyatt and Jamshed's tours in the West struggled a lot regarding questions from Westerners about country's culture, terrorism, and music. Upon returning, Jamshed filed a bankruptcy and made an attempt to resume his career in engineering. 

It was highly reported that Jamshed has distanced himself from music and has been praying five times a day regularly at the nearby Masjid. Finally, Jamshed who had been out of practice from his engineering career for 20 years at that time, announced to open a fashion-designing company with a close friend of his. 

In 2004, Jamshed officially renounced music after announcing that he had devoted his life to Islam. Jamshed then focused on Islam and reciting nasheeds. His debut nasheed album was released in 2005 and was followed by another in 2006, 2008, and then in 2009. 

Jamshed then left engineering and, to supplement his income, he opened the clothing store "J." (read as "Jay Dot") which has outlets throughout Pakistan as well as in Houston, Dallas, Chicago and New York, selling Khaadis (a form of Kurta-Shalwar). 

Junaid Jamsheed was listed by The Muslim 500 as one of the "World's Most Influential Muslims" for his active involvement in charity work, especially with the NGO Muslim Charity since 2003. It stated that "(the) Muslim Charity has achieved a great deal under his leadership and expanded its operations to 16 countries." 

Junaid also held classes on Islamic studies in small congregations, he was not a hard-line sect follower. It would be worthy to note that Junaid Jamshed was a millionaire having a net worth of around $20million as of 2014.

Junaid Jamsheed was known to be an advocate of peace and unity among Muslims. In a song, Pak Watan, in which he was featured by Islamic artistes; Noman Shah, Abu Bakar and Anas Younus, he was they called for unity among Muslims of all sects. 

The call was backed by the notable Pakistani scholars; Mufti Muhammad Naeem, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, Mufti Muhammad Rafi Usmani and Molana Noman Naeem.

Junaid Jamsheed was on his way to deliver Jum’at Khutba at the Parliament Masjid in December of 2016 when the plane crashed. His was laid to rest at the graveyard of Darul Ulom Korangi with thousands of people attending his funeral. 

Da’es the world over offered their condolences via several means, majorly through social media platforms. He is survived by his first wife Ayesha, three sons, and a daughter. He was 52 years old. 

May ALLAH be pleased with him and him with ALLAH, Ameen.