Danish Ali/Doda

In the picturesque Chenab Valley’s Doda township in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, lives a man whose life is the epitome of service to humanity. Although a teacher by profession, Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabadi has changed the lives of many underprivileged boys and girls by leading them on the path of enlightenment through education.

Furqanabadi, 64, born in Ghat village, five km from Doda town, has been shaping young minds and uniting communities through education for four decades.

With a Master’s degree in Arabic (1989), Hafeez started teaching at the Royal Academy, a private school in Doda, after completing his 12th standard. Later, he moved on to teach Arabic, Urdu, and English at various other private institutions.

 Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabad

For him, education is not just a profession, but a mission that goes beyond official responsibilities.

His life changed after he was appointed a government teacher in 1995 and posted at the Hanch High School in Doda, where he taught Arabic, Urdu, and English.

To his shock, he found most of the classrooms half-empty -- especially of girls.

He decided to change this.

He began visiting families across Doda, urging parents to educate their daughters. “Education is not just a right — it’s a light,” he would often say.

 Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabad

Gradually, mindsets shifted. Hafeez became more than a teacher — he was a reformer, a motivator, and a beacon of change.

His dedication extended far beyond school walls. With a few close friends, Hafeez founded a charitable trust in Doda, focused on educating underprivileged children of all religions.

The trust provided free education, school uniforms, shoes, and books to the students. His home became a refuge for learning as he offered free tuition to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

In 2011, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir honoured him for his contributions by presenting him with the State’s One of the Best Teacher Award.

Perhaps what defines Hafeez Furqanabadi most is his unwavering commitment to communal harmony. In a region often marred by religious tensions, Hafeez worked tirelessly to promote Hindu-Muslim unity.

His efforts earned him respect from all communities. “He teaches humanity before anything else,” one of his former students, now a government officer, told Awaz-The Voice.

Beyond teaching, Hafeez has also made his mark as an author and poet. His three books — Tanzeel, Momin Ki Namaaz, and Intekhaab — are widely read and appreciated across Jammu for their spiritual and literary depth.

Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabad

Moreover, many of his poetic compositions are regularly recited in morning assemblies in schools throughout Jammu and Kashmir. His verses reflect not only sensitivity but also the deeply spiritual and humanistic values he lived and taught.

After a distinguished career, Mohammad Hafeez retired from government service in December 2022. His farewell was an emotional tribute, attended by hundreds of students, teachers, and community members, who shared moving stories of his life’s work — a testament to the legacy he leaves behind.

Even after his superannuation, Hafeez has been actively pursuing his mission — teaching the under, counseling, and inspiring others. He believes that one can retire only after one ceases to contribute to society. For Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabadi, that day is nowhere near.

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Mohammad Hafeez Furqanabadi stands tall in the collective memory of Doda and Jammu for his lifelong commitment to building a kinder, more educated, and more united society.