In Loving Memory of Alhaji Abubakar Adjei Okoe Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn “Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.” “We came from Allah, and to Him we will return… the only thing we take with us are the good deeds we leave behind.” ~Alhaji Abubakar Adjei Okoe With profound sorrow, yet deep gratitude to Allah (SWT), we celebrate the life of Alhaji Abubakar Adjei Okoe—a man whose life was not merely lived, but anchored in purpose, faith, discipline, and enduring legacy. Born in Accra, Ghana, Alhaji Okoe journeyed to the United States in 1967 with vision in his heart and faith as his guide. At a time when there was little to no established Ghanaian Muslim community, he did not wait for structure—he became part of the force that built it. Through perseverance and leadership, he helped organize what would grow into a thriving community—bringing people together in moments of joy and hardship alike. From assisting with funerals when others stepped back, to helping establish gatherings, cultural traditions, and organizations such as the Haske Rasul Allah community and the broader Ghanaian network in Chicago, he lived a life of service rooted in unity. He understood early that community is not something you find—it is something you build. Alhaji Okoe was a man of unwavering faith. His belief in Allah (SWT) was not simply spoken—it was lived. He often reflected that through all of life’s trials, “nobody helped me but Allah,” a testament to his deep Iman. His devotion was so profound that he built a mosque in Ghana before completing his own home, trusting fully in divine provision—and in time, both were fulfilled. His life was marked by extraordinary discipline and work ethic. While pursuing his education, he worked tirelessly, eventually dedicating 30 years to General Motors, where he became known for his unmatched commitment—never missing a single day of work. A man of insight and conviction, he carried the wisdom of two worlds—embracing discipline and structure while preserving culture, faith, and identity. He was a protector of tradition, a builder of family, and a unifier of community. Above all, he lived with the understanding that this life is temporary, and that the only thing carried forward is one’s deeds. ________________________________________ He leaves behind a legacy carried forward by his beloved family: His devoted wife, Hajia Ummul Khair Norgah Okoe, Muhammad Okoe, and his daughter Kelly Warren, her husband Jason Warren, and their daughter Ona Warren, his great-granddaughter, Abubakar Adjei Okoe II, his wife Bria LaShone Okoe, and his daughters Adjanay Ariel Okoe and Alicia Faye Okoe, and his great-grandson Adjei Okoe, Children from his union with Manye Adorkor Rashidah, with whom he remained on good terms: Dr. Jamilah J. (Okoe) Sowemimo, her husband Musa B. Sowemimo, and their children: Farooq F. Kusi, Omar O. Sowemimo, and Maryam B. Sowemimo, Ibrahim Okoe, his wife Elikplim Okoe, and their children: Nadeem Okoe and Khaleel Okoe, Mustafa Okoe, his wife Jacqueline Okoe, and their children: Penelope Rose and their expected child, and a host of extended family, loved ones, and community members whose lives were shaped by his presence, his wisdom, and his example. ________________________________________ Though he has returned to his Creator, his influence remains—alive in the values he instilled, the community he helped build, and the generations that will continue to carry his name. We do not mourn as those without hope. We honor a man whose work here is complete. ________________________________________ From His Children Your hands built more than a life—you built a foundation we now stand on. You showed us what it meant to work without excuse, to believe without doubt, and to stand without fear. Because of you, we know who we are. Because of you, we know where we come from. Because of you, we understand what it means to carry a name with honor. We will carry your lessons forward. We will protect what you built. We will continue what you started. Your body rests… but your legacy moves. ________________________________________ We pray that Allah (SWT), the Most Merciful, forgives his shortcomings, grants him ease in his resting place, fills his grave with light, and elevates him to the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus. “O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him ease, expand his grave, and admit him into Al-Jannah Al-Firdaus.” Āmīn.