Obituaries
Ahmed Fannun Kanan
A Caring Community Builder 1928 – 2013
A
hmed Fannun Kanan passed away in Joplin, Mo. on Feb. 5, the place he made home since 1951, emigrating from Bethlehem, Palestine. He was 84. A devout Muslim, he was a leader, motivator, entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist. He was a model family man, friend, neighbor and a patriotic Muslim Palestinian American. Even at short notice, some 200 people from across Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma and beyond, gathered for his funeral. “Uncle Fannun”—as he was known to hundreds or maybe thousands of youths and adults—had touched many lives and communities in the U.S. and overseas. He had worked for many charitable causes around the globe. Many communities considered him as part of them. Kanan served in the 203rd Unit of the Missouri National Guard. Dr. Abdul Mun’im Jitmoud, principal of the Islamic Academy in Lexington, Ky., reminisces about Kanan. “I gave my first Friday Khutba at the Islamic Center of Greater Kansas City in summer 1989 on the ‘Importance of Islamic Education.’ After Salat, he (Kanan) hugged me tightly and said with tears in his eyes, ‘We will build our Islamic School together and you will find my support.’ Since then he has been true to his dedication and commitment to the Islamic School. He also took care of me in a family level. We shall miss him very dearly. We love him, but Allah loves him even more.” He loved children and supported several youth organizations and schools. The Missouri Senate recognized and honored his services to the communities in the state. Asma Rehman of Kansas City says that Uncle Fannun was a pillar of the community. “He was the uncle who always came to the 58
Ahmed Fannun Kanan (center) receives Heartland Muslim Council Leadership Award, Rushdy ElGhussein (left) and A Rauf Mir.
mosque and Islamic School with a smile and a magic trick up his sleeve that always ended in finding lots of cash behind kids’ ears.” Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah of the International African University, Khartoum, Sudan, and former ISNA president, remembers Kanan as someone who was always there to support a good cause. Upon landing in Kansas City 60 years ago, his first prayer was for God to help him build a mosque in this town. His prayer was answered in 1981 when the Islamic Center of Greater Kansas City was built. He also provided major assistance in establishing the Mid America Muslim Cemetery and the Islamic School of Kansas City. He supported mosques across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and beyond. In 2006, the Heartland Muslim Council presented him with the “Community Leadership Award.” He was appreciative and supportive of the work being done by ISNA. Kanan performed Umrah and Hajj several times. He visited the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan and in Palestine. He opened the doors of his house to accommodate some of the victims of the May 2011 catastrophic tornado in Joplin, Mo. In August 2012, when the Joplin mosque was completely destroyed due to a suspected hate crime, Kanan consoled the community. “Allah will bless us with a bigger and better mosque,” Kanan told them.
The Joplin community has drawn out plans for the new mosque, but Kanan will not be around for the groundbreaking and grand opening ceremonies. Kanan was president of Roadside Investments Inc. and the Canaan Land Development Co. He also was vice president of the former Martin Oil Co., and a board member of the Commerce Bank of Joplin. He was on the advisory board of the Missouri Southern State University. For many years, he served on the board of directors of the Ozark Center—a residential care ranch for children. His obituary in “The Joplin Globe” reported: “Fannun Kanan was a longtime presence in Joplin’s business community,” said Rob O’Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. “As an individual and with his partner, Dr. Richard Joseph, he created a number of developments that brought new business opportunities and new employment to this area. Perhaps most notable is their willingness to work with our economic development team to create a location for AT&T to bring a 600person customer contact center here a few years ago.” His wife and right-hand in his community work, Elma V. Kanan, a son Raaji Deen Kanan, and a daughter Renee J. Kanan survive him.
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(by Zulfiqar Ali Malik, Overland Park, Ks.)
Islamic Horizons May/June 2013