Naeem ShakirMonroe - Naeem Shakir passed away on October 7, 2017. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 11, 2017 between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home on Lamy Lane. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Lexington Avenue. Interment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.Naeem Shakir was born on January 12, 1945 into a Christian family to Amrit Shakir and Esther Talab Din in Lahore, Pakistan. Growing up in Pakistan, he developed a passion to help the underprivileged and marginalized section of society, especially the minorities. Thus, he made it his lifelong ambition to fight for the voiceless. In due order, he became a lawyer reaching the high post of Supreme Court Attorney. He became a noted political activist and respected leader of his community. He went on to place a lasting impact on how the poor, working class were treated in Pakistan. He always stood firm in his beliefs by making sure all humans are treated equally regardless of race, creed and religion. For his efforts, he was awarded the Human Rights Defender Award by the Government of Pakistan in 2012. During his 40 years of law practice, he served as defense counsel to numerous people who were persecuted solely for their religious beliefs. Even during his illness, he actively defended Aasia Bibi, a Christian who is on death row under the draconian blasphemy laws of Pakistan. He vigorously fought for the repeal of laws which discriminated against women and minorities. He laid the groundwork for equal rights for all. In his struggles, he faced many hardships and death threats for his work.This only strengthened his resolve. He continued to fight the status quo on both political and legal fronts by contributing columns to newspapers and magazines. Most of all he defended the defenseless in the courtroom. It would be unfair to mention his professional endeavors only. He was also an avid gardener.If political activism was his lifelong calling, then gardening was his love. He would be seen potting, planting, watering and nurturing his beloved plants. An immense source of pride for him were his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them. He instilled in them the importance of being ambitious for he wanted them to go on and achieve great things in life. Naeem is survived by his wife of 41 years, Beulah Shakir; two children, Uzma Shakir Roy and husband Samer Roy MD, and Khurram 'Roomi' Shakir and wife Amy Joseph Shakir; grandchildren, Jonathan Roy, Jadon Roy, Samantha Roy, Jason Roy, Emily Shakir, Ian Shakir, Sienna Roy, and Eva Shakir. Pallbearers will be Ahsan Henry, Samer Roy MD, Roomi Shakir, Bazil Joseph, Jonathan Roy, and Jadon Roy.Kilpatrick Funeral HomeMonroe, LA