[MD-AtLarge] Thank You and Obituary

Tue Jun 16 21:53:44 UTC 2026

Dear Federation Family,

I wanted to share my gratitude to you for your love and support as I've
navigated my father's illness and passing.  Many of you have reached out
through cards, texts, emails, and calls to offer support, a listening ear, a
shoulder to cry on, and delicious foods.  Others have made financial
contributions to the charity we chose to continue his legacy, and many of
you have included us in your prayer chains and services.  My family and I
are more grateful than we can say.

I'm particularly grateful to Debbie Brown and those members of the NFB of
Maryland Board of Directors who have stepped up to handle my affiliate work
while I've been unable to do so.  Because of their kindness and support, I
was able to focus on spending the end of my father's life with him and
grieve him with my family once he passed.

I'm sharing the obituary below for those who are interested in learning more
about his life and legacy.  For those who have been asking, the link to the
donation platform for the orphan homes we are building in his honor is at
the end.  

https://www.hannfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Mahmoud-Mustafa-Othman-Kiswani?ob
Id=48668715

Official Obituary of

Mahmoud Mustafa Othman Kiswani

January 4, 1951  -  May 13, 2026

Mahmoud Mustafa Othman Kiswani (Abu Zayed), affectionately known as "Yaba"
to his immediate family, a Palestinian refugee who built a life of
opportunity for his family and served generations of customers through his
neighborhood grocery store, passed away May 13, 2026 surrounded by family.
He was 75. Born on January 4, 1951, in Ramallah, Palestine, Mahmoud lived a
life defined by perseverance, humor, and unwavering devotion to his family.

Mahmoud immigrated to the United States in 1979 as a Palestinian refugee in
search of opportunity and stability for his family. In 1981, he made his
home in Burbank, Illinois, where he would remain for the rest of his life,
building a future for his family through hard work, resilience, and
determination.

As a young man in Palestine, Mahmoud worked in his family's steel mill and
on the family farm after leaving school in middle school to help support his
loved ones. He later worked transporting construction materials before
beginning a new chapter in America.

After arriving in the United States, Mahmoud worked tirelessly in
mom-and-pop stores throughout Chicago's Englewood neighborhood before
eventually purchasing and operating his own grocery shop. For many years, he
served a neighborhood that otherwise lacked reliable access to fresh food
and necessities. His store became more

than a business - it was a place where neighbors were greeted with kindness,
dignity, and generosity. Through years of hard work and sacrifice, he built
a life for his family and retired in 2019.

Despite his own limited formal education, Mahmoud deeply valued learning and
opportunity. One of his proudest accomplishments was ensuring that all seven
of his children had the chance to pursue their education and build
meaningful lives. The opportunities he worked so hard to provide continue
through the family he nurtured with love, discipline, and steadfast support.

Mahmoud married Amneh Ellayan Zayed (Om Zayed) in 1969. Together they shared
a lifelong partnership rooted in resilience and devotion to family. He was
the beloved father of Lina, Zayed (Bahija), Rola (Mousa), Abir (Jehad),
Rahaf (Ala'a), Ronza, and Abraham (Najwan). He is also survived by 25
grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother, four sisters, and
numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom were beloved.  He was preceded in
death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.

Those who knew Mahmoud will remember him as a man who could fix or build
nearly anything with his hands, whether restoring worn furniture and
equipment into treasures or building projects such as a three-seasons porch
for his family to enjoy. He found joy in gardening, working with tools, and
bringing new life to old things through patience, craftsmanship, and care.
He particularly enjoyed recycling old license plates when he needed scrap
metal, and partial letters and numbers were frequent features of his
handywork. He loved animals, building bird-feeders, and sitting outside to
watch birds and other critters. He was a quiet and steady presence whose
calm demeanor was paired with a fierce and unforgettable sense of humor. He
loved simple pleasures - cowboy films, old school Arabic music, popcorn, hot
chips, hummus sandwiches, his wife's cooking, and Monster Energy drinks -
but above all else, he loved his family.  Everything he built throughout his
life was done with them at the center of his heart.

Those who knew Mahmoud will remember his strength, generosity, humility,
humor, and deep compassion for others. He carried with him a profound love
for Palestine, an unshakable commitment to family, and a quiet dignity that
inspired all who knew him.  Though his family is heartbroken by this immense
loss, they remain grateful for the countless memories, sacrifices, lessons,
laughter, and love he leaves behind.

In keeping with Islamic tradition and Mahmoud's lifelong commitment to
helping others, the family invites those wishing to honor his memory to
contribute toward the building of an orphanage home in his name. The family
hopes this act of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) will continue his legacy
of compassion and service to those in need.

"Indeed, to God we belong and to Him we shall return."

Mahmoud was laid to rest in a private burial service on May 13, 2026,
surrounded by family, prayer, and love.

Those wishing to contribute toward the orphanage project in Mahmoud's honor
may do

so here:

Launch Good Memorial Fundraiser

https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/orphan_home_on_behalf_mahmoud_mustafa
_othman_kiswani_abu_zayed?fbclid=IwY2xjawR5wDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQclZ5M
mtpUUF1ZDhwZDI5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo1iSD3wRFqKSaDI-MZ6G
3xoVLyVv6CrU0vHeAFtGK3aaF2cMmrLWmeFFaVK_aem_U1CF535W2mC9drJ7dV0EtA
<https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/orphan_home_on_behalf_mahmoud_mustaf
a_othman_kiswani_abu_zayed?fbclid=IwY2xjawR5wDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQclZ5
MmtpUUF1ZDhwZDI5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo1iSD3wRFqKSaDI-MZ6
G3xoVLyVv6CrU0vHeAFtGK3aaF2cMmrLWmeFFaVK_aem_U1CF535W2mC9drJ7dV0EtA&utm_sour
ce=chatgpt.com> &utm_source=chatgpt.com 

May Allah envelop Mahmoud Mustafa Othman Kiswani (Abu Zayed) in His infinite
mercy, grant him the highest levels of Jannah, expand and illuminate his
grave, and grant patience and comfort to all who mourn him. Allah yirham
Yaba.

Yours,

Ronza

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Need to meet with me?   <https://calendly.com/president-nfbmd/30min> Please
use this link to schedule through Calendly.

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

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